Business and ag groups announce opposition to slaughterhouse measure

Opponents say it is unfair to change the rules of the game when the game has already started

Construction on a Wholestone Farms butcher shop is underway in northeast Sioux Falls. (Joe Sneve / The Dakota Scout)

A large coalition of business groups has announced its opposition to a Sioux Falls ballot measure that would ban the construction of slaughterhouses.

The 16 businesses that signed a joint statement opposing the ballot measure are mainly agriculture groups, but they also include the South Dakota Retailers Association and the South Dakota Trucking Association.

The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, which had already announced its opposition, is included among the coalition. Gov. Kristi Noem has also said she opposes the measure.