SENATE BILL 67

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Steve Komadina

AN ACT

RELATING TO ANIMALS; PROHIBITING THE SLAUGHTER OF HORSES IN NEW MEXICO; PROHIBITING THE POSSESSION OR IMPORTATION OF HORSE MEAT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION; PROVIDING FOR LICENSE REVOCATION; PRESCRIBING CRIMINAL PENALTIES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. A new section of The Livestock Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] SLAUGHTER OF HORSES OR POSSESSION OR IMPORTATION OF HORSE MEAT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION UNLAWFUL--PENALTIES--EXCEPTION.--

          A. It is unlawful for any person in New Mexico to slaughter a horse.

          B. It is unlawful for any person in New Mexico to possess or import horse meat if that person knows or should know that any of the meat is intended for human consumption.

          C. Any person who violates the provisions of Subsection A or B of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment for a definite term of less than one year or the payment of a fine of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or both such imprisonment and fine.

          D. In addition to the criminal penalty provided for in Subsection C of this section, any person who is licensed by the board as a butcher, slaughterer or slaughtering establishment; cold storage plant operator; or seller, dealer, peddler, manufacturer or processor of fresh meat or meat products who is found guilty of violating the provisions of Subsection A or B of this section shall have his license revoked.

          E. Nothing in this section prohibits a horse from being euthanasized and then rendered for dog food or other products that are not intended for human consumption."

     Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2005.

- 2 -