FOSH to Support USDA’s 2004-2006 HPA Operating Plan (04/03/2004)

Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) announced that it has advised the USDA of its intention to sign the 2004-2006 Horse Protection Act (HPA) Operating Plan. FOSH had been an active contributor in the development of the Plan, which governs how signatory certified inspection programs will implement their HPA enforcement efforts.

FOSH was not a signatory to the 2000-2003 Plan because it felt the Department’s enforcement efforts and adherence to the Plan did not adequately fulfill its regulatory responsibilities. In particular, Conflict Resolution cases (which result when an industry Designated Qualified Person (DQP) and USDA Veterinary Medical Officer (VMO) disagree on the results of a horse show inspection) had not been resolved since 2001.

Although FOSH DQPs have never been involved in Conflict Resolution cases (due to its policy of full compliance with VMOs’ findings), the outstanding backlog of cases under other industry-run inspection programs has been a grave concern. FOSH has recently seen an improvement in this and other aspects of the Department’s HPA enforcement efforts, and is supportive of continued progress in this area.

FOSH’s penalty structure has always been more punitive than the one mandated by the USDA Operating Plan, and FOSH will continue to impose sanctions that are more rigorous than required. In the case of Scar Rule violations, FOSH will impose enhanced penalties on all repeat violators, regardless of whether the violation involves the same or a different horse as prior violations.

As a result of FOSH’s signing of the 2004-2006 Plan, all other signatory Horse Industry Organizations (HIOs) must now honor any FOSH suspension which falls within the sanctions of the Plan. Signatory HIOs are not required to honor the suspensions of non-signatory HIOs.

FOSH has adopted several initiatives to support and enhance tougher USDA enforcement of the HPA. It has volunteered for its 2004 shows to participate in the testing of new technology for the detection of soring. It has sponsored an investigative journalism award for published or aired pieces that increase public awareness of the illegal practice of soring.

In early 2004, FOSH co-founded the HPA Strategic Planning Committee, a coalition comprised of several sound horse and humane groups, whose purpose is the identification and removal of roadblocks to HPA enforcement.

FOSH is a national leader in the fight against abuse and soring of Tennessee Walking Horses and in the promotion of natural, sound gaited horses. For more information about FOSH or to become a member, please visit www.fosh.info.