Legislative News Reporter Natalie Neumann found out what concerned the Senate on the bill and you can listen to her report here or with the player below.
The bill says a state court may not issue an injunction stopping or delaying the construction of an equine slaughter or processing facility. Democrat Dave Wanzenried of Missoula says the bill would create a special protection that is not necessary.
“For those of you who want to form a slaughterhouse. Form it, do it right. Do it according to the regulations you say you are going to abide by but don’t hamstring the legal process that something on it’s face, and i’m not an attorney, would appear not to be constitutional.”
Bill supporter Republican Senator Taylor Brown of Huntley says the issue of horse slaughter is hard to deal with because there is so much human emotion involved. Some opponents say their are other ways to dispose of unwanted horses. Rick Ripley, a Republican from Wolf Creek agrees there are other ways to dispose of horses, but they are limitted.
“Not everybody takes the responsibility, personal responsibility to properly dispose of their horses. They turn them lose. They leave them to starve to death.”
Some senators are concerned that horse meat could contain medication administered to horses that are harmful for human consumption. The Food and Drug Administration has no horse meat inspectors. Missoula Senator Carol Williams says no other state in the country wants to get into the horse slaughter business.
“Why do we? Why do we want to sully the reputation we have as Montana’s brand name with putting a slaughter house in Montana.”
Supporters of the bill say a facility would be good for the states economy. The bill passed on a 27 to 23 vote.
- newwest.net, by Natalie Neumann, UM Legislative News Service