The Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) issued its wish list for USDA:

• A comprehensive ban on slaughter of downer cattle and increased oversight of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and Animal Welfare Act.

• A permanent ban on horse slaughter and export of horses for human consumption.

• Phaseout of intensive confinement of livestock.

• Reversal of the EPA final rule exempting confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) from federal reporting requirements on emissions; and ensuring CAFOs aren't exempted from environmental laws, including new laws addressing climate change, as well as Community Right-to-Know and Superfund.

• HSUS also seeks a White House “animal protection liaison” to coordinate animal-protection concerns including policy issues, legislation and regulations. And HSUS advocates appointment of an Assistant U.S. Attorney to head a new Animal Protection Division in the U.S. Department of Justice, “similar to the Civil Rights Division, to ensure strong enforcement of federal animal-protection laws.”