For Immediate Release, Friday 26 May 2023

NZ government approves a huge cash injection into racing

A huge cash injection has been given to fund problem gambling in New Zealand, meanwhile there is yet another sickening death for the blood sport industry – RIP ‘Sentient’.

The Coaltion for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) Aotearoa were sickened to hear of yet another racing death. Sentient (10 years old) was discovered lame after racing in Riccarton and subsequently killed.  That’s a disturbing twelve deaths so far this racing year, reported by NZTR (the true number will definitely be higher). 

Just days later the New Zealand government announced  TAB has partnered with UK betting company Entain, claiming the deal will guarantee $900 million in funding for the next five years – their way of ‘reversing falling revenues for racing.’ More here.

Quotes attributable to CPR Spokesperson, Fran Elizabeth:

“The Minister for Racing, Kieran McAnulty, believes this to be the saving grace for a dying industry. It’s akin to trying to excuse the practice of slavery, or keeping the sport of gladiator fighting alive. They are refusing to move on from old barbaric forms of pain and blood entertainment.

“Public sentiment is changing. Look at the famous Melbourne Cup; 98% of designer and influencers Stef and Jess Dadon’s followers said they did not support the cup but 48 per cent said they once did.

“What we are doing is exposing these sentient beings to painful training methods or nerve damage caused by iron instruments. It is blatant animal abuse right before our very eyes; horses are whipped to make it first to the finish line, suffering catastrophic injuries, heart attacks and death. It is a major animal welfare issue. 

“Betting on horses impacts families too, with increasing gambling addictions. According to Department of Internal Affairs, 1 in 5 New Zealand adults (22%) will be affected at some time in their lives by their own gambling or the gambling of others. More here.

“In 2019, the Problem Gambling Foundation raised concerns over the repeal of Section 33(3) of the Gambling Act. “and then a lot of that money will get siphoned back into the racing industry so we’ll have one form of gambling funding another”. More here.

“Government is supporting investment into what the Treasury have stated as an industry that is on the decline and an industry that has itself proven time and time again to be harmful and deadly to humans and horses. 

“CPR is committed to continuing to expose the inherent abuse and suffering that comes from racing horses for gambling profits.”

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10194/

For Immediate Release, Saturday 4 February, 2023

Anti Horse Racing Campaigners Unite at Taranaki Cup Day to Stand Against Bullying

Who: Taranaki Animal Save and Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses
When: Saturday 4th February 2023 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: New Plymouth Raceway – Meeting on the grass area on the corner of Rogan Street and Coronation Avenue

A video circulated on social media recently showed an animal rights activist being verbally abused by racing industry staff at a horse racing event in Taranaki on Christmas Eve. The activist, Elin Arbez, was attending the public event as a spectator and was recording footage. She faced a barrage of abuse including unprovoked personal attacks from the clerk of the course, as well as vulgar and degrading sexual comments from a man who appeared to be in a management position.

Please see the uncensored video here

Arbez stated, “It’s little wonder that bullies are so prevalent in the animal abuse industries and their behaviour speaks volumes. It’s never pleasant being the target of misguided attacks and outdated slurs, but at least my life isn’t put at risk, unlike the 13 horses who were killed on New Zealand race tracks last year or the 270 who suffered injuries.”

After the video went public, the Racing Integrity Board received complaints about the spectacle and as a result, Ms. Arbez has received an apology from the Board. A representative assured her that the racing staff involved “had been reprimanded” and that she should not expect a repeat of the behaviour.Regardless of the apology, animal rights activists and Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses campaigners from around Aotearoa have decided to travel to New Plymouth to stand with Arbez and other Taranaki Animal Save activists outside Taranaki Cup Day on 4th February, as a mark of solidarity and to take a public stand against bullying, towards both horses and humans.

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10192/

For Immediate Release, Saturday 28 January, 2023

Red Smoke Bombs and Hard Hitting Messages Greet Cup Punters

Today, racegoers arriving at the Wellington Cup were meet with hard hitting messages and red smoke to resemble the blood of horses spilt on and off the racetrack.

More images available here.

Among the messages, members from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) held the long list of horses who lost their lives in just one year on New Zealand racetracks. 

