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For
more background on the contentious issue of horse slaughter and how the
USDA
is actually breaking the law congress just passed by illegally allowing
horse
slaughter visit this link:
http://geari.blogspot.com/2006/01/
horse-slaughter-by-foreign-companies.html
Article:
Judge Rejects Most of Humane Society Suit
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060314/
ap_on_go_co/horse_slaughter_2
By PETE YOST, Associated Press WriterTue Mar 14, 6:29 PM ET
A judge ruled Tuesday that the slaughter of horses for meat may continue
in the
United States, thwarting an effort by the Humane Society and some in
Congress to
stop the practice.
American horse meat is sold mostly for human consumption in
Europe
and
Asia
.
Some goes to
U.S.
zoos.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly rejected most of a Humane
Society
case, ruling that the group is not entitled to sue over its allegation
that
Congress intended to ban horse slaughter.
In the 2006 agriculture spending bill, Congress eliminated funding for
salaries
and expenses of horse meat inspectors. Inspections are required before
horses
can be killed.
The congressional action "on its face effectuates only a change in
federal
funding which does not invoke the environmental, aesthetic, informational
or
economic interests" of the plaintiffs, the judge ruled.
In response to requests from two slaughter plants in
Texas
and one in
Illinois
,
the Agriculture Department established an inspection fee system financed
by the
companies, which said their communities could be facing $41 million in
losses.
Former Rep. Charlie Stenholm, D-Texas, representing the plants, said the
companies are pleased with the decision.
"The legislation only changed funding for inspections. The Humane
Society
believes Congress intended to stop slaughter; it did not," Stenholm
said in an
interview.
The judge allowed the Humane Society to proceed with its allegation that
some of
the group's members suffer negative environmental consequences from the
operation of the slaughter facilities because the members own or lease
property
nearby.
Michael Markarian, executive vice president of the Humane Society of the
United
States
, said the group will decide whether to appeal the ruling that went
against the group or pursue the allegation of environmental impact in
U.S.
District Court.
"We stand by the majority of Congress and the American people who
want our
horses protected, not butchered for French and Belgian dinner
plates," said a
statement by animal protection groups that brought the case.
On the Net:
Humane Society of the
United States
: http://www.hsus.org/
--------------------------------------
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Another tragic reason for the lawful
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from
the deadly category of property.
JBS
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