SAFE Act and Horse Slaughter Update

The AHC is reviewing the current status of horse slaughter in the United States and the SAFE Act. Various versions of the SAFE Act (currently H.R. 3475) have been introduced since 2013. All versions of the SAFE Act propose banning the transport and slaughter of equines for human consumption. The current version proposes to amend section 12515 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 which will add “equines” to the current prohibition on slaughter of dogs and cats. There is currently discussion at the federal level of attaching the SAFE Act to the Farm Bill.

Previous versions of the SAFE Act have proposed amending the Horse Protection Act.

The AHC does not maintain a position on horse slaughter or the SAFE Act as its members have very wide ranging opinions on the topic.

The review is examining the current laws in the US both at the federal and state level concerning horse slaughter, what passing of the SAFE Act would do legally, and impact considerations that should be accounted for before finalization of any new laws.