This bill makes it illegal to slaughter horses, mules, and other equines for human consumption in the United States. It goes further than current law, which only protects dogs and cats—this new law extends that same protection to horses and mules. The ban covers not just the actual slaughter, but also the buying, selling, transporting, and donating of these animals if the purpose is to have them slaughtered for food. Anyone who breaks this law can be fined. The only exception is for Native Americans who may use equines for religious ceremonies. Right now, there are no horse slaughter facilities operating in the U.S. anyway because the government has been blocking the funding needed to inspect them, but this bill would make the ban permanent and official rather than relying on yearly budget decisions.

SAFE Act of 2023

Menendez, Robert

Save America's Forgotten Equines Act of 2023 or the SAFE Act of 2023 This bill permanently prohibits the slaughter of equines (e.g., horses and mules) for human consumption. (Current law prohibits the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption. This bill extends the prohibition to equines.) Specifically, this bill prohibits a person from knowingly <ul> <li>slaughtering an equine for human consumption; or </li> <li>shipping, transporting, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donating an equine to be slaughtered for human consumption or equine parts for human consumption.</li> </ul> The bill subjects a violator to a fine. The bill applies to conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. However, it does not apply to an activity carried out by an Indian for a religious ceremony. In recent years, appropriations acts have prohibited the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from using federal funds to inspect horses before they are slaughtered for human consumption. Therefore, there are currently no USDA-inspected horse slaughter facilities in the United States.