Congress moves to ban horse slaughter for human consumption
S. 775 — SAFE Act of 2025 · Filed by Lindsey Graham (R-SC) · 9 cosponsors · Introduced Feb 27, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill amends the 2018 Farm Bill to extend an existing prohibition on slaughtering dogs and cats for human consumption to also cover horses (equines). Currently, U.S. law bans the slaughter of dogs and cats for food; this bill adds horses to that same ban, making it illegal to slaughter horses for human consumption in the United States.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is to extend an existing animal-protection statute (the dog/cat slaughter ban) to horses. It is a straightforward animal-welfare measure with no hidden provisions or narrow beneficiaries.
What the text implies
- May affect small number of horse-processing facilities currently operating under USDA inspection; facilities would need to cease equine slaughter operations or transition to non-slaughter uses.
- Could increase domestic horse population if export markets for live horses remain open, potentially affecting pasture management and feed costs for horse owners.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
The bill extends legal protection against slaughter to horses, aligning with widespread public sentiment against horse slaughter and reflecting evolving animal-welfare standards. Citizens who oppose horse slaughter gain a legal guarantee; no citizen loses an existing right or protection.