Source: TheJournal.ie
“But to stimulate them and get them on their feet again, you’d give them certain cortisone and bute”
THE HORSEMEAT SCANDAL continues to grow legs with fresh revelations that a smuggling conspiracy has been running for years across Ireland and the UK.
BBC Northern Ireland’s Spotlight programme uncovered details about the criminal activity and reporter Jennifer O’Leary spoke with one man who claimed to be involved in a gang.
The activities led to horsemeat that was never fit for human consumption entering the food chain. One of the smuggling routes is believed to have started in Ireland but it is still unclear where all this horsemeat has landed.
The animals were exported through Belfast.
The insider told the BBC that sellers knew why their horses were being bought.
“They did know they were going to a factory but they thought they were going for dog food.”
He also revealed that forged documentation, bogus microchips and stimulating drugs were used in the process.
Those involved would insert bogus microchips under the skin of the horses, according to the gang member. Many of the creatures were also given drugs to make them appear healthier.
“Some of them weren’t in the best condition,” he said. “But to stimulate them and get them on their feet again, you’d give them certain cortisone and bute.
“If a horse had a heartbeat and could walk, he would stand up on the lorry until he got to England.”
Some of the horses were delivered to the Redline Abattoir in Chesire which is being investigated by the Food Standards Agency over “horse passport matters”.
The firm’s parent group say they have never knowingly slaughtered an animal with false documentation. It also insists that hundreds of horses have been turned away from the abattoir because of inadequate passports.
Passport Database
Meanwhile, the suggestion of a national passport database in Ireland has been met with some scepticism by those in the industry.
Speaking to Morning Ireland, the director of one of the bodies approved to issue horse passports said that although the plan is worthwhile, it is also incomplete.
Tom Reed of Irish Warmblood Stud said, “What is being proposed is a band-aid so the Department can look like it is doing something.”
He believes there is an opportunity now – because of the ongoing food industry crisis – to take steps that would put Ireland in the lead within the EU on this issue. And to ensure a stable, transparent and safe food chain.
The organisation would like to see just one body issue one type of passport for horses which would include an image of the animal. It has also called for bute audits across the industry.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA) has urged the authorities to seek prosecutions over the horsemeat controversy.
President Eddie Punch said that processors had “obviously made mistakes” but also pointed blame towards retailers.
“Supermarkets say they are shocked…yet surely they didn’t believe they could sell burgers for the cheap price they were selling them for?”
Click (HERE) to visit The Journal and to Comment
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Categories: Horse News, Horse Slaughter
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
The horsepeople of the world must stand up to any interest which advocates slaughter of horses and RAIL against it. It is shocking and disgusting to see an authorized agent of the Irish Warmblood Stud suggesting the slaughter industry must do better. He needs to go and all others associated with the so-called “equine business” who live off the blood and terror of these amazing sentient beings.
I pray that our newly installed Pope Francis I will draw lessons of compassion that these ignorants will feel. No matter, the fight to END the slaughter of equines must proceed.
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Hello!
I’ve started the petition “Andreas Erler, a.erler@eurogroupforanimals.org: BAN CRUELTY TO HORSES DURING TRANSPORT AND IN SLAUGHTERHOUSES ” and need your help to get it off the ground.
Will you take 30 seconds to sign it right now? Here’s the link:
http://www.change.org/petitions/andreas-erler-a-erler-eurogroupforanimals-org-ban-cruelty-to-horses-during-transport-and-in-slaughterhouses
Here’s why it’s important:
THE PAIN OF HORSE-TRANSPORT
Link auf YouTube:
von: Annamaria Grabowski
NO TO HORSE-SLAUGHTERING
Link auf YouTube:
von: Annamaria Grabowski
PFERDEFLEISCHIMPORT
Link auf YouTube:
Mexico produces 78,000 tons p.a.
