Horse Slaughter: EU Consumer awareness campaign continues

                               Did you know that Argentina is the largest exporter of horsemeat in the world?

Animals’ Angels has remained dedicated to the horses and the fight to end horse slaughter.  We were gratified that the amendments to defund USDA inspections at horse slaughter plants passed the House & Senate Appropriations Committees last week. However, our horses remain in danger.  They can still be transported into Canada and Mexico for slaughter.  We are hopeful that the SAFE Act will pass which would help to ensure the safety of our horses.  However, we cannot slow down while waiting for this legislation to get passed.  The momentum against horse slaughter must continue unabated. 

There is no doubt that spreading awareness affects the choices of the primary consumer of horsemeat – we maintain that if we can end the demand, the supply aspect naturally dries up as well.  Our expose that aired in Mexico, like the reports that aired previously on Swiss TV have created a firestorm of interest and outrage against the horse slaughter industry and have already had a widespread impact. (EU Campaign)   However, the fight is far from over. 

Animals’ Angels EU consumer awareness campaign continues and a follow up investigation at slaughter plants in Argentina was conducted.  If we want to end the demand for horsemeat, it’s imperative that these issues remain in the forefront of the consumer’s mind. 

 

Equinox, one of Europe’s largest horsemeat importers is the owner or co-owner of the horse slaughter plants Lamar and Indio Pampa, located in the Buenos Aires area.  Both of these slaughter plants are approved by the EU to export meat to the European Union.

It should be noted that Equinox also imports meat from the Viande Richelieu plant in Canada as well as the Empacadora de Carnes de Fresnillo plant in Mexico.  US horses are shipped for slaughter to both of these locations.

In 2010, the Belgian animal welfare organization GAIA investigated the Lamar and the Indio Pampa plants and documented horrible conditions.  The photos below indicate the abuses found during this investigation.

                                                         Horse with horrific injury

The aim of our recent investigation was to determine if conditions had improved since 2010 and whether or not these plants were now in full compliance with EU regulations.