Bill Richardson Meets U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to Halt Horse Slaughter

​Former Governor Bill Richardson met in Washington D.C with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and urged him to stop the reopening of horse slaughterhouses, but didn’t come back with the response he hoped to hear.

Former Gov. Bill Richardson and USDA Secretary, Tom Vilsack

“I appreciate Secretary Vilsack’s willingness to meet with me and listen to the concerns of our foundation and those of others who adamantly oppose horse slaughter,” Richardson said in a news release.

​“Secretary Vilsack made it clear to me that he opposes horse slaughter, but said he has to follow federal rules.”

Richardson suggested that the USDA immediately conduct a complete review of its rule making procedures regarding horse slaughter and that it block any horse slaughterhouse from reopening until that review is completed. The meeting was part of an effort made to prevent the opening of a horse slaughterhouse near Roswell. “We appreciate Secretary Vilsack’s willingness to listen to our suggestions, and we hope that today’s meeting will be an important milestone in the fight  against horse slaughter.”
 
“I impressed on him the urgency of the matter as the welfare of these animals and the impact to the environment hangs in the balance,” Richardson added.

Richardson’s trip was on behalf of The Foundation to Protect New Mexico Wildlife, an animal protection foundation he recently founded with actor Robert Redford. Earlier in the week the Foundation announced its first action was joining a federal lawsuit against the USDA that seeks to block horse slaughter. The Humane Society of the United States, Front Range Equine Rescue and Horses For Life Foundation are among the organizations that filed the suit against USDA officials.

Brian Egolf, attorney for the foundation, said: ”The Foundation to Protect New Mexico Wildlife believes, as the vast majority of Americans do, that horse  slaughter has no place in our country.

Source: Albuquerque Business First