Grand Opening of Horse Slaughter Plants Blocked Again
The opening of horse slaughter facilities in the U.S. has been halted once again by a federal appeals court. The court issued a temporary injunction preventing the USDA from inspecting these plants, following a request by Front Range Equine Rescue, the Humane Society of the United States, and other groups. This decision adds to the ongoing legal challenges faced by the plants.
Currently, Valley Meat in Roswell, NM, and Rains Natural Meats in Gallatin, MO, are the two plants seeking to commence operations. However, they face additional legal hurdles at the state level, which could further delay their openings.
Will Horse Meat Production Begin Soon?
The media has often reported the imminent opening of these plants, quoting owners and attorneys, yet none have opened. The equine slaughter industry has a history of environmental and humane violations, legal battles, and unpaid fines, which complicates the situation further.
Despite legal issues, Valley Meat's owner and attorney recently claimed they would begin operations soon. This raises questions about their intentions and whether they plan to operate illegally or are simply manipulating media coverage for publicity.
Media Misinformation and Lack of Fact-Checking
The Associated Press (AP) has published numerous articles since 2012, often giving a platform to proponents of horse slaughter without adequate fact-checking. An analysis of their coverage shows a significant bias towards pro-slaughter views, which is concerning given the factual inaccuracies involved.
Critical Errors in Reporting
AP's reporting has repeatedly stated that horse slaughter plants were shut down due to Congress defunding them in 2006. However, the plants actually closed in 2007 due to state bans upheld by federal courts. This misinformation has not been corrected, despite being pointed out to AP.
The AP's errors extend to misinterpreting data and historical events, leading to misleading conclusions about the impact of horse slaughter plant closures on horse welfare.
Timeline of Key Events
The timeline of events reveals a complex history of legal battles and regulatory maneuvers. In 2005, Congress added a provision to defund horse slaughter inspections, but plants continued operations by paying for their own inspections. Legal challenges and state bans eventually led to the closure of the last U.S. horse slaughter plant in 2007.
Despite these closures, the USDA has been implicated in encouraging the reopening of horse slaughter facilities, creating a conflict with public and governmental opposition to horse slaughter.
As the debate continues, it is crucial for the public, lawmakers, and media to understand the full context and implications of reopening horse slaughter plants in the U.S.