Meat Plant Sues Feds Over Horse Processing

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The following article is from the Los Angeles Times:

 

by John M. Glionna

 

Rick de los Santos wants to reopen an animal slaughter business that's been banned in the U.S. for years. Along the way, he's also opened a can of worms.

 

The Roswell, N.M., meat company owner sued the federal government last week, alleging that officials ignored his application to resume domestic horse slaughter for food because the practice had become an emotional political issue throughout the West.

 

After waiting a year for permits, De los Santos, 52, says he's using the courts to force the U.S. Department of Agriculture to resume inspections necessary to open what would be the nation's first new horse slaughterhouse since 2007.

 

“I've submitted all the paperwork and have been told all along 'Oh, it won't be long now,'” said De los Santos, who owns Valley Meat Co. “I followed all their guidelines. I put more than $100,000 in upgrades and additions on my facilities to handle equine slaughter. And then the government comes back and tells me, 'We can't give you the permits. This horse issue has turned into a political game.'

 

“So what else do you do? I figured it was time to go to court.”

 

The slaughterhouse owner, whose business had been slaughtering cattle, is also suing the Humane Society of the United States, Front Range Equine Rescue and Animal Protection of New Mexico, accusing those groups of defamation and causing loss of income during the dispute.

 

 

CLICK HERE to read the remainder of this article on the LA Times website.

 

 

 

Source:  Los Angeles Times

Posted by Haylie Shipp

 

 

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