Irish Horse Abattoir Shut Down Amidst Welfare Abuses Investigation
The abattoir where RTÉ Investigates filmed “distressing” footage of welfare abuses on horses has been shut down by Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue.
McConalogue said his Department is “actively investigating the absolutely abhorrent mistreatment of animals and suspected criminality” at Ireland’s only active horse abattoir in Straffan, Co Kildare.
He added that the “full rigour of the law will be applied where warranted, and no stone left unturned”.
While McConalogue said he cannot comment in detail on the investigation, he outlined that the following actions have been taken.
- No animals have entered the food chain from this slaughter plant in the past three weeks
- All carcases that were presented for slaughter last week are detained
- The operation of the plant is now fully suspended.
The abattoir is operated through Shannonside Foods, who told RTÉ that the footage captured “will be fully investigated by the Company”.
Minister McConalogue also remarked that he is “committed” to improving equine traceability and equine welfare standards.
He added that a “collective effort across the European Union is required to further improve the traceability system”.
Meanwhile, a protest took place yesterday at the abattoir in Straffan where the hidden footage was filmed.
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