On Nov. 10, 2005, President Bush signed the 2006 Agricultural Appropriations bill containing an amendment prohibiting the use of federal funds to inspect horse meat. The amendment includes a 120-day phase-in period that allows slaughter plants in Texas and Illinois to process horse meat for human consumption until mid-March. The bill will be in effect until October (end of the fiscal year).

The USDA requires horse meat processed for human consumption to be inspected by USDA inspectors, according to USDA spokesperson Steven Cohen. However, plants still can process horse meat for animals housed in zoos or privately.

USDA officials are reviewing the amendment’s language and current legislation to see if a loophole exists for horse meat processing plants to pay out-of-pocket for USDA inspectors.

Cohen said, “We’re not exactly sure what the slaughter houses will be able to do (under this amendment). It will likely take several weeks to sort it all out