USDA May Approve Horse Slaughtering in New Mexico

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is on the verge of approving a horse slaughtering plant in New Mexico, potentially allowing equine meat production in the U.S. for the first time since 2007. This development has sparked significant debate and concern among various stakeholders.

The plant, located in Roswell, N.M., is owned by Valley Meat Company, which previously sued the USDA and its Food Safety and Inspection Service over the lack of inspection services for horses destined for slaughter. Without USDA inspection, horse meat cannot be processed for human consumption in the U.S., leading to horses being shipped to countries like Mexico and Canada for slaughter.

Justin DeJong, a USDA spokesman, indicated that several companies have requested the re-establishment of horse slaughter inspections. He stated that once technical requirements are met and inspector training is completed, the department will have no legal choice but to proceed with inspections.

The Obama administration has urged Congress to reinstate a ban on horse meat production for human consumption, which lapsed in 2011. This potential approval comes amid concerns that horse meat could enter the U.S. food supply, as seen in Europe, where products labeled as beef were found to contain horse meat.

Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, expressed concern over the prospect of a horse slaughtering plant operating in the U.S. for the first time in six years. The last such plant closed in 2007 following a Congressional ban on USDA financing for horse meat inspections, a ban that was lifted in 2011.

Valley Meat has sued USDA officials, claiming the lack of horse meat inspection violates the Federal Meat Inspection Act. The company is preparing to begin operations, focusing initially on exporting horse meat to European markets.

Opposition to the plant includes concerns about drug residues in horse meat, while supporters argue for humane disposal of horses used in ranching. The debate continues as the USDA considers its next steps.

Originally Posted By The New York Times