The Department of Agriculture is being sued for issuing permits to horse slaughtering plants in New Mexico and Iowa.

The Obama administration opposes horse slaughtering. But the USDA was forced to issue two permits because an appropriations rider that barred the inspection of such plants lapsed.

Valley Meat Co. in New Mexico received one of the permits. The plant expects to open August 5 even though it has been denied a wastewater permit by the state.

Animals rights groups and a new organization founded by former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) and actor Robert Redford hope to block the opening with their lawsuit in federal court. A hearing on a temporary restraining order is set for August 2.

At least three tribes, including one in New Mexico, have called on the USDA to issue permits for horse slaughtering plants.

Get the Story:
NM company’s plans to open a horse slaughterhouse faces a series of setbacks (AP 7/22)
Redford, Richardson form foundation that wants to join lawsuit against horse slaughter (AP 7/22)
Redford joins fight against horse slaughter (The Albuquerque Journal 7/23)

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USDA set to approve horse slaughtering plant in New Mexico (05/01)
USDA inspects potential New Mexico horse slaughtering plant (4/23)
Oglala Sioux Tribe explores opening of horse slaughtering plant (4/18)
Mescalero Apache Tribe backs permits for horse slaughters (04/03)
Yakama Nation calls on USDA to approve horse slaughtering (4/2)
USDA might approve first horse slaughtering plant since 2007 (03/01)