Horse processing facility to open in western Missouri

Kansas Livestock Association  |  Updated: 06/11/2012

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A Missouri company plans to re-open an existing meat processing facility at Rockville, MO, to humanely process horses. Unified Equine Missouri announced last week it hopes to have the western Missouri plant open by the end of the summer.

The facility will be regulated and inspected by USDA to ensure all horses are humanely transported and processed according to federal regulations. Unified Equine Missouri claims it will adhere to standards that go above and beyond minimum government requirements. Developed by the International Equine Business Association, these standards will include video surveillance to ensure humane handling and a sophisticated, market-driven testing and traceability protocol. These systems ensure, to the extent possible, no stolen horse is mistakenly processed and all horses processed for human consumption are verified free of residues or other contamination.

Unwanted or unusable horses are at a particularly high risk of abandonment and neglect. Since the ban on horse processing was implemented in 2007, many have been transported thousands of miles to other countries where neither the U.S. horse industry nor USDA have jurisdiction over how the animals are handled.

“We believe this is a win-win-win for both horses and people,” said Unified Equine Missouri Chief Executive Officer Sue Wallis. “By ensuring every horse has value, we ensure they are handled appropriately at every stage, that they are used for good purposes that contribute to the overall economy, that owners have the option of selling a horse they no longer want or need for a good price and that as many as 50 good jobs that were lost almost a year ago are restored to a deserving rural community.”

For more information visit www.kla.org.


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Birdie Johns    
Montana  |  June, 11, 2012 at 09:48 PM

This is good to hear.. Just wish Montana would get one up and running... Good Job.. SUE... THANK YOU SO MUCH.. It is something that is needed so much.. the Horses THANK YOU as well.

rosesette    
SC  |  June, 12, 2012 at 09:23 AM

Wallis's spin machine continues!

Horse slaughter can never be humane!

Acording to EU's rules concerning horsemeat,a majority of USA's horses have had bute and many other drugs that would make them ineligable for consumption!

More true info,facts and pics at: www.kaufmanzoning.net

Mellony    
Missouri  |  June, 12, 2012 at 11:36 AM

Our choice is to either continue to ship our horses long distance to Mexico and Canada where we have nothing to say about how they are regulated or to open the American processing facilities to operate under our regulations and providing American jobs.

Cara    
Wyoming  |  June, 12, 2012 at 12:57 PM

That is it exactly. If they can be processed without the long trips, better regulations, and American Jobs, it's the lesser of two evils.

cj maxwell    
missouri  |  June, 12, 2012 at 12:49 PM

This is great!! Will provide jobs,and an outlet for the overwhelming amount of unwanted horses! Way to go Unified Equine!!

Brenda    
June, 12, 2012 at 02:55 PM

The "Jobs" are entry level jobs, held mostly by illegal immigrant works. They over tax our health care system, at the emergency room level, because these jobs pay no health care benefits.. These jobs, are highly dangerous, and workers are constantly injured due to the nature and predatory nature of these type of jobs.. Crime rates increase tremendously in these little towns, due to the type of workers they draw, as well as the ex felons that also work at this industry. Most of the Kill Buyers are ex felons, with violent a past. Illegal workers, and foreign owned companies pay NO taxes, yet the American people pick up the expense and shoulder the damage(s) done to the environment and septic system, that are always over loaded, and over tax the existing system.. Read up on Kaufman TX, and what happens when slaughter comes to town. Former Mayer Paula Bacon, has a lot more to say about this, and what happened to her little town, when slaughter was allowed.. Get the whole picture before you make up your mind, and think about all those "entry" level jobs, held by undocumented workers, and ex felons.. Think AGAIN before YOU jump on that "It will bring jobs bandwagon".... It is all an illusion, and just MORE false propaganda to the American people.

