Nebraska Senate advances bill for state inspection, horse slaughter plant
Nebraska state senators advanced a bill that would allow for a state meat inspection program and possibly a horse slaughter and processing facility, and the chair of the state's Agriculture Committee slammed the Humane Society of the United States in the process. Sen. Tom Carlson called the group deceptive, unethical, overreaching, shameless and ruthless, reports the Lincoln Journal Star.
Sen. Tyson Larson of O'Neill, who introduced the bill (LB305), said a state meat and poultry inspection program is needed to provide better access to inspection for rural and small meat producers. It's an economic development issue, he said, adding that state inspectors are easier to work with than federal inspectors. State inspectors would be able to inspect all types of meat, including ostrich, bison, elk, goats, sheep, horses. They would mirror federal standards and be at least equal to federal inspection processes.