A U.S. House judiciary subcommittee on Thursday heard testimony from animal rights activists while considering a bill that would outlaw the sale and shipment of horses for processing for food.

With no horse slaughterhouses in operation in the United States, horses are sent to Canada and Mexico for processing. There are currently seven licensed horse slaughterhouses in Canada. The horse-slaughter business in the country has increased 75 per cent since the U.S. outlawed the practice for human consumption in 2006. The meat is typically consumed in Europe and Asia.

Critics suggest undesirable horses may suffer neglect should the bill become law. Work and race horses that are past their prime can be placed in humane resting places but this is an expensive option.

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