Congress Moves Fiscal Cliff The country went over the "fiscal cliff" in early
January, but, like a bungee jumper, after a short fall it was pulled back up to
the precipice. Congress' passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012
broke the Congressional impasse and got the country past the tax increases and
funding cutbacks that were scheduled to kick in on January 1 that became known as the Fiscal Cliff. But
really, the cliff was only moved. Read MoreAHC Urges Horse Community to Take Part in USDA Agricultural
Census
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is preparing to conduct
its 2012 USDA Census of Agriculture. Horses will be included in the Census.
Every five years, USDA conducts an agriculture census to determine the number of
U.S. farms and ranches and gather vital information about U.S agriculture,
including the horse community. The census is a valuable tool to help the USDA
determine land use and ownership, livestock populations, operator
characteristics, production practices, farm income as well as other important
information. Read More USDA Adopts Animal
Disease Traceability Program In
a move that many thought would never happen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture
instituted its Animal Disease Traceability Program on January 9, 2013. The system, which will become effective
March 11, is intended to improve
USDA's and state authorities' ability to trace livestock, including horses, in
the event of a disease outbreak. The new system applies to all livestock moving
interstate. Read More 113th Congress Begins, Welcomes Many New Members
On January 3, new Members
of Congress were sworn into office and the 113th Congress officially began.
Last year's election did not change the balance of power in Washington very
much; the Democrats still control the White House and Senate, while the
Republicans control the House of Representatives. However, the election does
mean there are many new faces in Washington. This year there are 84 new
Representatives, 49 Democrats and 35 Republicans, as well as 12 new Senators, 8
Democrats, 3 Republicans, and 1 independent. Read More Unwanted Horse Coalition's
Operation Gelding Castrates 208 Stallions in 2012
The Unwanted Horse Coalition's (UHC)
Operation Gelding program finishes 2012 with a total of 208 stallions castrated
just this year. Almost 600 stallions have been castrated since the first
Operation Gelding clinic in September
2010. Read More
September
24, 2012
AHC is Rounding Up New Listings and
Advertisers for
the 2013 Horse Industry Directory
The American Horse
Council (AHC) has announced that it will be offering a new section for 'Equine
Businesses' in its 2013 Horse Industry Directory. Now yourequine business can be included in the most complete equine
related registry and will reach the horse industry's most diverse audience.
This new section will include:
attorneys
accountants
farriers
feed companies
shippers
stables
trainers
veterinarians
and miscellaneous.
AHC's Horse
Industry Directory has thousands
of equine listings and resources that will help any user find important
information relating to the horse industry including breed registries; racing,
rodeo, show, sport, and trails organizations; equine health and welfare
organizations; interstate health requirements; statistical information on the
horse industry; and an index of all the listings and telephone numbers are
provided for easy access.
Business listings and advertising space are available through certain
levels of membership with the AHC, or can be purchased
separately starting at $175. Listings will include your company name, contact
information, website, and up to a thirty word description of your business.
Advertising space will be available to anyone that would like for their business
to have additional exposure in the directory. For a limited time only- secure
your space before October 15,
2012 and receive a 15 % discounted rate! Download Rate Sheet and Specs (PDF)
The Horse Industry
Directory is sent to AHC members as a member benefit, is available for easy
access online on AHC's members only page, and is also available to purchase on the AHC website.
To find out more
about how you can reach thousands of horse owners and breeders please contact
Bridget Harrison abharrison@horsecouncil.org or 202-296-4031.
Congress Passes Six Month Funding Bill
On September 22, Congress passed, and the President is expected
to sign, a six month Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government through
March of 2013. This bill ensures government agencies and programs will continue
to operate for the next six months including those important to the horse
industry like the U.S. Department Agriculture (USDA) that plays an important
roll in combating contagious equine disease. The CR also prohibits the
Department of Labor (DOL) from implementing a new H-2B wage rule opposed by the
AHC. Additionally, the CR would continue to fund USDA inspections at horse
slaughter facilities if any were to open in the next six months.
Normally, Congress debates and approves several separate appropriation
bills for each federal agency. This year, Congress failed to pass a single
appropriations bill. The FY 2012 appropriations bills that currently fund
government agencies and programs will expire at the end of September. The CR
will continue funding for almost all programs and agencies slightly above FY
2012 spending levels.
The CR will continue to prohibit the DOL from
implementing a new wage rule for the H-2B program. The new wage rule is
opposed by the American Horse Council (AHC) and other H-2B users because it
would significantly increase the cost of using the program. More information on the wage rule can be found on the AHC
website.
