Farm

Horse Slaughter Welfare: Transport and Methods

Horse slaughter for meat involves long-distance transport and slaughter methods with significant welfare concerns distinct from other livestock species.

Key Facts

Horse slaughter for meat occurs primarily in Mexico, Canada, and EU countries including Poland
Long-distance transport is common as horse slaughter facilities are concentrated geographically
Horses are difficult to stun reliably using conventional captive bolt methods
The EU permits horse slaughter but imports horses from non-EU countries under contested welfare conditions

Welfare Considerations

Long-distance transport causes exhaustion, dehydration, and injury in horses with their specific behavioural responses to confinement. Unreliable stunning leads to preventable suffering at slaughter. The welfare case for greatly reduced transport distances and improved stunning verification is strong.

What You Can Do

Advocate for maximum transport time limits for horses destined for slaughter
Support campaigns for improved stunning standards at horse slaughter facilities
Engage with EU horse meat import welfare equivalence debates