Horse Slaughter – From the U. S. to Canada…
An Award-Winning Documentary Film “From the Kill Pen.” Exposing the Horse Slaughter Pipeline from the U. S. to Canada.
“Horses! We have a history!”
As a journeyman cook for over 30 years I’ve never prepared horse meat.
To be practical, I suppose there’s no difference between eating horse meat and enjoying chicken, beef or salmon. No difference between killing an old cayuse and carefully dropping a lobster headfirst into a pot of steaming water.
If you chose to eat meat at all, then you’re part of the killing process. In fact, I’d say there’s more honesty and truth in hunting and killing your own dinner than in eating a burger at a fastfood outlet. And pretending that you’re not involved in the slaying of an animal.
But here’s why I have such an emotional response to the whole concept of rounding up horses for the slaughterhouse. I grew up in Harness Racing Country north of Saint John, New Brunswick. As a kid, I loved those horses, the barns, the stables, the pastures, hayfields, all the people involved. Just being around the big animals was joyful. Heck, you could earn a quarter for walking a trotter after a race. I’d have paid them for the fun of doing it.
And being a Boomer, I grew up with Westerns.
Every B-Western hero had his noble steed. Champion, Trigger, Buttermilk, Loco, Silver, Scout. Sergeant William Preston of the Yukon had his dark chestnut Rex for summer patrols. Even Deputy Marshal Festus Haggan had his ornery ol’ mule, Ruth.
Most horses aren’t “pets n family” the way our cats and dogs are, but that relationship is there, just as strong, just as loving. Horses! We have a history!
There’s been talk of banning horse slaughter in Canada as our more advanced American friends have effectively done (due to an underfunding at the meat inspection level).
But as of this writing our new Liberal gov hasn’t exactly strained at the bit to get it done. Even so, there’s been a steady decrease in rounding up horses in Canada. Right now, 60% of horses slaughtered in Canadian meat plants are imported from the States.
Some of the horse meat is sold to the pet food industry. Who refer to it in the ingredients list as “animal by-product.” But the choice cuts are shipped out for human consumption, mostly to Japan and France.
Now there’s that stirring Doc from south of the border that’s kicking up such a fuss…
Los Angeles based Synergetic Distribution has announced the release of the award-winning film, “From the Kill Pen,” now available on multiple platforms, including Amazon Video, Vudu, iTunes, and Google Play.
The Kill Pen & Horse Slaughter — It’s Big Business
Fact-driven and without gratuitous violence, “From the Kill Pen” exposes the widespread overbreeding and clandestine meat distribution cycle. A cycle which has allowed tainted horsemeat to enter the human food chain — activity which has been operating under the radar for years.
“Horse slaughter is not happening in this country. But most Americans are completely unaware that approximately 150,000 American horses are still rounded up each year and shipped to Canada and Mexico. Where they are killed and their carcasses sold to international meat distributors,” says director Sharon Boeckle.
Horse slaughter is currently technically legal in the United States. Language in the federal budget, however, prohibits funds from providing required inspections at horse slaughter facilities. And this prohibition has kept horse slaughter on American soil at bay. Ever since it was implemented in 2007, during the President George W Bush administration.
But horse advocates across the nation are growing concerned that the current administration may choose to overturn that in the next federal budget. Which is scheduled for review in the coming months.
“In making this film, Sila Productions has performed an invaluable service to equines and those who love them. By seeing the truth, people will finally be able to judge from a position of knowledge,” says John Holland, President of the Equine Welfare Alliance.
“From the Kill Pen” includes in-depth interviews with some of the nation’s leading experts on the subject. These include Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico. Keith Dane of the Humane Society. Journalist Vickery Eckhoff. And Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Patrick Meehan, co-sponsors of the Safeguard American Food Exports Act. If this act is passed it would install a permanent ban not only on horse slaughter in the United States, but also the shipping of American horses elsewhere for slaughter.
“We applaud this hard-hitting, passionate, and revealing expose,” says Sonja Meadows of Animals Angels. “From the Kill Pen is a compelling, intelligent documentary that clearly exposes and lays bare the stark realities behind horse slaughter. It’s a must-see film.”
“‘From the Kill Pen‘ is the ‘Blackfish‘ for America’s horses,” says Jane Blais of the Safe Food Safe Horses Coalition. The coalition is currently fighting for the passage of the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 113.)
The film’s release coincides with the upcoming annual federal budget renewal process set to commence soon. The hope is that the film will raise awareness and inform the public on the issue before it’s too late.
For more information on the film and its availability, visit www.fromthekillpen.com.
UPDATE: March 1, 2024. The Battle Continues! For the latest on the inhuman war on Horses see HORSE PROTECTION DAY: Helicopter Roundups, Wild Horses & Kill Pens.
“Horses! We Have A History!” Do You Agree With This Post?
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Source: Synergetic Distribution, PRNewswire & Civilized Bears.
Horse Slaughter Pipeline from America to Canada – Horse Meat.
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