OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2018

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 12, 2018
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Animals and Wildlife

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

I rise in support of H.R. 6720, the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2018.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my colleague, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Abraham) and this bipartisan legislation. The Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act calls for an end to the global dog and cat meat trade.

Sixty-eight percent of Americans own pets. We treat our pets as members of the family. That is why I am surprised to learn that we don't already have a law on the books that prevents the killing of dogs and cats for their meat.

While this remains an extremely rare issue in the United States, the practice does occur elsewhere in the world. By passing this bill, Congress will outlaw the slaughter and transfer of dogs and cats for human consumption in the United States.

The farm bill currently in conference includes similar language from both the House and the Senate, so regardless of what our colleagues across the Hill do on this important issue, we can send an important message today.

With this legislation, we have the chance to be a leader and set an example for those countries in which the cat and dog meat trade is most prevalent, including South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, China, and elsewhere. By passing this bill, we draw a clear line on this issue and send a message to the world that we will hold countries who abide this practice accountable.

It should be pointed out that while prohibiting the killing of dogs and cats for food may be seen as a no-brainer, this legislation does take a sensitive approach to the issue with regard to the diverse cultural practices within our great Nation.

I appreciate the work of the two gentlemen from Florida, Messrs. Buchanan and Hastings, and their leadership on this issue. It is an opportunity to come together, and we should be united in our opposition to this unconscionable practice.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 6720, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward