Princess Anne talks at world horse welfare

HRH The Princess Royal by far the most useful realistic and sensible celebrity in the uk.

I have huge respect for her.

From what I have heard she was simply saying we should be brave enough to discuss eating horse. She wasn't saying it was the only answer or even that it is part of the solution. Simply that we must consider it.

I agree. I couldn't knowingly buy horsemeat but if having it on the shelves improves welfare, increases prices at the markets and reduces live export then I would 100% support it.

I certainly think we need to debate the issue and consider the less fluffy options.
 
I don't agree. I can see where HRH is co ing from however only in an ideal world would they be well looked after and humanely slaughtered. But unfortunately more horses will suffer. Over breeding is the problem we need to stop breeding. This is only going to cause more breeding and probably horses been stolen if they think they are worth money. Its an awful situation, I feel sorry for people for who have no choice but to send them to slaughter because they cannot afford to keep them. I personally could never do it but it's a better solution than the poor things starving. You see cruelty to horses and all other animals every day in life and what punishment do these people get? banned from owning animals for x amount of days it's disgusting there is no real punishment for committing such an awful crime.
 
Polos Mum said:
It is possible, relatively easily, to do the necessary testing to work out when bute (or other equivalent drugs) leave the system so they can then be licenced for use in animals going to slaughter with an appropriate withdrawal period.
Nobody has done the necessary testing for what is the withdrawal period for bute in horses in the UK as, to date, it hasn't been commercial to do so as so few horses go for human consumption from this country.

Then you medicate in the same way that you do for pork, beef etc.
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My vet disagrees with DEFRA who seem to say that meds like Bute will always be in the system hence signing section ...9? of the passport to sign them out of the food chain, he says that it should be out of the system in at least two months! This is my only argument about welfare, if meat horses cant be medicated there is a welfare issue!!
 
I see where she's coming from but I don't necessarily agree with the concept. The passporting of horses was/is a big enough debacle that really is completely unregulated so I don't have any faith in the powers that be to get a proper system in place. If horses were seen as having q meat value, would that make them more of a theft target? Sheep rustling is a big enough problem and a horse is likely to be worth more. I cannot see any reason why it would make people care for them better- people who allow animals to get in to some of the appalling states they do don't care and that's the point! Having ponies running wild and continually breedingneeds to be controlled. The racing world breeds shake up - it shouldn't be'ok' for 2/3 yo horses to be chucked on the scrap heap in the numbers they are. Too many things need sorting in the horse world. I don't think considering horses to be included in the food chain as the norm a top priority.

Mind you, I am a vegetarian so am probably deemed as 'fluffy'. I just don't see why us humans feel they nred to eat everything. Maybe it's just me.....
 
Girlie1998 said:
I don't agree. I can see where HRH is co ing from however only in an ideal world would they be well looked after and humanely slaughtered. But unfortunately more horses will suffer. Over breeding is the problem we need to stop breeding. This is only going to cause more breeding and probably horses been stolen if they think they are worth money. Its an awful situation, I feel sorry for people for who have no choice but to send them to slaughter because they cannot afford to keep them. I personally could never do it but it's a better solution than the poor things starving. ................
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Good post :-)
I agree that something has to be done and am all for the welfare of all horses to be a priority, whether the prospect of using surplus horses for human consumption is the answer I don't know, but what I do know is that it won't help the current situation, because it would take years to organize legislation, sufficient facilities for slaughter, build a market for the end product.
I personally don't wish to eat horse meat, but I can see that if all the welfare issues and health risks were addressed then I have no problems if others do.
But saying that I know that when the horse becomes a commodity of value to others other than real horse lovers then their welfare will come second to making a profit.
Posters have mentioned that people in other countries eat cats and dogs, well yes they do, but from what I know of that there is very little evidence to show any kind of welfare or humane treatment for those poor animals, is that what we want for our unwanted horses, so I don't think you can use them in an argument about horse meat consumption in UK, I think it will be a sad day when domesticated animals are served up on UK dinner plates.
If the value of horse meat increases, then every horse will be at risk of theft.
The world of man can be a disgusting and horrific place if you are an animal, lets not add to it with hasty decisions and poor planning.
 
I think you have a point ,but have missed the truth of the matter. Horses are freely stolen because there is not the same accountability as there is for farm animals. You dont hear of cows being snatched from feilds, because ,to profit, the theif has to sell on the animal ,without any papers.
 
Surely if you create demand you increase breeding not decrease it?

We should eat dogs and cats too if it stops too many being bred.

How many horses are stolen per year? I've never personally known any horse that has been stolen or known anyone that has had a horse stolen. Of course I've read a lot about it in here - most seem to go missing on loan or haven't been stolen at all just let out by vandals or fallen in a ditch somewhere.

These articles are a couple of years old but I recently saw something on Countryfile. Farm animal theft is on the increase due to the price of meat increasing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/the_p_word/newsid_8027000/8027391.stm
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...n-six-months-as-meat-prices-soar-2333602.html
 
I agree that longer term it may cause more problems than it solves, we already have 'rescues' in this country that buy animals that have been bred for meat from abroad. There is also the future prospect of horses being bred for meat here and so increasing the numbers which could have the knock on effect of more poorly bred animals being bred and readily available to unsuitable homes.

I do think that we need more slaughter facilities or a means of disposal that is cost effective for owners who are struggling, but the crux of trhe matter remains to solve the overbreeding problem first and foremost I think.
 
Unfortunately the very sensible speech made by princess Anne has been hijacked by the media. Twisting it to make a story.

Last night a news item showed an old man with a LOT of rescued horses, ponies and donkeys calling her a cannibal, for gods sake.
With that sort of rubbish being given air time how on earth will the public ever realise the true problem that exists.

It's also a fact that there are many silly people 'rescuing' all sorts of animals with little knowledge or money. Resulting in the welfare of the animals being worse than before they were 'saved'

I do have a few concerns, medication for one. Also the possibility that those that now breed indiscriminately and dump young colt foals will breed even more if they have a little value.

But in general, I agree with her. It is an option that needs looking at.

Scuppered now though I think, since her words have been taken and played around with by idiot reporters. Joe public has already had his opinion given to him.
 
I agree with her, and let's face it, something needs to be done - just a shame it's been mis reported and sensationalised in the press.

If an animal is raised and slaughtered humanely and with respect, why not?
It might sort out the passport issues, the neglect and flygrazing, theft, and the long distance travel.
 
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