What is the AVMAs affiliation with the Horse Welfare Coalition, the slaughter plants, and the Web site, www.commonhorsesense.com?
The Horse Welfare Coalition (HWC) was formed in 2004 by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), the AVMA, and the Animal Welfare Council. Although the slaughter plants offered funding to the HWC, it was declined. The HWC stopped meeting in mid- to late-2006. The Web site, www.commonhorsesense.com, was initiated and maintained by the slaughter plants. The HWC granted the website permission to post issue briefs, but did not fund, support, or otherwise contribute to the Web site. Currently, the site is being maintained by a lobbying group hired by the slaughter industry, and the AVMA does not contribute to or provide funding for its maintenance. It has recently been brought to our attention that the AVMA is listed as a national supporter of the www.commonhorsesense.com Web site. This is incorrect, and we have initiated steps to correct the error.
