A state lawmaker is again sponsoring legislation that would ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption in Illinois.

The proposal is part of efforts to keep a horse-slaughtering plant from reopening in DeKalb County. Belgium-based Cavel International has been closed since its plant burned down in March 2002.

State Representative Robert Molaro sponsored similar legislation last year. But the Chicago Democrat pulled it from debate after the death of state Representative Dave Wirsing, who represented the DeKalb area.

State Agriculture Department officials say the proposed ban may be unenforceable because federal law allows horses to be killed for human consumption.