Willie Nelson
Apr 19, 2010
Country legend Willie Nelson recently took a stand against a bill that would allow horse slaughterhouses and processing plants in Tennessee. The bill was passed on April 8th, by a House subcommittee with a 7-6 vote, despite Nelson's efforts.
Nelson brought along his daughter Amy and granddaughter Raelyn to help with make a stand against the bill. Nelson is now working to push a bill called the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act through Congress. This legislation, if passed, would make it illegal to transport horses in or out of the country to slaughter or process for food.
Tennessee State Representative Frank Nicely and Nelson recently had words over the bill, which Nicely said is inhumane. Nicely contends that his bill is needed because without processing plants, unwanted horses that could die as a result of neglect.
"People like Willie have caused more horse pain and more suffering, and they're well intentioned," Nicely said. "Oftentimes people with good intentions cause the most problems."
"If somebody in Europe wants to pay me a thousand dollars and eat that horse, what's the difference between doing that or me killing it and letting the worms eat it," Niceley added.
"Something's going to eat it. It's either going to be worms or people."
Nelson thinks foreign-owned companies that take horsemeat and sell it overseas to diners are the ones that really benefit from horse slaughter
"He wants folks to believe it is more humane to allow buyers to travel around our great country purchasing healthy, wanted horses, then haul them to Tennessee to be slaughtered for human consumption," said Nelson.
There have not been any horse processing plants operating in the U.S. for the past few years because the Department of Agriculture inspectors aren't being allowed to complete necessary examinations to license plants while legislation is pending. Even with a state measure being passed, federal inspectors will have to resume issuing licenses for plants to commence operation.
Both Nicely and Nelson say they love horses and they both own rescues horses. Willie has a ranch in Luck, TX and Nicely has horses on his East Tennessee farm.
For more on Willie Nelson, see www.willienelson.com. Check out a letter that Willie wrote to The Tennessean about horse slaughter at www.tennessean.com/article/20100408/OPINION03/4080321/1009.
By Karen Goodner