Take care of our horses [electronic resource]. : commercial transportation of equines to slaughter

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United States
Department of
Agriculture

Animal and
Plant Health
Inspection
Service

Program Aid
Number 1682

USDA

Take Care of
Our Horses

Commercial
Transportation of
Equines to Slaughter

TRANSPORT HORSES

HUMANELY

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), has
established regulations for the commercial trans-
portation of equines for slaughter. This action fulfills
APHIS' responsibility under the 1996 farm bill to reg-
ulate the commercial transportation of horses for
slaughter within the United States. The language
was included in the bill after Congress determined
that horses being transported to slaughter have
unique and special needs. The intent of this leaflet
is to focus on those sections of the regulations that
will affect you, the owner or shipper.

The Regulations

These regulations establish minimum standards to
ensure the humane treatment of horses by requiring
the owner or shipper to take certain precautions in
loading and transporting them for slaughter. The
owner or shipper must also ensure that all vehicles
used for commercial transportation of horses for
slaughter meet specific requirements.

The use of commercial vehicles considered
unsuitable to carry equines is prohibited as is the
use of electric prods. The final rule on humane
transport of horses to slaughter was published in the
Federal Register (Docket No. 98-074-2) on
December 7, 2001 . Five years from that date, the
use of double-deck trailers will be prohibited. This
rule also stipulates that food, water, and rest must
be provided for each animal prior to shipment to the
slaughter plant.

Scope of the Rule

The rule governs how equines must be commercially
transported to slaughter and affects not only the
owner or shipper of the horses but also the vehicle
driver. The rule covers what must be done prior to
the actual transport from the sale barn or feedlot in
terms of feeding and watering the animals. It deals
with segregation of the animals (e.g., stallions and
aggressive mares who kick and bite other, less
aggressive animals) as well as the amount of time
an equine can be confined without food and water.
The rule also covers certain documents that must be
issued before the journey begins and what happens
when the delivery is made at the slaughtering plant.
Finally the rule addresses civil penalties for failure to
comply with the regulations.

I Requirements for Transport

Prior to the commercial transportation of horses to a
slaughtering facility, the owner or shipper must:

■ Give each horse an opportunity to eat and drink
for a period of not less than 6 consecutive hours
immediately before loading the animal in the
vehicle.

■ Apply a USDA backtag to each horse in the ship-
ment with a bar code and a production date.
(Backtags are available at recognized slaughter-
ing establishments or from APHIS personnel.)

■ Complete and sign an owner/shipper certificate
that includes the name, address, and phone
number of the shipper and receiver (slaughter
plant) and the transporting vehicle's license and
registration number.

■ Certify that each horse is able to bear weight on
all four limbs, is not blind in both eyes, is able to
walk unassisted, is not a mare that is likely to foal
during the trip, is older than 6 months, and has
had access to food, water, and rest for 6 consecu-
tive hours before being loaded into a vehicle.

■ Document identifying marks (brands, tattoos,
scars, etc.).

■ Document breed, color, and sex.

■ Document any preexisting condition of the animal
prior to shipment to prove the condition did not
occur during transport.

Falsification of any certificate or document is a
criminal offense and may result in a fine of up to
$10,000 or imprisonment for not more than 5 years,
or both.

Requirements at the Slaughter P'^^it^^H

The driver must not leave the slaughter plant
premises until the equines have been examined by
a USDA representative. If the driver arrives at the
plant outside of regular business hours, he or she
can leave the premises but must return to meet the
USDA representative during regular business hours.
For example, if the truck arrives on Sunday night, the
driver must return Monday morning to meet a USDA
inspector and provide the signed owner/shipper cer-
tificate(s). The Government inspector will collect
each certificate, examine each equine, and match
the certificate(s) with the equine and its backtag.

Special Circumstances

In the event a horse becomes incapable of walking
en route, the owner or shipper must have the animal
euthanized by an equine veterinarian. If a horse dies
en route, the owner or shipper must contact the
nearest APHIS office as soon as possible. If a
Federal veterinarian is not available, the owner or
shipper should contact an equine veterinarian in that
vicinity.

Delivery Outside the United States,
e.g., Canada

Canadian inspectors at the border will examine each
owner/shipper certificate. However, the document
will be provided at the slaughter plant only to the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency representative. If
there are any discrepancies between a particular
horse and the information about it on the certificate,
the discrepancies will be noted and the animal will
be returned to USDA for followup.

Civil Penalty

Initial violation of the final rule is subject to a fine of
up to $5,000 per horse. For example, if there are
three violations in one trailer on three horses, the
fine could be as much as $45,000.

For Additional Information

If you have questions or need more information,
contact

Dr. Timothy R. Cordes, USDA Slaughter Horse
Program Leader, (301) 734-3279

Betsy J. Sillers, USDA Slaughter Horse Program
Specialist, (301)734-8711

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits dis-
crimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of
race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability,
political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family sta-
tus. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at
(202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director,
Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building,
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Issued January 2002