Horse slaughter is a controversial subject in countries such as the United States and Europe. Now the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a grant of inspection to Valley Meats Company in Roswell, New Mexico. The horse slaughter establishment would be producing products for human consumption for the first time in several years.Horse Slaughter is on the Menu Again
According to Bloomberg, federal authorities agreed to issue a permit for Valley Meats in New Mexico to operate its horse slaughter operation. The USDA is also close to approving two other horse slaughter establishments and said is was required by law to issue permits to any company that meets the requirements. Six years ago the last horse-meat plant was closed. Congress had banned funding to have these type of facilities inspected. In 2011, the ban lapsed which leaves the door open for horse slaughter companies to request an inspection. Lawmakers are being asked to renew the ban on horse-meat plants. At this time, the USDA must comply with current law until Congress acts.
It will be about three weeks until the USDA can send inspectors to Valley Meat in New Mexico. In the meantime, permits could be issued for horse slaughter facilities in Iowa and Missouri as soon as July 1. Some farmers and ranch owners feel humane horse slaughter is necessary to get rid of certain animals especially in areas with an overpopulation issue. In some cases, the horses are sent to over the border to Mexico or Canada to be slaughtered. There is also strong opposition to horse slaughter for human consumption.
What the ASPCA and Americans Think of Horse Slaughter
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) opposes horse slaughter for human consumption and indicates it is inhumane. In response to horse meat being found in fast food burgers in the UK, the ASPCA blog directed readers to its Advocacy Center. The ASPCA reveals a national poll conducted in January 2012 showed 80 percent of Americans are opposed to horse slaughter. Typically Americans do not raise horses for food and horse meat will be sent to specialty markets overseas. In some countries, horse meal is considered a delicacy.
The ASPCA further states horse slaughter plants are not clean or green facilities as they pollute local water supplies and cause a terrible stench. The ASPCA also reported the USDA found over 92 percent of horses sent to slaughter were in good condition. These reasons make many Americans opposed to horse slaughter facilities. The USDA is moving forward based on current law as horse slaughter plants prepare to open their doors again.
FSIS Inspection of Horse Slaughter Establishments
At this point, horse slaughter is still on the menu. Federal inspection of amenable species slaughtered for human food and prepared for commerce is required under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA). Under the FMIA, equines are amenable including horses and mules though few people in America can imagine eating a horse or mule. In 2006, Congress prohibited the sue of Federal funds to perform these inspections. The prohibition was active from 2007 through 2011. Since this prohibition was not continued, establishments that meet and comply with FSIS requirements for horse slaughter and processing must be granted Federal inspection.
The FSIS ensures the horse slaughter plant is in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations. Measures are taken to protect public health, such as testing carcasses for illegal drug residues. Also, a random number of carcasses will be required to pass ante-mortem inspection. While many Americans might be opposed to eating Mr. Ed, it seems horse slaughter could be back in business until Congress takes action.
