Robert Redford and Bill Richardson Unite Against Horse Slaughter
A New Mexico company's attempt to convert its cattle plant to a horse slaughterhouse faced new challenges on Monday. The state denied its wastewater permit, and actor Robert Redford, former Gov. Bill Richardson, and the state attorney general announced plans to intervene in a lawsuit to block a return to domestic horse slaughter.
State Denies Wastewater Permit
The New Mexico Environment Department informed Valley Meat Co. of Roswell that it won't renew its lapsed discharge permit without a public hearing due to extensive comments already received.
Valley Meat Co. attorney Blair Dunn stated that the lack of a permit wouldn't prevent the plant from opening as planned on Aug. 5, but it would increase business costs as the plant would need to haul its waste.
Dunn accused the state of unfairly targeting a small, family-owned business, noting that many dairies operate with lapsed permits. He claimed the state ignored Valley's renewal request until the horse slaughter debate became divisive and Gov. Susana Martinez expressed strong opposition.
Redford and Richardson's Involvement
On the same day, Redford and Richardson announced the formation of an animal protection foundation. Their first act was to join a federal lawsuit filed by The Humane Society of the United States and other groups to block the planned Aug. 5 opening of Valley Meat and another horse slaughterhouse in Iowa. These would be the first horse slaughterhouses in the U.S. in over six years.
New Mexico Attorney General Gary King also filed a motion to intervene on behalf of horse slaughter opponents. Redford stated, "Horse slaughter has no place in our culture."
In a telephone interview, Redford shared his lifelong passion for horses, which inspired his famous movies "The Horse Whisperer" and "The Electric Cowboy." The Foundation to Protect New Mexico Wildlife aims to connect with horse rescue and anti-slaughter groups to raise awareness about the plight of horses in the West and assess longer-term goals. The group will also seek to protect wildlife and support animal shelters.
Redford and Richardson have both donated seed money to the group but declined to disclose the amount. Richardson, a lifelong horse lover, expressed his commitment to stopping the return of horse slaughterhouses in the U.S., particularly in his state.
"Congress was right to ban the inhumane practice years ago, and it is unfathomable that the federal government is now poised to let it resume," Richardson said.
Legal and Political Challenges
Dunn questioned why groups like Redford and Richardson's don't "use their money to actually save animals instead of harassing people in their lawful business?"
After over a year of delays and a lawsuit by Valley Meat, the Department of Agriculture in June allowed the company to begin slaughtering horses. USDA officials stated they were legally obligated to issue the permits, despite the Obama administration's opposition to horse slaughter and efforts to reinstate a congressional ban lifted in 2011.
Another permit was approved for Responsible Transportation in Sigourney, Iowa. Meat from the slaughterhouses would be shipped to some countries for human consumption and for use as zoo and other animal food.
The move has divided horse rescue and animal welfare groups, ranchers, politicians, and Indian tribes about the most humane way to address the country's horse overpopulation and the rising number of neglected and starving horses as the West deals with persistent drought.
An Aug. 2 hearing is set for the request by animal protection groups for a temporary restraining order to prevent the plants from opening.
Originally Posted By Associated Press