Argentina 57,000
Kazakstan 55,000
Brazil 21,000
Italy 16,000
Canada 18,000
Ukraine 13,000
Poland 18,000
Chile 10,000
Romania 14,000
Japan 200.000 horses
Senegal 9,5000
Columbia 6,000
Spain 5,000
China 150,000
Russia 80,000
Mexico 78,000
United States 25,000
(numbers estim.; by Wikipedia and Google)
Maria Daines`Song to Ban Horse Slaughtering:
Set Us Free:
You kill our souls you gonna carry this shame
Oh take a horse to water but he just won’t drink
I know your game no matter what you think
You wanna mess with me, I might knock out your teeth
Yeah all through history you wanna make us bleed an’ bleed
Well we got friends they all scratch our backs
The rope’s untied don’t take up the slack
Don’t go a pickin’ on me, they’re gonna set me free
They gonna set us free, they gonna set us free
Yeah all through history you never set us free
Well we got friends they all know the score
They’re right here breakin’ down the slaughterhouse door
They gonna set us free yeah, they gonna set us free
They gonna set us free, they gonna set us free
Oh the sun’s gonna shine on our backs they’re gonna set us free yeah
They’re gonna set us free, they’re gonna set us free
Oh the sun’s gonna shine on our backs n’ we’ll be runnin’ free…
Maria Daines/Paul Killington
17.2.06 All rights reserved
(mcps) ASCAP
http://www.maria-daines.com
You can sign my petition by clicking here.
Thanks!
Annamaria Grabowski
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Reblogged this on My Blog spiritandanimal.wordpress.com.
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The information in this article just proves that those who deal in horses for slaughter are of criminal mentality and bottom feeders, no matter what the country, in every single aspect. From acquiring live horses to meat distribution and everything in between. There just isn’t anything legitimate to be found in the slaughter of horses. It’s long past time all governments realize these facts and do their jobs and protect consumers by ending all processing and sales of horse meat. Period.
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TerryW you are absolutely correct in everything you have stated! Horses are companion animals, they are NOT meat and as I have stated over and over on my own facebook page, “Americans do NOT eat horses!” Every animal wants to live and to live a good life, so slaughtering any animal for its meat inherently involves some suffering, but the suffering the horses experience at the slaughter houses designed to kill cattle is so much worse! The bones of horse heads often have 4 to eight holes in their heads from the captive bolt gun, because terrified horses move their heads. Horses who at least get the stunning, are better off, than the horses who are kept moving through the process completely conscious as their bodies are dismantled-imagine the agony of having your body torn apart by knives as you are hanging by a hook, feeling every bit of pain! Relief only comes when finally you slowly die as the blood drains from your neck…
Then the horse meat people eat is usually filled with all kinds of medicines used to treat the pet horse of its ailments, but dangerous for people to consume. This happens all the time in America, not just horse meat from Ireland! It happens because all one needs to do is buy a horse at auction, like at the Sugarcreek Horse Auction in the heart of Ohio’s Amish country near where I live, where spent horses are sold routinely. The slaughter buyer buys the horse, keeps the animals for a short time, sometimes just for a few hours, than all he needs to do before he now sells his owned horses, is simply lie on the paperwork, before the animals are sent to the slaughterhouse.
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I’m so glad that WE don’t have such unscrupulous gangsters in Good o’l USA..That sure couldn’t happen here. We know that all American horse slaughterers have impeccable ethics and honor.
Just ask S.H.Sue!
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And the plot to kill our horses just thickens. Anyone that promotes horse slaughter is seriously ill. The US is not immune to such scum. Some people laugh about horses being stolen for slaughter. I tell everyone it is no laughing matter as we have seen article after article. Horse owners horrified that their companion has met their demise in a slaughter plant. Our problem is we are not only dealing with the scum of the Earth in the US, but the far reaching international scum bags that purchase our horses as the end result. This goes farther than anyone really knows. I do not believe that our USDA is not involved somewhere. Our only hope to stop all this madness is to fast track the current legilation and DEMAND that our Legislators pass it. This legislation will give the law the teeth to arrest and prosecute those involved in this disgusting practice. The EU had better rachet
up their efforts too. Just Disgusting!!!
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Reblogged this on Serenity's Musings.
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Gee…what NOT a surprise.
And what do readers think is going on with basically a self regulated meat industry for poultry, lamb/mutton, pork and beef?….hmmmmm, more disgusting.
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Oh dear lord, the blame game. End horse slaughter before it ends what little credibility the us has.
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