WASHINGTON, DC (Feb. 14, 2006) — Six national humane groups representing over 9.5 million members and several individuals filed a complaint in federal court today against Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and Food Safety and Inspection Service Administrator Barbara Masters, challenging the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to create a “fee-for-service” inspection system that facilitates the continued transport and slaughter of tens of thousands of American horses for human consumption abroad each year.

This action by the USDA is in direct contravention of an amendment to the 2006 Agriculture Appropriations Bill that prohibits tax dollars from being used to fund the federally mandated inspection of horses for slaughter (beginning March 10, 2006), the Animal Welfare Institute, Society for Animal Protective Legislation (SAPL), Doris Day Animal League, The Humane Society of the United States, the Fund for Animals, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, American Humane Association, and the individual co-plaintiffs charge.

"There is a growing frustration among the public and members of Congress with this blatant disregard for a law overwhelmingly passed by the Congress and signed into law by the President," said Chris Heyde, SAPL deputy legislative director. "The US Congress clearly responded to the American publics’ demand for an end to slaughter and the USDA is choosing to violate this act to shelter three foreign owned slaughterhouses."

The USDA action not only flouts Congressional intent in enacting the amendment, but violates other federal legal mandates and abrogates the public’s right to comment on such important matters by making the decision with no advance public notice and comment, the groups say.
“The executive branch is not in the position to interpret law when the intent of Congress is clear. Proponents and opponents of the Amendment were united in their statements that this measure was and is intended to end the slaughter of America’s horses for a fiscal year beginning March 10, 2006,” said Heyde.

Meanwhile, Members of Congress have introduced the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503 and S. 1915) in both chambers in an attempt to achieve a permanent ban on the practice of horse slaughter for human consumption.

The organizations and individuals bringing this suit on behalf of their members and constituents are represented by Meyer, Glitzenstein and Crystal, a public interest law firm in Washington, D.C.

CONTACT:

Chris Heyde, SAPL deputy legislative director: (703) 836-4300