An undercover investigation has blown the lid on the mass slaughter of Australia’s retired racehorses for meat trade.
Australia’s national broadcaster ABC recorded more than 1,000 hours of covert footage which showed workers beating, electrocuting, and severely abusing horses brutally killing them.
The footage was aired on ABC’s 7.30pm program and has led to public outrage over alleged violations in animal welfare.
Paul McGreevy, a vet and professor of animal behavior and welfare science dealing with thoroughbreds for 25 years, told ABC: “We’re talking about destroying animals on an industrial scale. We’re seeing animals suffering.”
Hall of Fame trainer Lee Freedman, tweeted: “I am broken hearted at the ABC report. If we don’t make real changes the court of public opinion will bury racing.”
The footage has prompted government investigation. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk called for an “urgent” investigation. Addressing the parliament, she said: “This was deeply disturbing, horrendous footage.
“I want to make sure that we leave no stone unturned and ensure we do everything possible to stamp out animal cruelty.”
Thoroughbreds
Horse racing is a $1 billion industry and an excess of horses are bred in attempts to find the next Melbourne Cup winner. In the last financial year, the industry produced 14,000 foals, which according to experts is unsustainable.
Slaughtering racehorses is not considered a criminal offence in Australian law, but the industry prohibits the practice and mandates that every single racehorse must be rehomed at retirement.
The industry claims that about 8,500 horses are made to retire from the racing industry each year and only a fraction of the racehorses end up in the abattoir under unavoidable circumstances.
Speaking to ABC, McGreevy said: “The industry tells us that 0.4 per cent of horses leaving the racing industry are ending up in a knackery or an abattoir, which I think equates to 34 horses per year.
“That’s what the industry is assuring us of.
However, ABC’s footage showed more than 40 race horses being slaughtered in one day alone.
“The figures don’t add up,” he continued.
“If my concerns are substantiated, then we’re talking about a large number of horses that are meeting a very grisly end.”
The mass slaughter is speculated to cater to growing demand for horse meat in Europe, Russia and Japan for lucrative returns.
Response
Following the episode’s telecast, Racing NSW issued its statement on the ABC report:
“Following the program that aired on the ABC’s 7.30 Report last night, Racing NSW Chief Executive, Peter V’landys AM, unequivocally condemned the alleged abhorrent actions of the Meramist Queensland Abattoir.
“The vision was sickening, and horrendous and Racing NSW calls upon the Queensland Government and its Department of Primary Industries to take the strongest possible action against the alleged perpetrators of such cruelty. Such conduct and any mistreatment of horses is not tolerated in the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Industry.”
The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission will now lead the investigation and is expected to release an official report in early 2020.
What do you think of ABC’s undercover footage? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
UK’s first fully vegan school kitchen is a huge hit among pupils
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 23rd May 2022
The Lady of Sion School in Worthing opened what is believed to be UK’s first 100% Plant-Based Canteen serving black bean and quinoa meatballs in barbecue sauce, veggie fajitas with Mexican rice and meatless feast pizza. A school in West Sussex has received an overwhelming positive response after it adopted an all-vegan menu. In January, …
Continue reading “UK’s first fully vegan school kitchen is a huge hit among pupils”
75% of Brits prefer vegan cars, says new study
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 17th May 2022
A number of companies already offer a variety of plant-based leathers using everything from apples and cactus to pineapple leaves. A new poll has revealed that a majority of UK motorists are keen on buying fully vegan cars. In a research commissioned by the Vegan Society, people were asked about their opinions on vegan cars …
Continue reading “75% of Brits prefer vegan cars, says new study”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …