January 5, 2014 – CHICAGO, (EWA) – Missouri, one of four states where horse slaughter plants were planned, is no longer on that list. On January 4, 2014, the Rains Natural Meats Company quietly filed a motion to dismiss their appeal with the Missouri Environmental Department, which had issued the Company a discharge permit that excluded equines. The move leaves only Valley Meats in New Mexico still fighting to open a plant.
The battle in Missouri started in Mountain Grove in early 2012 where it was immediately opposed by citizens organized by attorney Cynthia McPherson and other community leaders. The effort, led by Sue Wallis, next targeted a shuttered slaughter plant near Rockville, MO. In Rockville, despite early support from some town leaders, the effort also amounted to nothing.
Finally, the announcement was made that the Rains Natural Meats in Gallatin would be slaughtering horses. In 2013 they received a permit from the USDA for the required meat inspections, leading to almost constant speculation as to when the plant would open. Now it appears they too have dropped their attempt in light of intense local resistance and the fact that Congress may once again defund the required inspections.
“Missouri has been spared a most unpleasant, unprofitable and debasing experience,” said EWA’s president John Holland, and we all have many people to thank. “We are particularly grateful to Front Range Equine Rescue and HSUS for their incredible legal battle to defeat this attempt to bring back horse slaughter.”
Holland also extended particular thanks to the influential Busch family, who built the Anheuser-Busch brewing company that has become known for ads featuring its remarkable Clydesdale horses. Andrew, Billy, Adolphus and Peter, used their extensive political and business connections to help turn the state away from becoming the first in seven years to slaughter horses.
The Equine Welfare Alliance (EWA) is a dues-free 501c4, umbrella organization with over 310 member organizations, the Southern Cherokee Government and over 1,100 individual members worldwide in 22 countries. The organization focuses its efforts on the welfare of all equines and the preservation of wild equids. www.equinewelfarealliance.org
Contacts:
John Holland
540-268-5693
john@equinewelfarealliance.org
Vicki Tobin
630.961.9292
vicki@equinewelfarealliance.org