S.775 - Save America’s Forgotten Equines Act of 2025; SAFE Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act of 2025 (S.775) aims to amend the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to prohibit the slaughter of equines for human consumption. The bill, introduced in the Senate, seeks to extend existing protections for dogs and cats to include equines. This would effectively ban horse slaughter within the United States and prevent the export of horses for slaughter abroad.
The proposed legislation directly amends Section 12515 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, specifically 7 U.S.C. 2160. The amendment involves changing the section heading and subsection (a) to include “equines” alongside “dogs” and “cats”.
The bill is currently referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for consideration.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of the SAFE Act would be to outlaw the slaughter of horses for human consumption within the United States. This would prevent the establishment or operation of horse slaughterhouses domestically.
Additionally, it would likely impact the export of American horses to other countries where equine slaughter is practiced. This could lead to changes in the horse industry, potentially affecting breeding, sales, and retirement practices.
Passage of the bill may also lead to increased costs for horse owners, as they would need to find alternative means of care for unwanted or aged horses.
Potential Benefits
- Animal Welfare: The bill directly promotes animal welfare by preventing the inhumane slaughter of horses.
- Public Perception: It aligns with the values of many Americans who view horses as companion animals rather than livestock.
- Prevents inhumane treatment: Prevents the inhumane treatment of animals during slaughter.
- Protects the image of the US: Improves the image of the US as a country that values animal welfare.
- Reduces negative externalities: Reduces negative externalities associated with horse slaughter, such as environmental pollution.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Economic Impact on Horse Industry: Could negatively impact certain segments of the horse industry, such as those involved in horse sales for slaughter.
- Increased Costs for Horse Owners: May increase costs for horse owners who can no longer sell horses for slaughter, leading to potential neglect or abandonment.
- Unintended Consequences: Could lead to an increase in unwanted horses if owners cannot afford to care for them.
- Limited Economic Benefit: Provides limited or no direct economic benefit to the majority of the American population.
- Enforcement Challenges: Enforcement of the ban could present challenges, requiring additional resources and oversight.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The SAFE Act appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to promote animal welfare, which can be seen as contributing to the overall well-being of society. However, the Constitution does not explicitly address animal rights or welfare.
There are no apparent conflicts with specific constitutional provisions, such as the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8) or the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment, as the bill does not directly regulate interstate commerce or involve the taking of private property.
While the Constitution does not mandate animal protection, the SAFE Act can be viewed as a permissible exercise of legislative power to address a perceived societal need, falling within the broad scope of Congress's authority to enact laws for the general welfare.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).