Quotes attributable to CPR NZ spokesperson Fran Elizabeth:

“Party goers could not avoid our truth bombs and smoke bombs as they entered the track today. 

“The public arrive looking for a good time but it’s no party for the animals. Horses are bleeding deep in the lungs, having heart attacks and suffering from fractures, all in the name of gambling profits and entertainment. Our powerful demonstration helped to ensure racegoers were told the truth – something the industry does its best to hide.

“Shame could be seen on some faces, as red smoke filled the air next to our sign which read ‘In memory of all the horses that have bled on the racetrack’; because horse racing is a blood sport.

“We once celebrated gladiators killing each other in the stadium which was considered a completely normal pass time, but now we look back on with disgust. One day we will view abusing animals in the name of ‘entertainment’ in the same way.”


Some facts from NZ this year: 

Deaths: 13 (that were on track and that we know of) 
Records of ‘excessive’ Whip Use: 415 
Horses that were fractious (showed signs of stress and agitation so badly it was noted): 253
Total Injuries this year: 282 
Serious Injuries: 107
Horses that were recorded to have bled from their lungs (EIPH) so badly it was noted: 40  

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10190/

For Immediate Release, Tuesday 20 December, 2022

Jockey death sparks outrage whilst yet another horse death goes unnoticed

There has been upset over the recent tragic death of apprentice jockey, Megan Taylor who died as a result of a collision involving four horses during Race 2 at the Ashburton Racing Club on Thursday 15 December 2022.  
 
Quotes attributed to Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) spokesperson, Fran Elizabeth.

“CPR NZ want the public to make the connection between both lives that were lost that fateful day. There is no difference between a human and a horse when it comes to their desire to live and live well. Both are sentient – conscious, aware and emotional beings.

“Humans decide to choose who to mourn in horse racing. It’s never for the constant cycle of horses that die on track each and every year. In NZ there have been 13 horses that have died on track this year so far, that we know of.
 
“Show Us Plenty was brought down as a result of other horses falling, being badly hampered and dislodging the rider. He was euthanised due to having fractured his right humerus. It is worth noting the steward’s report calls the horse ‘it’, not treating him as someone, but rather as something.
 
“It’s been recorded that Megan’s life was taken too soon, but what about Show Us Plenty? He was only four years old. In their natural environment or when well cared for domestically, horses can live up to 30 years.
 
“Horse racing really is an outdated, cruel blood sport. It occassionally takes away the lives of humans which is a tragedy in itself, but the forgotten are always the much greater number of horses that are treated as commodities; they’re disregarded, discarded and disposed of. Horses are constantly recorded as not wanting to race, showing distress as they are forced into stalls. They are forced to run on track for people’s entertainment, in turn they are put in harm’s way and as a result suffer from fractures, heart attacks, bleeding in the lungs and death.” 
 


Some facts from NZ this year: 

Deaths: 13 (that were on track and that we know of) 
Records of excessive Whip Use: 392 
Horses that were fractious (showed signs of stress and agitation): 242 
Total Injuries this year: 267  
Serious Injuries: 102 
Horses that were recorded to have bled from their lungs (EIPH) so badly is was noted: 40  

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10188/

For Immediate Release, Saturday 19 November 2022?

Horse Killed After Races Go Ahead Despite Torrential Rain

Five-year-old gelding Holyell was killed at New Plymouth Raceway yesterday after racing in heavy rain and fracturing his femur in race three. He was eased down by the jockey around the 100m mark and a post-race examination revealed the catastrophic injury. Subsequently, he was euthanised by a veterinarian.

The track condition was downgraded twice, from an 8 to a heavy 10 before Race 3 even commenced, yet all races still went ahead on this dangerous surface.

Taranaki Animal Save and Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) activists protesting outside the event say that the races should never have gone ahead yesterday. “We had so much heavy rain leading up to this event. The ground was saturated and extremely slippery. Forcing the horses to run in those conditions is knowingly putting them at risk of slipping and being injured, and now, likely because of the irresponsible call to go ahead a horse is dead. It’s completely unacceptable,” activist Summer Aitken states.

