The Office of Inspector General has publised its audit of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) administration of the horse protection program and the slaughter horse transport program.  In the audit the OIG found APHIS' program for inspecting horses for soring is not adequate.

In response to the audit APHIS will take a number of actions to meet the needs identified by the OIG's audit.  Some of those action include revising the regulations to require DQPs to be licensed by APHIS and independent of the show horse industry, requesting Congress double the funding to enforce the HPA, and pursue authority for APHIS to directly discipline DQPs.  Also APHIS will ensure that horse show management actively identify people on suspension and prohibit their participation.

For a complete copy of the audit and the APHIS response click here.