TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Horses could soon be butchered in the U.S. for human consumption after Congress quietly lifted a ban on funding horse meat inspections.
Pro-slaughter activists estimate a slaughterhouse could open in 30 to 90 days with state approval. The meat would be shipped to Europe or Asia.
United Horsemen President Dave Duquette says no site has been picked yet but he's lined up plenty of investors who have expressed interest in financing an American-owned slaughterhouse.
Congress cut off funding for horse meat inspections in 2006 but lifted the ban earlier this month after a federal report found more horses had been neglected and abandoned since the economic downturn started.
Wayne Pacelle of The Humane Society of the United States warns there'll be a big outcry "over slaughtering Trigger and Mr. Ed."
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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