“Horses being forced to race until their bones break is not a sport, it’s blatant animal abuse. Behind the booze, bets, and fancy dress of horse-racing is broken femurs, cardiac attacks, and bleeding lungs. Holyell is the 10th horse to have died on New Zealand tracks this year alone. How many more must suffer for human entertainment and gambling profits before this blood sport is abolished?” says activist Elin Arbez.

Taranaki Animal Save and CPR are calling for a complete ban on the practice of horse racing in New Zealand. 

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10186/

For Immediate Release, Friday 11 November 2022

CPR to Hit Christchurch for the First Time In Protest of NZ Cup Week 

Who: Animal Save movement, in partnership with the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR)
What: “Say Nup to the Cup” – Horse Racing protest.  
When: Tomorrow – Saturday, November 12th, 11am-1pm.
Where: Riccarton racecourse, directly opposite the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge.

A group of Animal Rights activists are set to gather at Riccarton Racecourse to protest what they describe as “the inhumane and unjustifiable horse racing industry” for the final day of the Christchurch Cup and Show week.

Horse racing is a multi-million dollar industry that is built on exploitation and suffering and results in the deaths of many horses every year, both through on-track euthanasia of injured horses and also through the slaughtering of racehorses once they have served their “purpose”. As well as the disappearance of thousands more.

The protest aims to raise awareness of the cruelty inflicted upon racehorses leading up to, during, and after racing events.

Activists will be peacefully educating the thousands of expected attendees on the harsh reality of what they are supporting when they purchase a ticket to the races, or worse, place a bet on the life of an innocent animal.
 
Quotes attributable to Sarah Marie, spokesperson for the Christchurch Animal Save chapter and CPR. 

“A crowd of approximately 150,000 are expected to attend events during Cup and Show week. Unfortunately, many are unaware they are supporting animal abuse when attending these events.

“In 2021 alone, 25 thoroughbred horses died on and off track throughout New Zealand from racing-related injures. Three of these were reported to be at Riccarton Racecourse, one being 3 year old filly, Megavision, who was killed here at Cup Week last year.

“There were 49 cases of pulmonary haemorrhage (known as ‘bleeders’ in the industry) – where horses forced to undergo high-intensity exercise burst blood vessels in their lungs and begin to visible bleed from their nostrils.

“There were also 19 cases of cardiac arrhythmia, as well as countless other injuries sustained such as fractured and broken bones, lacerations, ruptured tendons, heat stress, and torn ligaments.

“Many of the injuries suffered occurred at this Riccarton track.

“Race horses are stripped of their freedom from birth when labelled as a profitable resource. They are then violently forced to entertain the masses, and once they make it through the on average 2-4 year time a horse is used for racing, they are considered ‘wastage’.

“This multi-million dollar industry doesn’t have a retirement plan for racehorses. This typically means further abuse is sustained when they are either rehomed for other equestrian purposes, used for breeding, or sent to slaughter.  

“Christchurch Cup Day has a history of 118 years, but animal rights activists will continue to be voices to those most vulnerable until horse racing is viewed as a shameful ‘sport’ that never deserved that title.”

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10182/

For Immediate Release, Friday 28 October 2022 

Animal Rights Activists Target Melbourne Cup Day 

What: Protest against Melbourne Cup
When: Tuesday 1st Nov 2022 14:30 – 18:00
Where: Downtown and waterfront, Auckland CBD
 
Melbourne Cup is what we call FuCup Day – horse racing contributes to animal abuse in the name of ‘entertainment’ and ‘tradition’. Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) Auckland believe exploitation of the animals needs to END and the public has the right to be informed what really happens behind the scenes. 
 
Quotes attributable to CPR Auckland spokesperson Aya Oba.
 
“We will be marching the streets in Auckland CBD and the waterfront, where venues will be hosting the race screening. We will carry placards, hand out leaflets, and show undercover footage showing shocking facts about the racing industry.
 
“We will also have a whip demonstration for people to try to see whipping does really hurt.
 
“Every year on this day, even in Aotearoa – people use this opportunity to ‘glam up’ and celebrate this event – while innocent animals are facing a high risk of injury and death.
 
