GROUPS OUTSIDE NEW MEXICO CONTINUE TO WORK AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL ON THE HORSE SLAUGHTER ISSUE. NOW A BUDGET BILL PENDING IN CONGRESS WOULD REINSTATE A FEDERAL BAN ON SLAUGHTERING HORSES. STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL GARY KING SAYS IT'S GOOD NEWS IF IT PASSES, AS IT WOULD CUT FUNDING FOR INSPECTIONS AT SLAUGHTERHOUSES LIKE VALLEY MEAT COMPANY IN ROSWELL. BUT IF IT PASSES, KING SAYS HIS CASE COULD BE MOOT.
KING SAYS UNTIL HE KNOWS THE OUTCOME OF THE VOTE, HE'LL CONTINUE WITH HIS REQUEST FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AGAINST VALLEY MEAT. HE ALLEGES THE COMPANY'S OPERATIONS WOULD VIOLATE STATE ENVIRONMENTAL AND FOOD SAFETY LAWS.
