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(Scroll down for video) International consumers looking to purchase fresh U.S. produced horse meat will now be able to purchase the meat after the government approved the first U.S. horse meat plant in New Mexico, according to a statement released by the U.S. Agriculture Department.
The horse meat plant in New Mexico received federal approval Friday to slaughter horses for meat, a move which drew immediate opposition from animal rights groups and is opposed by President Obama.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it was required by law to issue a "grant of inspection" for Valley Meat Company of Roswell, New Mexico, after it met all federal requirements. Now, the USDA is required to assign meat inspectors to the plant.
The USDA also said that soon, it may give similar grants to Missouri and Iowa plants.
Horse meat cannot be sold as food in the United States, but can be exported.
Valley Meat Company would be the first horse meat plant to be allowed to slaughter horses since Congress effectively banned the practice in 2006.
It is not known when the plant will begin production, but two bills currently in Congress want to ban horse slaughter, and President Obama has asked Congress to ban the practice.Mobile video not loading? Click here to view