“We protestors will also be dressed up to prove that glamour and real beauty do not require animal abuse. We want to raise awareness and provide facts, so more people can make conscious and kinder choices – by not betting and contributing to the horse racing industry.
 
“While people are enjoying bubbles and fashion, horses are bubbling from their mouths, running to their deaths. While people are betting, horses are being forced to play Russian Roulette with their lives.”
 
Facts:

• 9 Deaths (that we know of) and a total of 207 injuries so far this year (as of 12/10/2022) in NZ
• 139 Death in Australia during the period August 1st 2021 – July 31st 2022 
• Recent casualties of the Melbourne Cup.- Anthony Van Dyck (2020), Cliffsofmoher (2018), Regal Monarch (2016), Red Cadeaux (2015), Admire Rakti (2014), Araldo (2014), Verema (2013), Rose of Peace (2012)
• There is a significant rise in domestic violence on Cup day – with alcohol and gambling creating a high risk for abuse – most commonly by a male perpetrator.

“We will not stop fighting – until all are free” she said. 

For more information:
horseracingkills.com

Documentary ‘The Final Race’
https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/the-dark-side-of-the-horse-racing-industry/11614022

NZ ‘Wastage’ estimate
horseracingkills.com/2020/05/19/new-zealand-wastage-estimates/

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10180/

For Immediate Release, Monday 14 February 2022

Would the world be outraged with Sir Mark Todd if he and his horse were on a racetrack? 

Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) is calling on the public to make the connection between the appalling abuse Sir Mark Todd subjected an innocent horse to and the standard industry practices that occur daily in horse racing.

Sir Mark Todd, a Kiwi now living in the UK, has apologised after video footage was released of him whipping a horse to make them go through a water obstacle, not just once but ten times! – available here.

The knighted equestrian champion has been a licensed racehorse trainer in the UK since retiring from eventing three years ago.

“Sir Mark Todd is no knight and the Cabinet Office must revoke his knighthood” says CPR spokesperson Frances Baker. “But, whilst we absolutely condemn this act of violence, we must highlight that such acts of aggression and abuse are standard practice in the racing industry here in New Zealand and throughout the world.”

“The industry practice of beating a horse with a whip is not unlike what Mark Todd has carried out, yet his behaviour has outraged the world. This says a lot about how much people are willing to accept blatant animal abuse when it occurs in a scenario where people are used to seeing it.”

Some racing industry proponents have already gone into damage control, using this incident to call on the British Racing Authority to change the name of the whip to something more palatable such as a “procush” or the “encourager” believing the public will not associate beating a horse with an object as a form of abuse if the object has a different name – available here.

Studies have long proven otherwise, with clear evidence that whips hurt horses – the most recent here.

“When there are big dollars involved and animals are used as money making machines, they become victims to their powerful owners or trainers in all industries. Some forms have simply been more normalised than others.”

”The abuse Mark Todd subjected this horse to is rightly being condemned by the world. People must join the dots and see that such abuse should never be accepted simply because it occurs on a racetrack. Horse racing is stuck in the dark ages, a time when it was normal for gladiator slaves to be thrust into the arena for the spectator’s bloody entertainment” Ms Baker said. 

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10178/

For Immediate Release, Wednesday 2 February 2022

Animal Rights Activists Say Nup to the Taranaki Cup
Continuing the momentum of nationwide opposition to horse racing 

What: Protest against Taranaki Cup
When: Saturday 5 February 2022 11am – 1pm
Where: New Plymouth Raceway – Meeting on the grass area on the corner of Rogan Street and Coronation Avenue
 
Taranaki Animal Save invites the public to join protest at Powerworx Taranaki Cup Day

Last year twenty-five horses died on New Zealand racetracks, along with countless others in the days following due to racing related injuries and complications. Pulmonary haemorrhages and cardiac arrhythmias are disturbingly common. The racing industry themselves reported over 600 incidents of excessive whipping in 2021, although activists witnessed many other incidents that were not reported.

“In 2022 it should no longer be acceptable to put animals in harms way in the name of entertainment,” says Summer Aitken, a spokesperson for Taranaki Animal Save.
 
