Governor signs bill to allow horse slaughter plants in Oklahoma

Governor Mary Fallin today signed House Bill 1999, a bill ending the prohibition on horse meat processing for export in Oklahoma.

Fallin says, "Those of us who care about the wellbeing (sic) of horses – and we all should – cannot be satisfied with a status quo that encourages abuse and neglect, or that rewards the potentially inhumane slaughter of animals in foreign countries."

The bill strictly prohibits selling horse meat for human consumption in Oklahoma.

There are no processing facilities in Oklahoma right now. Should one open, Fallin says she'll be watching. Fallin says, "My administration will work with the Department of Agriculture to ensure it is run appropriately, follows all state and local laws, and is not a burden or hazard to the community."

The law, written by Representative Skye McNeil of Bristow, goes into effect on November 1, 2013.

The bill passed 82-14 in the House and 32-14 in the Senate.