SPRINGFIELD - Nearly two years after banning the slaughter of horses for human consumption, Illinois lawmakers Tuesday revived the issue, saying the fate of unwanted horses is now even more uncertain.

On an 11-2 vote, the House agriculture committee approved legislation to overturn the ban, which was aimed at shutting down the nation's only horse slaughtering plant in DeKalb.

The measure faces an uncertain fate as it moves through the legislative process.

When the ban was imposed in 2007 - following a visit from horse activist and '70s sex symbol Bo Derek - the Senate sponsor of the legislation was John Cullerton, D-Chicago. Cullerton is now president of the Senate.

State Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica, who is sponsoring the repeal, said the lack of a market for unwanted horses has led people to either let the animals starve, turn them loose or ship them to foreign countries where their treatment might be less humane than at the plant in DeKalb.

"The need for the humane termination of livestock is very, very evident," said Sacia, who owns nine horses.

"We need to find some middle ground," added state Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville.

The legislation is House Bill 583.