Additionally, while no horse slaughter facilities are
currently operating in the U.S. the CR would provide funding for USDA
inspections if any facility were opened. For several years beginning in 2005
the USDA was prohibited from funding inspections at horse slaughter facilities,
which prevented any such facility from operating in the U.S. In the FY 2012
USDA appropriations bill the prohibition on funding for USDA inspections was
lifted. The CR is a continuation of that law and would allow USDA inspections of
horse slaughter faculties to resume if any were to op
House Passes Livestock Disaster Bill On August 2, the House passed the Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2012. The bill would provide assistance to livestock producers impacted by the drought conditions affecting much of the country, including horse breeding farms and ranches. The bill must now be approved by the Senate. The bill would reauthorize several disaster aid programs for livestock producers that expired last year; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), the Livestock Forage Program (LFP), and the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP). These programs are administrated by the USDA Farm Service Administration and compensation livestock producers for the loss of
animals from natural disasters and help producers who have lost grazing land from drought pay for feed. Farms and ranches that breed, raise, and sale horses as a business and are in declared disaster areas would be eligible for these programs. Horses kept exclusively for racing, showing or recreation would not qualify.Both the House and Senate have now left for the August "recess." It is unclear when or whether the Senate will take action on this bill. The larger five year Farm Bill currently working its way through Congress would also reauthorize these programs, however Congress has be unable to reach an agreement on that bill. If you have any questions please contact the AHC.
In March, the Senate approved MAP-21 (S. 1813) its version of a national highway bill. MAP-21, as amended, would reauthorize the Federal Highway Administration's Recreational Trails Program (RTP) for 2 years and allocate $85 million in annual funding for the program. However, the inability of the House of Representatives and Senate to come to an agreement on a highway bill means the future of RTP remains uncertain. Read More AHC Requests Rule Change to Re-Entry Requirements st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } In January, the AHC asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to extend the re-entry requirements for U.S. horses that have been temporarily exported to countries affected with contagious equine metritis (CEM) from "60 days" to "90 days." Read More
In February, Secretary Vilsack unveiled the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) portion of the President's Budget request for fiscal year 2013. The President is required to submit a Budget to Congress on the first Monday in February. The USDA budget request calls for approximately $700 million in discretionary spending cuts from the 2012 appropriation. The 2012 fiscal year expires on September 30, 2012 Read More
The American Horse Council (AHC) is the only organization that represents every segment of that vast horse population. Every day, the AHC communicates with Congress and other federal agencies to ensure that each understands the economic, agricultural, sporting, and recreational importance of the horse industry. Read More
Bringing Congress to You Despite the low approval ratings for Congress, Americans are still interested in what Congress is doing. Why? Because what Congress does - or does not do - impacts the horse industry. This is true regardless of your breed or discipline, whether you are an individual owner, run a track or show, own a horse business, work in the industry as a service provider or ride for recreation. Read More
Unwanted Horse Coalition's Operation Gelding Program Assists 32 Horses in March The Unwanted Horse Coalition's (UHC) Operation Gelding program starts the year with three Operation Gelding clinics completed in March. With the help of the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC), the Santa Rosa County Horse Assistance Council (SRCHAC), and the All American Miniature Horse Club (AAMHC), the UHC was able to assist 32 stallions in just 15 days. The UHC's Operation Gelding program has aided in the gelding of 406 stallions to date. Read More United States Hunter Jumper Association Joins Unwanted Horse Coalition The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) has joined the Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC). Read More AHC NEWS is Sponsored by The American Horse Council keeps its members up to date with the electronic AHC NEWS which reports on Congressional actions and other important federal issues affecting the horse industry. Permission to pass on the AHC NEWS to your members or colleagues is granted on the condition that it is forwarded in its original form or directly linked with the AHC logo and a link to the AHC website. Anyone interested in more information on federal legislation and regulatory issues affecting equine health, taxes, animal welfare, racing, recreation, and showing can visit the AHC website at www.horsecouncil.org Save the Date! AHC's Annual Meeting and National Issues Forum will be held June 24-27, 2012at the Washington Court Hotelin Wash ington, DC You call. You save. It's that simple. Save Money with the AHC Advantage Plan A current membership with the AHC, State Horse Council or an AHC organization entitles you to special savings on products used for your equine farm, business, or personal use.Visit the AHC website for more information on how you can get discounts with John Deere, UPS, Sherwin-Williams, Office Max, and Rx Discounts. You can buy products directly from these companies at greatly reduced prices. For more information visit the AHC Advantage Plan As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, DC, the American Horse Council works daily to represent your equine interests and opportunities. American Horse Council 1616 H Street NW · Washington, DC 20006 Phone (202) 296-4031 · Fax (202) 296-1970 Web Address www.horsecouncil.org · Email info@horsecouncil.org
