On Friday of last week, USDA officials approved plans by Valley Meat Co., of Roswell, New Mexico, to produce horse meat by converting its cattle facility into a horse processing plant. This would make them the first company in the country licensed to process horses into meat since Congress banned the practice seven years ago by eliminating funding for USDA inspectors at the plants. They also stated they would likely grant similar permits to companies in Iowa and Missouri as early as next week. Two animal rights groups have threatened lawsuits to block the opening, and there has been emotional debate over whether horses are livestock or pets. Funding was reinstated by Congress in 2011 for USDA inspectors for the plants, but the USDA has been slow in granting permits. The company has been fighting for the permit for than a year. Valley Meat Co. wants to ship horse meat to countries where people cook with it or feed it to animals.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 20:40:18 +0000
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