NaughtyTobiano    
Midwest Paddock  |  June, 12, 2012 at 12:56 PM

You know what I would like to see. I would like to see a venue for MISSOURIANS to weigh in on this. While it's true the effects will be far reaching, after sitting in on the Mtn. Grove meeting---it was disgusting to hear people who did not LIVE in the state tell the Show-Me-ers HOW to live and what they should and should not do. I lived and worked in MO. I have good friends there both in and out of horses. The ones out of them ask me about things in media they see and hear because they truly DON'T KNOW. The ones into horses, even staunch anti-slaughter clients of mine prior USDA ban have changed their mind. You get horses dumped in your trailer at an auction, you come out to your cattle pasture to find 7 starving horses, you go to one clean up of a flipped trailer because an animal rights activist was acting like the damn paparazzi trying to "catch" some violation to spin their stance-----you do these things, and you learn real fast what kind of horrors the horses in the Midwest are subjected to. Remember, the U.S. of A is a vast place. What goes on in one area may or may not be the same in another. Keep that in mind when you want to continue to force our horses across the border into unregulated slaughter houses of Mexico.

Tawny O'Hara    
Deming, NM  |  June, 14, 2012 at 03:32 PM

You rescue a horse from the slaughter transports that dumped them in the desert, that have been stabbed whipped , starved and blinded you want to take all you pro slaughter people and throttle them. That is not the way a horse that was a friend and partner should end up being tortured and terrified and then butchered while they are still alive. I know wallis supports the twit here that wants to open a horse slaughter plant. He can't even slaughter beef humanely and even hauled some cows in a rickety trailer 15 miles with their udders dragging the ground. They had to be put down. He was closed because of all the marks against him by USDA. They also don't want the starved and injured horses so they also dump them along the road or in the desert or woods to die. They want the strong and healthy ones that have been riddle with Butte and wormers that all have warnings that say "Not to be used on animals meant for human consumption." You pro people are just evil uncaring people who are listening to someone that is spilling lies. Talk about drinking the Kool Aid.

Candy Nichols    
Texas  |  June, 12, 2012 at 01:30 PM

Living in a state that sees many cases of neglect as well as a great many of our horses going across the border to Mexico, I support Missouri's decision to support the reopening of processing plants. We MUST bring the processing of America's horses BACK to the US where it can be monitored and regulated. Hopefully Texas horsemen will work on getting the 1940's era law changed to allow processing to take place here.

Zig    
MSP  |  June, 17, 2012 at 03:00 PM

How about we stop the over population of horses to begin with. Now there is a novel start. How about the greedy quarter horse people stop shipping semen to every back yard breeder on the face of the earth? How about you all, with the sign of the ultimate sacrifice, the Cross, hanging around your necks, stop sending your horses to torture? Because you all know, there is NO such thing as humane horse slaughter.

Canada has stopped taking thoroughbreds because of the known carcinogens and falsified paper that accompanies them. We all know quarters and apps and paints and arabs are also filled with drugs.

How about you all stop believing the disgraced gay senator and now pro-slaughter lobbyist Larry Craig?

sue    
South  |  June, 12, 2012 at 01:47 PM

Horse slaughter has never been humane and never will be!

IdahoCowboy    
Sutherlin, Oregon  |  June, 12, 2012 at 03:07 PM

This article is a joke. It fails to mention the fact that in 2013, the European Union will basically shut down as a viable market because American horses will be unable to qualify for their regulations to keep out toxic medical residues. Where's the market? Even the pet food industry won't buy American horse meat because it's poisonous.

Eating horses is un-American, and so is killing American horses so they can be eaten by foreigners. We built our country with horses, and they've always been there for them. So now we're going to reward them by feeding them to the French? Disgusting if you ask me.

I challenge the beef industry, AQHA, Farm Bureau, and all the other pro-slaughter groups to say they oppose killing American dogs and cats for human consumption. If they do, then then need to explain why it's not ok to kill those companion animals, but ok to kill horses. If they refuse, then they've exposed themselves as being willing to sacrifice basic decency for the sake of the almighty dollar.

doug williams    
usa  |  June, 12, 2012 at 09:11 PM

name one person who has died from eating horsemeat? or dog or cat.. horsemeat was a STAPLE in pet food for years..

