- Secured language in USDA appropriations bill committee report that highlights the threat of contagious equine diseases to the horse industry and directs USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to make responding to such outbreaks a priority.
- Submitted comments opposing the Department of Labor’s proposed rule governing the H-2B program temporary guest worker program.
- Worked with a broad coalition to repeal the new 1099 reporting requirement that would have placed a costly and time consuming burden on horse businesses and farms.
- Secured an increase in funding for enforcement of the Horse Protection Act to $696,000, an increase of $196,000 from FY2011.
- Successfully pushed the USDA to tighten regulations under the Commercial Transport of Equines to Slaughter Act. The changes will provide greater protection to horses that are first transported to intermediate collection points, such as assembly points, feedlots, or stockyards.
- Supported USDA’s proposed changes to the Horse Protection Act that would require horse industry organizations to impose minimum USDA-established penalites for soring. These changes were adopted in 2012.
- In response to the 2011 Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) outbreak, requested the USDA coordinate data collection, dissemination, and communication efforts among state and federal veterinarians in order to mitigate the health and economic implications of further EHV-1 transmission. This resulted in the formation of the EHV-1 Response Team, which helped to minimize the health and economic impacts of the outbreak and bring the incident to a quick conclusion.
- Submitted comments on the Forest Service’s proposed planning rule. The Forest Service planning rule will be used to guide individual forests in setting policies over the next 15 to 20 years
The American Horse Council is a Guidestar Silver Participant
The AHC believes that the more opportunities available to use horses in various activities, the better the overall health of the industry and those who participate.
1775 Tysons Blvd
5th Floor
Suite 6110
McLean VA, 22102
General Phone: 202.296.4031
E-Mail: info@horsecouncil.org