Equine Welfare: One European Perspective (AAEP 2010)

Cuffey

Cuffey

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 February 2003
Messages
3,151
Location
SW Scotland
Visit site
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=17608

Extract:

''Collins said that the recorded number of horses slaughtered in Ireland for human consumption abroad each year has been on the rise: 614 were slaughtered in 2005; 822 in 2006; 1,486 in 2007; 2,002 in 2008; and 3,163 in 2009. He added that it is unclear how many horses are exported to Great Britain for processing in government-approved plants there, as there is essentially free movement of horses between the two countries. Currently, five government-approved processing plants are open in Ireland, with a sixth scheduled to open in mid-2011''
 
I would rather see all Irish meat bound horses being slaughtered in Ireland and not shipped to the UK for slaughtering. I also think its about time that more slaughter houses are opened in the UK so that ALL meatbound animals can be saved the stress of long distance hauling. Sadly, I cant see it happening as it mean that the 'biggies' would have to divide their income with others..and we cant have that, can we.
I have no problem with equine meat so long as its produced as near to 'home' as possible. There are also far too many unwanted equines around thanks to backyard breeders and co.
 
Fairynuff said:
I would rather see all Irish meat bound horses being slaughtered in Ireland and not shipped to the UK for slaughtering. I also think its about time that more slaughter houses are opened in the UK so that ALL meatbound animals can be saved the stress of long distance hauling. Sadly, I cant see it happening as it mean that the 'biggies' would have to divide their income with others..and we cant have that, can we.
I have no problem with equine meat so long as its produced as near to 'home' as possible. There are also far too many unwanted equines around thanks to backyard breeders and co.
Click to expand...

Saved me the typing! Thanks :)
 
Should not the RSPCA, WWH, BHS etc. etc., for the sake of horse and pony welfare, be supporting the opening of new and keeping of existing slaughter houses for horses and ponies in the UK?.
 
Fairynuff said:
I would rather see all Irish meat bound horses being slaughtered in Ireland and not shipped to the UK for slaughtering. I also think its about time that more slaughter houses are opened in the UK so that ALL meatbound animals can be saved the stress of long distance hauling. Sadly, I cant see it happening as it mean that the 'biggies' would have to divide their income with others..and we cant have that, can we.
I have no problem with equine meat so long as its produced as near to 'home' as possible. There are also far too many unwanted equines around thanks to backyard breeders and co.
Click to expand...
Sorry I have a problem with Equine meat yes we need some outlet for unwanted horses but we need to be very carefull not to allow too much of a market to develop so horses end up being bred solely for meat.. but on your other points yes..
 
Spook said:
Should not the RSPCA, WWH, BHS etc. etc., for the sake of horse and pony welfare, be supporting the opening of new and keeping of existing slaughter houses for horses and ponies in the UK?.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to tell you, but you've hit a rather contentious nail, squarely on the head, with that one!!

The three august bodies, who you've listed above, rely to a large extent, and certainly the RSPCA, upon chartable donations. Were they to support your entirely sensible suggestion, then the reservoir from which they gain their funding, would dry up.

The horse needs to end its days as a saleable product. In reality, it ends its days as a costly liability. The fact that "we" view horses as cuddly pets, who end their days, falling peacefully into an eternal sleep, whilst in our arms is, as we all know, a fantasy.

I only know of Potters in Bristol, and another company in Chesterfield, who take in horses for human consumption. I would not travel a faithful friend, who'd reached the end of its road, that sort of distance, to simply be shot. I would however, consider consigning a horse to such an abattoir, were there one which was local.

Via the back door, we now have a medicinal record in our horse passports. The first section states that who ever signs the relevant section, A is not intended for human consumption. Section B states that the horse is intended for human consumption. I've yet to work that one out. It's ambiguous, at the very least.

We have a TB mare here, and the previous owner's representative signed the "not for..." section A. What ever his intention, we will honour that aspect of our agreement, though I wonder at the sense of it. I gave my word, and that's that.

The current, and colossal welfare problems which we have in the UK, regarding the welfare of uneconomic, unviable, or simply unwanted horses, is being exacerbated by the cost of disposal. Give the horse a final value, and we will see that the National Herd will show a marked increase in welfare standards, a greater value for existing animals, and an end to the appalling levels of suffering, and neglect, which seem to make our headlines, on a depressingly regular basis.

I'm now about to put a bullet proof jacket on!!

Alec.
 
Alec Swan said:
I'm now about to put a bullet proof jacket on!!

Alec.
Click to expand...

I dont think you need to Alec
Entirely sensible and down to choice and whether the passport is signed out of the meat chain. I do remember WHW urging owners not to sign out--to leave the abattoir route open

We are currently seeing people who can no longer afford to keep a horse nor can they afford to pts and pay for disposal.
The number of ''free'' or very cheap horses available must be at an all time high.
 
perfect11s said:
Sorry I have a problem with Equine meat yes we need some outlet for unwanted horses but we need to be very carefull not to allow too much of a market to develop so horses end up being bred solely for meat.. but on your other points yes..
Click to expand...

The horse meat trade will never be popular enough in the UK to justify breeding horses for meat.
Approximate age that a horse is matured to perfectly for meat is 8 years old. Should a farmer go into the fat farm business with horses, they would have to go out of their way to find heavy set 8 year olds in a good condition that are healthy and never been pumped full of drugs.

Unless Britain starts consuming horse meat on the scale Italy and France does. There wont be a market.

There needs to be more slaughter houses set up in this country, I for one would rather see horses exported on the hook rather than the hoof.
 
Fairynuff said:
I would rather see all Irish meat bound horses being slaughtered in Ireland and not shipped to the UK for slaughtering. I also think its about time that more slaughter houses are opened in the UK so that ALL meatbound animals can be saved the stress of long distance hauling. Sadly, I cant see it happening as it mean that the 'biggies' would have to divide their income with others..and we cant have that, can we.
I have no problem with equine meat so long as its produced as near to 'home' as possible. There are also far too many unwanted equines around thanks to backyard breeders and co.
Click to expand...

Exactly what Fairynuff said.



Alec Swan said:
I'm sorry to tell you, but you've hit a rather contentious nail, squarely on the head, with that one!!

The three august bodies, who you've listed above, rely to a large extent, and certainly the RSPCA, upon chartable donations. Were they to support your entirely sensible suggestion, then the reservoir from which they gain their funding, would dry up.

I'm now about to put a bullet proof jacket on!!

Alec.
Click to expand...


No bullets from me, but I do think this comment is unfair. Certainly on the WHW.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top