In partnership with Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR), Taranaki Animal Save will be holding a protest outside New Plymouth Raceway this Saturday. Members of the public are invited to attend the peaceful demonstration which aims to raise awareness about the ongoing welfare issues plaguing the racing industry.

“We want our presence outside Taranaki Cup Day to be a reminder to the industry and their sponsors that public support for horse racing is waning. It’s widely considered unacceptable to use and abuse animals for gambling and entertainment,” Aitken adds.
 
Taranaki based activists have attended all the racing meetings at New Plymouth Raceway over the past 12 months. At every event they have photographed and recorded highly distressed horses being whipped, kicked, dragged, blindfolded, and physically lifted off their feet. They have documented horses with their tongues tied to their jaws, horses rearing and getting stuck in the barriers, and more.

“There is a dark side to this industry, beyond the glitz and glamour, and it’s the horses who pay the ultimate price,” says Elin Arbez, member of Taranaki Animal Save and representative for CPR.
 
“At the previous race day on 27^th December we photographed one particularly distressed horse who was later examined by a veterinarian and diagnosed with lameness and an elevated heart rate. Forcing sore and stressed horses to race for human greed is completely unacceptable,” Ms Arbez goes on to say. 

“Nine horses have been killed at New Plymouth Raceway alone in the past decade. Horses who are not profitable to the industry are killed in huge numbers behind the scenes, with an average of 3000 thoroughbred racehorses unaccounted for annually.”  Read the full report here.
 
Due to the Covid-19 red alert level, participants are asked to wear masks, observe social distancing, and not attend if you’re experiencing any symptoms or have recently been in contact with anyone who has tested positive.

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10176/

For Immediate Release, Friday 28 January 2022

Protest at the Wellington Cup – Horse racing is a blood sport

What: Protest at Wellington Cup 
When: Tomorrow! Saturday 29^th January 2022 11am – 1pm
Where: Cnr Sutherland Drive and Fergusson Drive, Trentham, Upper Hut (outside Children First Early Childhood Centre)

Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) will have a strong presence outside the cruel Wellington Cup tomorrow, an event which last year led to the death of six year old gelding Rock On Wood.

Animal Rights Activist & CPR spokesperson Frances Baker said, “Horse racing is on the decline, as confirmed by The Treasury in the Impact Statement 2019.”

Even media outlets and fashion designers are now openly calling for an end to the industry.

“Two of the most reputable and influential newspapers in the US – The Washing Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer have both called for horse racing to end stating ‘Horse racing has outlived it’s time’.”

“When the public go to the Wellington Cup to have fun what they do not appreciate is that there is the dark side to racing. We believe they deserve to know the truth, which is one of the many reasons why we will be protesting outside the Wellington Cup.” Ms Baker said.

The event will also host Fashion In The Field judges Anna Campbell, Stephanie Murray, Claire Hahn, Carl Manderson and Lou Heller. CPR emailed both Anna Campbell and Stephanie Murray with information regarding the systemic cruelty in horse racing. Both failed to respond. 

“These judges are all actively endorsing and normalising animal cruelty behind the facade of fashion” Ms Baker said. 

“Two Australian fashion designers who used to attend the Melbourne Cup have been quite outspoken on the reasons they believe fashion labels are making a mistake by associating themselves with horse racing. They even referred to as it being ‘Hunger games esque’ which is a very fitting statement.”In the article, co-owner and creative director of Twoobs, Jess Dadon, stated “Ninety-four per cent of our followers said they did not support the Cup. But interestingly, 48 per cent said they once did – so attitudes are definitely shifting.”

Full article in the Australian Financial Review available here.

In 2021 there were at least:

• 25 deaths on track (more will die off track after sustaining racing related injuries)
• 636 incidents of “excessive” whip use
• 226 horses who were too afraid to go into the barrier or were fractious/distressed once inside (in the last quarter last year 37% of those didn’t race)
• 309 total injuries – 157 were considered serious
• 49 horses who were reported to have suffered exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH). The true number of horses bleeding in the lungs would be much greater since most cases of EIPH go undetected.
• .Many are killed behind the scenes simply for not being profitable. Approximately 3,000 New Zealand thoroughbred horses are unaccounted for on a yearly basis. Report available here

“‘The industry have long fooled the public into believing that their horses are loved, well cared for and that they love to run, when in fact these horses are made powerless to humans through harsh training techiniques and the use of pain and fear inflicting implements. They are treated like commodities who are disregarded, discarded and disposed of” Ms Baker said.

