Exclusion from the food chain

Equines play many different roles in society as they are perhaps one of the most versatile animals – from athletes to meat production, from pets to a source of transport. This diversity may lead to severe problems when seeking legislative protection since equines do not fit neatly into modern legislation and policy making, and they can easily fall into gaps between laws drafted for companion animals and agricultural animals, often leading to welfare detriment.

Unlike most agricultural livestock, many equines are bred for purposes other than for human consumption but can end up being slaughtered for meat. Essential substances that are not listed on the EU rules (Regulation (EU) No 1950/2006 and Regulation (EU) No 37/2010) cannot be administered to an animal intended for human consumption. Once an equine is administered with one of those prohibited substances, the equine is permanently excluded from the food chain. This permanent exclusion can lead to various welfare issues such as abandonment, neglection, illegal slaughter, etc.

World Horse Welfare advocates for a withdrawal period to be established for this substance to help ensure these animals can enter the food chain without compromising their welfare or food safety. This period, however, has to be performed under high standards so that the welfare and health of the equines is not put at risk. As well, we believe it is essential for the EU to move towards an identification and registration fully digitalised system, which will have both health and welfare benefits as well as huge implications on food safety and human health, especially in terms of traceability of equines and transparency of the whole food chain.