American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) President William Moyer, DVM, issued the following statement on June 27 in response to the recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report examining horse welfare since the end of domestic slaughter in 2007:

"The AAEP appreciates Congress requesting the GAO analyze the effect of the closing of processing plants on the nation’s horse population. This attention from the federal government further emphasizes the seriousness of this issue to America’s horses.

"As doctors of veterinary medicine, we agree with the GAO’s conclusions regarding the unintended consequences of the domestic slaughter ban. The reported increase in horse neglect and abandonment combined with the lack of placement options for horses that can no longer be cared for by their owners has been and continues to be a significant equine welfare challenge facing the equine industry.

"Regarding the GAO’s recommendations, the lack of federal funding for the USDA’s transport oversight program cripples the agency’s ability to properly protect horses that are shipped to processing facilities. Eliminating the funding for inspecting this population of horses has, as outlined by the GAO report, decreased the welfare of these horses. Our association supports the return of funding to the USDA. The AAEP feels it is equally important that the USDA quickly issues its final rule on transport regulations so the agency’s oversight will extend to more of the transportation chain for horses shipped to slaughter