Horse slaughter plants in New Mexico, Iowa to open Aug. 5, unless judge issues restraining order

UPDATE JULY 23: The New Mexico Environment Department told Valley Meat Co. it won't renew the company's lapsed waste water permit without a public hearing, while former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, and actor Robert Redford, have formed an animal protection foundation, and joined the lawsuit filed by animal rights' groups, The Associated Press reports. Attorney General Gary King also said he filed a motion to intervene on behalf of horse slaughter opponents. The lack of a permit won't stop the company from opening, but will require them to haul their own waste.

The opening of horse slaughter plants in New Mexico and Iowa on Aug. 5 hinges on an Aug. 2 federal court hearing in New Mexico on a lawsuit filed by animal protection groups, The Associated Press reports. "The Humane Society of the United States, Front Range Equine Rescue of Larkspur, Colo., and others filed the suit against the Department of Agriculture, alleging it failed to conduct the proper environmental reviews before issuing permits for Valley Meat Co. of Roswell, N.M., and Responsible Transportation in Sigourney, Iowa." The judge can issue a temporary restraining order to prevent the plants from opening. Both plants received grants for inspection earlier this summer.

The lawsuit "cites negative environmental consequences caused by horse slaughter, including air and water pollution," AP reports. "The lawsuit alleges that the animals can be fed drugs and medication not fit for human consumption because horses in the U.S. 'are not raised in regulated industries conscious of public health and safety concerns, but rather in private homes, on racetracks and as working animals.'" (Read more)

The opening of the plants could be short-lived, because appropriations bills pending in the House and Senate would prohibit USDA from spending any money on inspection of horse slaughterhouses.