Judge blocks permit for Missouri horse slaughter plant

Horse Meat Diagram

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports:

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge has ordered the Department of Natural Resources to delay issuing a wastewater permit for a proposed horse slaughter facility until he gets a chance to hear a lawsuit alleging runoff from the plant could contaminate water and soil.

Rains Natural Meats wants to build the facility near Gallatin in northwest Missouri, but it needs the permit before it can move forward, The Springfield News-Leader (http://sgfnow.co/1ctcNTq) reported. Three parties who oppose the plant are suing the DNR to block the permit, which would allow Rains to collect wastewater from the facility and apply it to land.

Cole County Judge Daniel Green told the DNR on Monday to hold off until he hears that suit.

“While the type of permit Rains applied for would allow the discharge of certain substances, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, oil and grease, the permit does not authorize the storage and land application of these equine drugs which are banned for use in humans and other animals,” said plaintiffs’ attorney Steve Jeffery. “Consequently, DNR lacks legal authority to approve Rains’ application.”

Rains Natural Meats vice president David Rains called Green’s order illegal and said he was fighting to have it overturned. Read full report >>