Domestic horse slaughter is one of the most controversial issues in agricultural law.  Over the last three years, there have been a number of developments on the issue, from the courthouse to Capitol  Hill.  To review all prior blog posts related to horse slaughter, click here. I recently wrote an article for Progressive Cattleman that provides a brief history of the status of horse slaughter in the U.S. and explains where the issue currently stands.  You may read the article online by clicking here.    

*This article is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.* A flurry of activity occurred last Friday with regard to the horse slaughter debate both in a Santa Fe, New Mexico courthouse and in Washington, DC. First, in Washington, Congress passed an omnibus appropriations bill that provided no funding for USDA inspectors to inspect plants that would slaughter horses.  President Obama signed the bill into law on Friday evening.  Without these required inspections, plants are unable to commence slaughter operations. [Read article here.] This was the same approach taken from 2006-2011… Read More →

*This article is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.* Weeks after the New Mexico Attorney General filed suit in state court against Valley Meat Co. in Roswell, NM, seeking to prevent the slaughter house from slaughtering horses for human consumption, Valley Meats is fighting back.  The owners of the plant have notified the Attorney General that they intend to file suit against his office for slander, harassment, conspiracy, and abuse of process.  [Read article here.]  A copy of the Tort Claim Notice filed by Valley Meat… Read More →