Dive Summary:
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Valley Meat Co.'s application to turn its beef processing facility into a horse meat production plant, becoming the first licensed domestic producer of horse meat since Congress eliminated funding for horse meat processing inspections seven years ago.
- The USDA said it will also likely approve horse meat processing licenses to Rains Natural Meats in Missouri and Responsible Transportation in Iowa.
- Despite the positive news, Valley Meat Co.'s attorney Blair Dunn sees obstacles that may prevent the horse meat plant from becoming fully operational: "This is very far from over. The company is going to plan to begin operating in July. But with the potential lawsuits and the USDA—they have been dragging their feet for a year—so to now believe they are going to start supplying inspectors, we're not going to hold our breath."
From the article:
"Since Congress has not yet acted to ban horse slaughter inspection, (the agriculture department) is legally required to issue a grant of inspection today to Valley Meats in Roswell, N.M., for equine slaughter," USDA spokeswoman Courtney Rowe said.
"The administration has requested Congress to reinstate the ban on horse slaughter. Until Congress acts, the Department must continue to comply with current law."
