How will the Government Shutdown Impact the Horse Industry?

Since Congress has failed to pass any of the annual appropriation bills that fund government agencies and projects for the 2014 fiscal year (October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014), "non-essential" government operations have not been allocated any funds for 2014. As expected, the Federal Government shutdown at midnight on October 1st, 2013, causing many public service and recreation programs to close. For the horse industry, the shutdown impacts vital components to keeping the industry safe and effective for all horses and participants. 

• Without proper funding, the U.S Department of Agriculture's (USDA) response to disease outbreaks is significantly delayed (if not stopped all together), potentially putting the lives of thousands of horses and humans in danger. 
• The USDA is also responsible for the enforcement of the Horse Protection Act and for the regulation of equine slaughter transportation programs. The shutdown greatly effects its ability to ensure the ethical treatment and safe transportation of thousands of horses to foreign markets in Mexico and Canada. 
• In addition, procedures for the import and export of horses, are severely limited and ill-equipped to deal with the transportation of horses that must be quarantined for public health and safety reasons. 
• Lastly, many equestrians depend on federal parks and programs for equine recreation, and without finds, government employees are not present at the parks to keep them open to the public. 

All of the factors of the government shutdown can, and will, have profound effects on the horse industry. If  funds are not allocated and agreed upon quickly, the equine industry could become less effective at preventing and curing foreign diseases, lose millions of dollars in recreational events, and leave federal parks empty.

If one industry can be this negatively effected, imagine what the effects could be on the entire U.S. economy.

For more information: http://www.horsecouncil.org/government-shutdown-could-impact-horse-industry