Read about our New Zealand campaign here.Watch CPR’s latest documentary here.

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10174/

For Immediate Release, Thursday 29 June, 2023

Australia’s trade in the export of horse meat for human consumption finally ends, but a breaking 
investigation reveals the horror for horses caught up in this trade overseas continues

Horsemeat from North and South America
International animal welfare organisations demand a halt to the import and production of horsemeat under cruel conditions
 
Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) can confirm that not only has Meramist, the QLD slaughterhouse the organisation and ABC’s 7:30 exposed for the systemic abuse and killing of racehorses in 2019, has stopped killing all horses, but also that no other Australian slaughterhouse currently holds an export license to produce horse meat for overseas human consumption.

But the news is bitter-sweet, not only due to knowing horses (including racehorses) continue to be sent to Australian knackeries for pet food production but also due to the latest investigations by our international partners Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) and Tierschutzbund Zürich (TSB), along with Animals’ Angels USA demonstrating systemic cruelty in the production of horse meat for human consumption continues in Uruquay and Canada.

Both investigations available in the links below.

Uruguay:
Trailer: https://youtu.be/ZlkMJHgeSzE
Film: https://youtu.be/bFJlGALxgws
 
Canada:
Trailer: https://youtu.be/RtvJ5FAZVWs
Film: https://youtu.be/X6q1sT0e2c0

The production of horsemeat for the EU and Switzerland is steadily being relocated from North to South America. Together with a coalition of international animal welfare organisations, AWF and CPR have been calling for years for a halt on the import and production of horsemeat under cruel conditions. In Australia, the only EU-approved horse abattoir, Meramist, recently stopped slaughtering horses, and the EU imposed an import ban on Mexico in 2015. In the USA, horse slaughterhouses were closed back in 2007. Since then, US horses have been exported to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. In Canada, the number of horses slaughtered has steadily declined from 54,000 in 2016 to approximately 12,000 in 2022. Only Argentina and Uruguay have recorded increases.  
 
According to AWF, the relocation of horsemeat production to South America is partly to do with lower production costs. For years, AWF has been criticising the cruel conditions under which horsemeat is produced in North and South America. Conditions in producing countries vary.
 
Horsemeat from Canada
 
Bouvry Exports in Alberta, Canada, is the largest North American horse slaughterhouse. Half of the horses slaughtered in Canada come from the USA. EU meat export stipulations require US horses to be kept in feedlot pens for six months before being slaughtered. This is to minimise the risk of drug residues. “The practice causes drawn-out suffering. Horses are fattened up over the months until they get ill,” reports Sabrina Gurtner, project manager at AWF. The only purpose of the feed is to make them gain weight. The result is painful hoof and metabolic diseases. Sick horses are not given medical treatment. They should be given drugs like the anti-inflammatory painkiller phenylbutazone, but this drug is prohibited if the animal is to be slaughtered for human consumption. The feedlot manager confirms this to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency CFIA: “(…) phenylbutazone isn’t an option for horses going to slaughter. (…) their condition gets worse as they get heavier, but we can’t treat them because of the EU program.”


 

 © Animals’ Angels USA, AWF|TSB

“In the course of our on-site investigations we repeatedly document lame horses, horses with laminitis and horses that have died of their illnesses or injuries,” says Sabrina Gurtner. Mares and stallions are mixed in Bouvry Exports’ feedlot. They take in pregnant animals too. “The chances of survival for foals in pens designed for fattening are slim. We’ve found sick foals in summer and foals that have frozen to death at birth in winter,” recalls Sabrina Gurtner.
 