Jeff Grant    
USA  |  June, 12, 2012 at 03:26 PM

Horses have been a part of human society for thousands of years. They have been our vehicles, tools, and companions. Yet despite the fact that these animals are technically categorized as livestock (and they or not!) eating horse meat is still considered taboo in the United States.Think AGAIN before YOU jump on that "It will bring jobs bandwagon".... It is all an illusion, and just MORE false propaganda to the American people.
Horse slaughter has never been humane and never will be!We all need to fight this plant from opening!! Save our wild horses from this!!

Robin    
AL  |  June, 12, 2012 at 03:26 PM

This town will be the armpit of America! Lock your horses up and put a video camera in your barn because every crook and drug addict will be stealing yours for .50/lb.

Jeff    
Mo  |  June, 12, 2012 at 03:28 PM

Eating horses is un-American, and so is killing American horses so they can be eaten by foreigners. We built our country with horses, and they've always been there for them. So now we're going to reward them by feeding them to the French? Disgusting if you ask me.

Patti Peterson    
Va.  |  June, 12, 2012 at 06:26 PM

How can you seriously say this is a win win for the horse? There are sanctuarys that will take these horses. You dont have to kill them! Domestic horses have wormer & drugs that are harmfull to humans. The wild horses, aka mustangs are the ones going to suffer. BLM, & Sue Wallis will get the kick back money, while we the taxpayer will float the bill. 50 good jobs? You call this a good job? Have you seen how they slaughter horses? Anyone who can do this and go home and sleep at night is a very sick individual!

patti    
va.  |  June, 12, 2012 at 06:38 PM

Domestic horses are given drugs & wormers which are harmfull to humans. The wild horses, aka mustangs, are the ones going to suffer. Taxpayers will have to pay the bills for this venture, and the BLM and Sue Wallis will get the kick back money. 50 jobs? Have you seen how they slaughter horses? Look it up on you-tube, its not humane! Its animal abuse. What kind of sick individual can do this and go home and sleep at night? Win win for the horses? I think not. I say NO to any slaughter of horses, Americans dont eat them and it will just cause a rise in horse theft! Gotta support the drug habit someway,Right?

Horse Angel    
New York  |  June, 12, 2012 at 10:28 PM

Sue Wallis has been trying to deceive the American People about the realities of horse slaughter for her own personal gain!!! In the end the American people will stand together to ban the cruel and inhumane practice of slaughtering America's horses and create humane Euthanasia programs for the horses that are sick and old. Not to dispose of horses we don't want anymore to feed the wealthy Europeans and make a small handful of back door politicians money like you Sue Wallis.

maxine    
SD  |  June, 13, 2012 at 07:21 PM

The sheer ignorance is only exceeded by the determined fanatic animal RIGHTS promoters on stories such as this one.

Horses are NOT all filled with illegal drugs excepting in the fantasy world of those who believe horses are some sort of god.

There ARE people in the USA who DO eat dogs and cats! There is no legitimate reason for anti-meat people in the USA to tell other people anywhere in the world which animals they are not going to be allowed to eat!

You are slaves to manipulative animal rights and terrorist organizations whose leaders live richly on the money they collect from duped people who believe they are "helping animals" for perpetrating the myth that animals are helped by HSUS and 'friends'.

Edie Brier    
Victorville, CA  |  June, 13, 2012 at 09:22 PM

You people who are eating horse, dog and cat, will definitely be eating humans someday.

Linda Horn    
New Mexico  |  June, 13, 2012 at 11:12 PM

Returning Horse Slaughter To The U.S. – Consider The Risks

Is Eating Horse Meat Safe?

