How Ag Appropriations And $102 Billion Dollar Horse Industry
I’m Susan Allen reporting for Open Range some benefits for the horse industry in the Appropriations Act that just past the House Appropriations Committee, after the break I’ll be back to share what this means for horse owners. The Agricultural Appropriations Act that the House Appropriations Commitee recently approved, provides funding for the USDA 2012 fiscal year and contains several provisions that are beneficial to the horse Industry. On the wake of the recent EHV-1 outbreak combating contagious equine diseases will be forefront n the USDA Appropriations bill. The American Horse Council is one group that was pleased that the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will now make responding to disease outbreaks a priority given for the $102 billion dollar Horse industry . Congressman Jim Moran a Democrat from Vermont also offered an amendment to reinstate the prohibition on funding for USDA inspections at Horse slaughter facilities and it passed by 24-21. Given the fact that no slaughtering of horses for human consumption is currently occurring, this would insure plants remained closed through 2012.The Bill that must now be approved by the full House also sets funding for the enforcement of the Horse Protection at $500,000, $400,000 less than the Presidents request. For more information please visit the American Horse Council
