EU Bans Horsemeat Processed in Mexico

But one slaughter proponent doesn’t believe the ban will stop the flow of horsemeat sold offshore.
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An audit from the European Union’s (EU) Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) has resulted in a ban on the sale of horsemeat processed in Mexico. But one slaughter proponent doesn’t believe the ban will stop the flow of horsemeat sold offshore or improve the welfare of American horses intended for processing.

The FVO states that about 87% of the horses processed in Mexico originated in the United States. In its 2014 audit, the FVO raised “serious concerns” about Mexican horse processing, from vendor veracity about horses’ medical and drug treatment records to the traceability of horses to a specific vendor.

“In some cases, horses listed on the import certificate are not presented at the point of entry, (and) while the number of such absent horses is recorded on the certificate for rejected horses, their individual identifiers are not always recorded; nor are their identifiers deleted from the export certificate,” the audit report said. “American horses are raised for use in show, sport, work, and recreation, and are regularly administered drugs and other substances over the course of their lives that are potentially toxic to humans.”

The audit also examined the condition of horses sent to slaughter in Mexico

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Written by:

Pat Raia is a veteran journalist who enjoys covering equine welfare, industry, and news. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her Tennessee Walking Horse, Sonny.

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