These are the Canadian requirements for Equine Slaughter, including proper identification, and substances which make horse meat unfit for human consumption:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/meavia/man/ch17/annexee.shtml#e4

Unified Equine claims theirs will be equally high. Do you really think the Rockville, Roswell, or any other plant would live up to Canadian standards?

It's been proven most Equine Identification Documents (EIDs) and other documents required for horses shipped to across both borders are incomplete, forged, or don't exist. That's the primary reason two plants in Canada no longer accept Thoroughbreds from the U.S. The Canadians know virtually all our racehorses are drugged to the hilt, and, with the very real possibly of forged papers, have chosen not to take a chance on any of them.

Is Slaughtering Horses in the U.S. Smart?

The safety and reliability of the U.S. food supply is considered a Homeland Security issue. Would the USDA grant horse meat an exemption, because it’s intended to be shipped overseas?

U.S. dog owners lost many beloved companions due to Melamine-laced food from China. Their reputation for providing safe food to the world, or even their own people, still hasn’t recovered.

The U.S. has a sterling reputation for safe food, including exports. Is it smart to put that reputation at stake to reinstate such a small slice of our agricultural export pie?

And I certainly don't want to put the health of fellow humans who just happen to live in other countries at risk. It's called ethics.

Cheryl Robinson    
Rochester, NH  |  June, 14, 2012 at 09:53 AM

How can this be win-win, Susie? Horses are tortured, humans ingest harmful drug residues from horse meat (you're never going to stop that), the "50 good jobs" created will be filled by criminals who will end up raping and pillaging the locals, and how does this atrocity benefit the overall economy? Don't you get it, Susie???? We do not eat horse meat in the good old US of A! 80% of Americans polled DO NOT WANT THIS GOING ON IN OUR COUNTRY! They also don't want horses subjected to the cruelty of shipping to slaughter plants in Mexico and Canada. This is cruel and inhumane. I am getting really sick of you. Why don't you move to France and just eat off the menu. Stop trying to subject good people to your maniacal antics!

Diana B    
Midwest  |  June, 17, 2012 at 10:00 AM

You know the USDA, which certifies label claims for beef exports, is going to have to certify the export claims for this horse meat. EU which buys most of the horse meat from our horses, requires meat from horses that have a complete drug history and have never had a dose of Phenylbutazone among other things. Our horses don't come from Process Verified programs. They are picked up cheap at auctions, on Craig's List, and off the backside of the track. No drug history is included so the kill buyer usually creates one that seems suitable.

When our horses cross to Canada or Mexico for slaughter the USDA identifies each one and ties that ID to the animals paperwork, but declines to certify the accuracy of the paperwork. American horses have been found in Mexico and Canada with banned drugs in their systems and paperwork claiming they are clean.

When we slaughter horses here, and the USDA certifies their eligibility for export what will happen when drug residues are found? EU won't take our word for it. They do residue tests on imported meat. What is that going to do for the reputation of the USDA inspection stamp?

Elizabeth    
June, 22, 2012 at 11:15 AM

Feed our disabled-not European tables!
A Vote to keep the Moran Amendment is a vote for fiscal responsibility and our American Veterans, our Elderly and our children.
There over 500,000 homeless Veterans!
How will you explain funding horsemeat in Europe?


Send a message to Japan, Germany China, Belgium, France,
-No dead horses- No deals for European meals!
NOT THIS FOR $6 MILLION DOLLARS!!!




Don’t Waste our money while Americans go hungry!

maxine    
SD  |  June, 22, 2012 at 09:03 PM

Can we count those of you who believe slaughtering horses for food is evil to send frequent and substantial checks to the various horse sanctuaries?

No one is saying any of you have to eat, or participate in facilitating eating of horsemeat. Who gives you the right to tell others what they cannot eat?

Simply testing the meat will tell whether or not the meat is contaminated, just as it does with other food animals, Having a few carcasses deemed unfit for consumption makes believers out of producers who don't follow rules, or puts them out of business.

Virtually all the comments against are based purely on emotion and determination to control other people, and denies science and common sense.


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