Illegal slaughtering and traceability defects in horses killed for human consumption investigated following RTÉ exposé

Europe-wide investigations into alleged illegal slaughtering and traceability defects in horses killed for human consumption are taking place following the RTÉ Investigates’ programme Horses – Making a Killing.

The programme, broadcast on Wednesday, looked inside the equine industry and revealed what happens to horses after they leave the spotlight.

The European Commission’s food fraud division has issued alerts for horses slaughtered in Ireland, Italy and Spain, based on evidence animals should have been removed from the food chain, or had been declared dead a considerable time before they were meant to have been slaughtered.

The Republic’s agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue, described as “distressing” the images in Horses – Making a Killing and vowed to investigate the allegations.

An RTÉ Six One News investigation aired on Wednesday practices in Ireland’s horse racing industry.

The programme featured “unbelievably distressing” footage filmed at the Department of Agriculture-approved horse slaughterhouse.

‘RTÉ Investigates: Horses – Making a Killing’ is the first of a two-part series on Shannonside Foods Ltd in Straffan, Co Kildare, which is Ireland’s only active abattoir for horses.

Hidden cameras captured horses being repeatedly hit and punched around the head. Images showed a horse too weak to stand being prodded with a pitchfork.

In a statement following the programme, Mr McConalogue said: “I have watched the RTÉ Investigates programme, which included some distressing images.

“I am taking this matter extremely seriously. My department has already commenced an investigation in recent weeks involving the supply of equines for slaughter, with aspects of the ongoing investigation related to some of the broadcast activities.

“Any new allegations or evidence of malpractice or allegations of illegal activity in the equine industry that this programme has brought to light will be thoroughly investigated by my department.”

It is department policy to investigate all allegations of illegal or criminal behaviour and prepare files for prosecution where appropriate.

A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said it took “matters of equine welfare and the integrity of the food chain very seriously”.

They added: “The welfare of horses is protected by legislation, placing responsibility on owners and those who have animals in their possession or under their control to ensure the animals welfare.

“This legislation also ensures that appropriate enforcement action is taken by the relevant competent authority where breaches or shortcomings are identified.

“As recognised in the programme for government, robust traceability is essential to ensuring equine welfare and therefore improving equine traceability has been and continues to be a priority for the Department.

“Any reports of welfare or traceability issues received by the department, are acted upon and investigated as appropriate.”