A south Norfolk abattoir is being investigated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) over the killing of horses.
Norfolk Meat Traders, near Banham, is not operating as a slaughterhouse while it is under investigation, according to the FSA, but a spokesman said they could not comment further because of 'potential legal action'.
The FSA was due to go to Norwich Magistrates Court on Wednesday to apply for an order to destroy 331 bags of horse meat from Norfolk Meat Traders which they said was unfit for human consumption.
But the application was withdrawn and the FSA spokesman said the hearing was no longer deemed necessary.
The slaughterhouse is on the same site as a company called Simply Halal (Banham) which had its operations suspended last year by the FSA.
Inspectors took the action in May 2016 after being passed undercover footage by Hillside Animal Sanctuary showing sheep having their throats cut and slowly bleeding to death.
Simply Halal (Banham) was investigated and its meat hygiene inspector and vet were suspended.
A new company, Norfolk Meat Traders, half owned by a former manager of Simply Halal (Banham), Roger Carr, began operating on the same site in October 2016 with permission from the FSA.
The FSA said at the time that none of the slaughtermen or animal welfare officers employed by Norfolk Meat Traders were implicated in the alleged abuse at Simply Halal (Banham).
Mr Carr was appointed in June 2016 as a company director of Simply Halal (Banham) and the ownership of the firm was then transferred to Norfolk Meat Traders in October.
The other shareholder of Norfolk Meat Traders with Mr Carr is Deborah Wilson who also used to work at Simply Halal (Banham).
She is listed as a director of Norfolk Meat Traders, according to documents at Companies House.
The FSA spokesman said Norfolk Meat Traders and Simply Halal (Banham) were a 'separate legal entity' and they took 'appropriate action' against anyone who breached rules.
This newspaper has called Norfolk Meat Traders on four occasions for comment.
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