Welfare and health of horses transported for slaughter within the European Union Part 1: Methodology and descriptive data.
Abstract: Anecdotal evidence collected by a variety of organisations has highlighted poor welfare in horses transported long distances to slaughter within the European Union. Objective: To investigate welfare of horses being transported long distances within the EU to slaughter. Methods: Data on transported horses were recorded at 2 assembly centres in Romania and at 4 abattoirs in Italy over an 8 month period in 2008. Results: A total of 1519 horses in 64 separate shipments were observed in Romania prior to transport of which 212 horses were deemed unfit for transport and only 3 shipments (5%) complied with Council Regulation (EC) no. 1/2005 with respect to both horse and vehicle compliance. The destination most commonly stated for the horses from these assembly centres was Italy. A total of 1271 horses in 63 separate shipments were observed after transport in Italy, of which 86 horses in 4 shipments had also been observed prior to transport in Romania. The majority of the horses observed at these abattoirs originated from Poland (51%) and Romania (44%). On arrival in Italy at the time of unloading, 471 of 1271 horses (37%) were deemed unfit for transport in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) no. 1/2005 and none of the shipments were compliant with respect to both vehicle and horse requirements. An average of 6 horses per shipment (28% of each shipment) had at least one acute injury on arrival in Italy. A significantly higher prevalence of severe injuries and lameness was found in animals on arrival In Italy compared with animals leaving Romania. Horses examined on arrival in Italy were twice as likely to have 1-3 acute contusions or excoriations as horses examined in Romania. There was also a 2-fold increase in the number of animals deemed unfit for transport. Conclusions: This study has identified evidence of poor welfare in horses being transported long distances to slaughter, including severe lameness and injuries, and a high level of noncompliance with Council Regulation (EC) no. 1/2005 on the Protection of Animals during Transport.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2010-12-15 PubMed ID: 21143638DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00124.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigated the welfare of horses transported over long distances for slaughter within the European Union, especially between Romania and Italy. The study found a high level of non-compliance with regulatory standards, and poor animal welfare, including severe injuries and lameness.
Research Methodology
- The research was based on data recorded over an eight-month period in 2008 at two assembly centres in Romania and four abattoirs in Italy.
- A total of 1519 horses in 64 separate shipments were observed before transport in Romania, and 1271 horses in 63 separate shipments were observed after transport in Italy.
- Investigations were made into horse and vehicle compliance with Council Regulation (EC) no. 1/2005, a law that outlines the protection of animals during transport.
Observations and Results
- Out of the 1519 horses observed in Romania, 212 were unfit for transport. Nevertheless, they were still transported.
- Only 3 of the 64 shipments (5%) met the requirements of the council regulation in respect to both the condition of the horses and the vehicle.
- On the Italian side, on arrival of the horses, 37% (471 out of 1271) were deemed unfit for transport according to the council regulation, and none of the shipments were compliant with respect to both vehicle and horse requirements.
- On average, 6 horses per shipment (28% of each shipment) had at least one acute injury upon arrival in Italy.
- The study found a significantly higher prevalence of severe injuries and lameness in animals on arrival in Italy compared to the time of departure in Romania.
Conclusions
- The research concluded that there was a high level of non-compliance with Council Regulation (EC) no. 1/2005 concerning the protection of animals during transport between Romania and Italy.
- There were also alarming findings about poor animal welfare, which included the incidence of severe injuries and lameness among the horses.
- This study thus highlights the need for better enforcement of regulations and improvement in animal handling and care during transport.
Cite This Article
APA
Marlin D, Kettlewell P, Parkin T, Kennedy M, Broom D, Wood J.
(2010).
Welfare and health of horses transported for slaughter within the European Union Part 1: Methodology and descriptive data.
Equine Vet J, 43(1), 78-87.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00124.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Hartpury College, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Abattoirs
- Animal Welfare
- Animals
- European Union / statistics & numerical data
- Horse Diseases
- Horses / injuries
- Transportation
Citations
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