Lawyer's Letter: Roswell Horse Slaughterhouse Plan May Be Over

ROSWELL, New Mexico — A company's plan to open a horse slaughterhouse in Roswell may be over.

The lawyer for Valley Meat Co. submitted a letter Thursday to the New Mexico Environmental Department withdrawing the plant's application for a permit to operate a wastewater discharge lagoon. A permit from state regulators is needed to discharge blood and other slaughtering wastes into tanks and lagoons on the company's property.

Attorney Blair Dunn wrote that Valley Meat was withdrawing its application "and any plans for operating a livestock processing facility at this location at this time." Dunn also noted "predatory litigation" by state Attorney General Gary King, who filed a lawsuit seeking a permanent order blocking horse slaughter in New Mexico.

The last domestic horse slaughterhouses closed in 2007, a year after Congress withheld inspection funding.

Originally Posted By Associated Press