Just like last year, a dangerous provision in the annual federal budget proposal has reappeared.
If allowed to remain, the fiscal year 2027 (FY27) budget will include “transfer authority” language which ends in outcomes for wild horses and burros overwhelmingly opposed by Americans.
This language opens the door to:
- Allow the transfer of wild horses to foreign countries, including those with active slaughter industries; and
- Remove the long-standing ban on the killing of healthy wild horses and burros.
It’s very clear that the American public does not support horse slaughter. And there is strong support to never send wild horses out of the country where their fate is both uncertain and very likely inhumane.
Management of America’s wild horses and burros should not include options for mass removal or slaughter… EVER!
Humane, proven and safe fertility control has been successful yet underutilized. Add in more responsible stewardship of our taxpayer funded public lands and these two things alone create more of a win-win for the wild herds.
Take note that the transfer of wild horses to approved foreign countries includes countries with active commercial slaughter industries. And again, the proposal also removes the long-standing ban on killing healthy wild horses and burros.
UNACCEPTABLE!
Advocates should promote the following:
- Stop roundups and scale up fertility control;
- Return wild horses and burros to their native ranges on public lands provided to them by the 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horses & Burros Act; and
- Phase out holding facilities and invest in humane and proven cost-effective alternatives.
CONTACT CONGRESSIONAL OFFICIALS NOW
Tell your lawmakers to reject the FY27 budget’s slaughter proposal and fund humane, on-the-range wild horse conservation measures with regard to our wild horse and burro herds.
Locate your elected members of Congress:
Senate: www.senate.gov
House of Representatives: www.house.gov