HB4812 Summary

• Repeals Section 1.5 of the Illinois Horse Meat Act that prohibited the sale of horse meat for human consumption and adds Section 13.1 to exclude certain horse meat from regulations (horse meat in hermetically sealed containers registered as commercial feed and horse meat prepared in federally inspected plants for out-of-state sale).

• Amends the Animals Intended for Food Act to explicitly include horses, mules, and other equidae in the definition of "animal" subject to Department of Agriculture quarantine and inspection authority.

• Modifies the Illinois Equine Infectious Anemia Control Act to require equidae over 12 months old entering the state to be tested negative for EIA within one year prior to entry, except those entering for immediate slaughter which only need consignment documentation.

• Updates the Humane Care for Animals Act to allow lame or disabled equidae to be sold or transported when intended for expeditious and humane slaughter at approved establishments, and removes the exclusion of equines from downed animal transport restrictions.

• Amends the Humane Slaughter of Livestock Act to include horses, mules, and other equidae in the definition of "livestock" subject to humane slaughter requirements.