Protesters hold signs condemning the treatment of race horses in Sydney. Photo: EPA
Source:
https://scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3033968/australia-opens-investigation-industrial-slaughter-racehorses Australasia
Australia opens investigation into ‘industrial’ slaughter of racehorses
- A report by national broadcaster ABC found up to 4,000 horses ‘disappeared’ each year, their meat shipped abroad or turned into pet food
- But the country’s racing industry insists that less than 1 per cent of retired racehorses end up in an abattoir or knackery
People protest against the treatment of race horses during The TAB Everest race day at the Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Saturday. Photo: EPA
The secret and “industrial scale” killing of retired Australian racehorses will be examined in a government inquiry, officials said on Tuesday, after an outcry over alleged animal cruelty.
While the slaughter of racehorses is not illegal in Australia, an investigation by national broadcaster ABC last week found the practice was far more widespread than acknowledged.
Meat from prize-winning horses had been shipped abroad for human consumption and pet food, according to the report, which came just weeks ahead of the prestigious Melbourne Cup turf race.
Secretly filmed footage allegedly showed workers at an abattoir north of Brisbane beating and abusing horses, prompting Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to announce an “urgent” inquiry into the treatment of retired thoroughbreds.
The entrance to a pet meat producer in Sydney featured in the ABC investigation. Photo: EPA
“This was deeply disturbing, horrendous footage,” she told Queensland’s parliament.
“I want to make sure that we leave no stone unturned and ensure we do everything possible to stamp out animal cruelty.”
The racing industry insists that less than 1 per cent of retired racehorses end up in an abattoir or knackery, with some states, including New South Wales, requiring they be rehomed.
A protester wears a horse mask outside a racecourse in Sydney. Photo: EPA
But the ABC claimed that about 4,000 horses “disappeared” each year.
It said it had forensically crossmatched horses slaughtered at the Queensland facility, using microchips and branding marks, to the industry’s official record of thoroughbreds.
“We’re talking about destroying animals on an industrial scale,” University of Sydney professor Paul McGreevy told the broadcaster last week.
About 300 racehorses, with a combined prize money of almost A$5 million (US$3.4 million), reportedly went through the abattoir in just 22 days.
Protesters hold signs outside the Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney. Photo: EPA
Racing industry figures have widely condemned the alleged mistreatment of the animals and called for reforms.
The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, a watchdog tasked with safeguarding the welfare of racing animals, will oversee the investigation.
It is expected to report its findings in early 2020.