Brussels, 24 juli 2014 – Urgent ban needed on imports of horsemeat sold under EU label. Animal welfare coalition calls on the European Commission for a ban on horsemeat imports to stop the torturous production in North and South America. The international animal welfare coalition, formed by Tierschutzbund Zürich (Switzerland), Animal Welfare Foundation (Germany), Animals’ Angels (USA), GAIA (Belgium), Eyes on Animals (Netherlands), L214 (France), supported by Eurogroup for Animals (Brussels), recently discussed with the European Commission the results of its long-term investigation into horsemeat production in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina and Uruguay responsible for 26’500 tons horsemeat imports. The report of almost 1000 pages shows systematic violations against EU and Swiss laws compromising animal health, animal welfare, food safety, consumer interests as well as distorting the level playing field for horsemeat producers in Europe. “Throughout the entire horsemeat production chain horses are systematically abused and EU legislation is being flouted at massive scale,” says Reineke Hameleers, Director of Eurogroup for Animals. “The horsemeat is marketed with the EU seal of approval and only a ban on the import of horsemeat from these countries can put an end to the misery of the horses and safeguard consumer protection,” she added.
Download and read the press release: Urgent ban needed on imports of horsemeat sold under EU label.
