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New Mexico A-G sues to stop horse slaughter plant

The Attorney General for the state of New Mexico has filed a lawsuit meant to prevent a meat plant in that state from engaging in horse processing early next year.

According to the Horse-dot-com, the action Thursday follows the recent federal appeals court ruling lifting a temporary injunction on horse processing inspection, which would essentially allow processing to go forward.

New Mexico Attorney General Gary King’s lawsuit filed in District Court in Santa Fe County seeks a “temporary restraining order and injunction” against Valley Meats Company. King says the company has a bad record of complying with environmental rules and horse slaughter “presents a genuine risk to New Mexicans’ health and natural resources.”

The owner of a Missouri plant is appealing that state’s permit that would prevent them from putting horse waste in their lagoon during processing. Until then, the plant, Rains Natural Meats, is unable to begin operations.