“We import the horsemeat directly from Canada. We source it mainly from the Bouvry farm in Alberta, which is without a doubt the most appropriate, respectful horse breeding farm in the world. The horses there live in semi-freedom.” This is Swiss importer Skin Packing S.A. describing the way horses are kept at Bouvry Exports. “That’s not what we’ve observed on the ground for over a decade,” counters Sabrina Gurtner. Respectful breeders would not let foals freeze to death at birth or raise them in fattening pens like these. Professor Stephanie Krämer from Justus Liebig University in Giessen thinks this way of keeping horses is irreconcilable with animal welfare. “These animals aren’t fed properly or given care. Depriving the horses of medical treatment is also done intentionally, so that their meat can be exported. The pain these animals suffer is knowingly accepted.”
 
Horsemeat from Uruguay
 
For years, AWF and TSB have been monitoring the stages horses pass through before being slaughtered in EU-certified abattoirs for EU and Swiss customers. In a recent long-term investigation spanning two years in conjunction with a pre-announced EU inspection, the three EU-certified slaughterhouses Clay, Sarel and El Amanecer were observed covertly and overtly before, during and after the EU visit. “Our research shows that the EU audits are manipulated through extensive preparations,” reports Sabrina Gurtner. What is particularly striking is that only a fraction of the horses are on the slaughterhouse pastures during the audits. “These are selected horses in good overall condition. They’re placed on green pastures with protection from the weather. But that’s not the reality before and after the monitoring visits. Once the inspectors have left, the horses are put back on dusty, dirty fields, often without roughage and sometimes even without water. And instead of 40 to 60 healthy horses, there are hundreds. These include pregnant mares, seriously injured and severely emaciated animals,” Sabrina Gurtner says, describing her observations 14 days after the EU audit. “The behaviour of the workers is striking too. As soon as they feel unobserved, they use their driving flags as batons and beat the horses systematically,” says Sabrina Gurtner.

   
   
 © Animal Welfare Foundation & Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR)

Problem: traceability and food safety
 
AWF and its partner organisations are generally critical of the inadequate traceability of horses in overseas meat production. There is no identification system for horses like there is in Europe. Several changes of ownership are common and many horses are traded at auctions. The last owner, usually the slaughter horse trader, provides information on medications and the origin of the horses they sell to slaughterhouses. “People rely on the honesty of the profiteers. That opens the way to systematic fraud and puts consumers in the EU and Switzerland at risk,” criticises Sabrina Gurtner.
 
“We regularly get reports from Uruguay and Argentina about stolen and smuggled horses. The police have put together a number of special units to convict mafia-like gangs,” says Sabrina Gurtner. Most recently, a criminal gang dedicated to smuggling stolen horses from Brazil was broken up in Uruguay in December 2022. The gang included a former police officer and the head of customs in Rivera.
 
Slaughter figures in Uruguay have been rising steadily for some years. It was 52,000 horses in 2022. Swiss importer Skin Packing has been promising for years to commit to improving its source slaughterhouses. “We haven’t seen any substantial improvements in animal welfare during our inspections,” says Sabrina Gurtner. AWF and its partner organisations have been criticising the abuse and neglect of slaughter horses in Uruguay and Argentina for years. Past EU audits confirmed animal welfare violations and the manipulation of audits by slaughterhouse operators in both countries.
 
“Considering the unresolved animal welfare problems in overseas slaughterhouses since 2012, the European Commission should take action at last and stop the import of horsemeat from cruel production,” demands AWF and its partner organisations.
 
Partner organisations in the EU and overseas:
 
Animales Sin Hogar (Uruguay), Animals’ Angels (USA), Canadian Horse Defence Coalition (Canada), Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (Australia), Dier&Recht (Netherlands), Fondation Franz Weber (Argentina), GAIA (Belgium), IHP Italian Horse Protection (Italy), Tierschutzbund Zürich (Switzerland), Welfarm (France), supported by Eurogroup for Animals (Brussels)
 
 For a full dossier please contact CPR on [email protected]

Documentary films:
 
Uruguay:
Trailer: https://youtu.be/ZlkMJHgeSzE
Film: https://youtu.be/bFJlGALxgws
 
Canada:
Trailer: https://youtu.be/RtvJ5FAZVWs
Film: https://youtu.be/X6q1sT0e2c0
 
 
International petition:
www.change.org/stopp-horsemeat-imports-en 
 
 
Contact:
Sabrina Gurtner
Project Manager
Animal Welfare Foundation
[email protected]

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10171/