The UK Ministry of Agriculture has announced an inquiry into the horse slaughter supply chain after an investigative documentary aired on RTÉ on Wednesday night. The report, which scrutinised the Irish and European equine industries, particularly the inhumane treatment of horses destined for the slaughterhouse, was broadcast by RTÉ One.
The investigation centred on Shannon Foods Ltd, a company located in Straffan, Co Kildare, that uses a facility known as a lairage to hold horses prior to their dispatch to the killing room. The documentary captured footage of the animals being abused. The probe highlighted a specific lairage shed where the Department of Agriculture inspectors lacked regulatory power or authority for inspection.
As per the documentary, the horses were kept and examined in this shed days before they were slaughtered. The state is expected to contribute €76m in support of the horseracing industry this year. Responding to the documentary, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue expressed deep concern and assured that his department has already initiated a probe into the horse supply for slaughter.
He vowed that any new claims or proofs of misconduct or illicit activities in the equine industry exposed by the programme would be meticulously investigated. Moreover, he emphasised that it is the department’s stance to probe into all claims of unlawful or criminal actions and to prepare for possible prosecution if needed. The welfare of horses is under the protection of the law, which obligates owners and custodians to ensure the well-being of the horses and sanctions enforcement actions for any detected violations.
The governing body of horse racing, Horse Racing Ireland, expressed its shock and outrage at the contents of the RTÉ Investigates programme. According to a released statement, the distasteful behaviour shown in the documentary is not reflective of the majority of the 30,000 individuals who rely on the horseracing and breeding industry for their living in Ireland. Whenever individuals are found guilty of maltreating horses illegally, criminal and regulatory penalties should be promptly imposed, they urged.
HRI stated that it would examine the matters highlighted in the RTÉ documentary. They promised to fully back any investigations by the Department of Agriculture or the Garda, encouraging individuals with knowledge of equine abuse to inform An Garda Síochána. Shannonside Foods Ltd announced that the company will thoroughly probe into any accusations of horse maltreatment.