A question about horse meat (sorry)

[BlairandAzria]

Following on from the lidl/ tesco story : In the uk specifically do you need a liscense to process horse meat in a factory?

I presume they are slaughtered elsewhere and the transported to the food processing factory?

Can you send horses to slaughter in a 'normal' beef abattoir?

As on the other thread, the feed given to livestock (cows sheep etc) intended for human consumption is heavily regulated -are there any regulations regarding horse meat intended for human meat?

Is it legal to send a horse for meat in this country?

Sorry for all the possible unsavoury questions, I'm just interested - my dad was asking me questions about it too and I couldn't answer them...so my interest was piqued.

Fwiw I would never choose to eat horse meat, but if properly regulated and welfare controlled I would not be against others choosing to eat it - I believe it's a lean healthy cheap meat - if so many people in this country are suffering food poverty /malnutrition I'd imagine it might be a viable option in the future?

Again not intending to upset or offend anyone- just got me thinking...

 

[Star_Chaser]

I'm not sure why there would be any legal restrictions beyond those where the horse has been on medication or illness/disease for a horse to be deemed not suitable for human consumption. You would need the same as any other meat for it go to through a registered abattoir and be stamped I would have thought.

 

[Orangehorse]

I don't know all the details, but there are a few licenced horse abbatoirs in this country.
It is perfectly legal to send horses for slaughter for human consumption.

There are always Meat Inspectors at cow/sheep/pig abattoirs, so I guess it is the same for horses. Also with cattle, for instance, if it has been injured or ill, a vet has to sign a "fit to travel" certificate and whether it can go for human consumption.

 

[Cortez]

I'm speaking for Ireland here; don't know the ins and outs of UK rules. Horse meat is available from specialist butchers at up to £13 a lb. it is perfectly legal and has to be inspected and conform to all the same rules re drugs, withdrawal periods for certain medications, etc. This is why there is a medications page in a horse's passport.