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ILLINOIS GOVERNOR PERMANENTLY BANS HORSE SLAUGHTER
SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation that bans the
slaughter of horses in Illinois for human consumption. House Bill 1711, sponsored
by State Representative Robert S. Molaro (D-Chicago) and State Senator John
Cullerton (D-Chicago), bans importing or exporting horsemeat if any horsemeat will
be used for human consumption.
“It’s past time to stop slaughtering horses in Illinois and sending their meat overseas.
I’m proud to sign this law that finally puts an end to this practice,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
The Governor announced his support for the legislation after hearing from advocates,
including Bo Derek, actress and longtime activist for the protection of horses, in April.
Violations of the new state law are punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of $1,500.
“People were selling horses not knowing that they were being used and treated like livestock
and ended up on the slaughter room floor,” said Sen. Cullerton. “This bill will ensure that
using horses for the purpose of human consumption is illegal throughout the State of Illinois
just as it is in 48 other states in the nation.”
“I am grateful to my colleagues and the Governor for joining with me in ending this shameless
slaughter of these beautiful animals for the sole purpose of ensuring fine dining in European
restaurants,” said Rep. Molaro.
“There is no domestic market for horsemeat and, therefore, no need for this practice to
continue in Illinois,” Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said. “Meat from the slaughtered
horses is being shipped overseas to places like Belgium, France and Japan.”
Illinois is home to the sole remaining horse slaughterhouse in the United States, Cavel
International in DeKalb. Two other horse slaughterhouses in the country, both in Texas,
closed earlier this year after an appellate court rejected their appeals of a lower-court
ruling that the plants were operating in violation of Texas state law.
“As both a horsewoman and a compassionate person, I applaud the resolve of the people of
Illinois to end the cruel, bloody trade in horsemeat,” said actress Bo Derek. “My family
hails from the State of Illinois and I know they would be proud of the actions taken on
behalf of our horses by Gov. Blagojevich, Rep. Molaro and Sen.Cullerton.”
“With a stroke of his pen, Gov. Blagojevich has brought the brutal slaughter of horses
in the United States to an end. Hereafter, may we only hear of horse slaughter recounted
in history books as a sign of how we have progressed in our treatment of these majestic
animals,” said Chris Heyde, deputy legislative director for the Society for Animal
Protective Legislation.
“On behalf of our national coalition that includes thousands of Illinois horse owners,
we are deeply grateful to Gov. Blagojevich, Rep. Molaro, Sen. Cullerton, and all members
of the Illinois General Assembly who have worked so hard to pass this essential legislation
to protect horses from the cruel practice of horse slaughter,” said Gail Vacca of Top
of the Hill horse farm in Wilmington. “Illinois horse owners are proud today in the knowledge
that our state legislature has set the bar in raising the standard for the humane treatment
of our nation’s horses.”
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It is estimated that between 120,000 and 200,000
horses will be killed for human consumption per year!