Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has said his department has shut down operations at the country’s only equine slaughterhouse.
The move comes days after “abhorrent” scenes of cruelty to horses were secretly filmed and broadcast by RTÉ.
Minister McConalogue has revealed the abattoir, in Straffan, Co Kildare, has effectively been put out of commission pending an investigation by his officials and Gardaí into welfare abuses and illegal activity uncovered by an RTÉ Investigates documentary.
Read the full report on www.independent.ie
Horses: Making a Killing revealed distressing treatment of horses sent for slaughter at the licensed abattoir.
Viewers were shocked to see the hidden camera footage of routine abuse of dying horses, including being whipped, prodded with a pitchfork and physically dragged.
The research focused in particular on a lairage shed where official Department of Agriculture inspectors do not have a remit to regulate or inspect.
The company in question said any allegation of an equine being mistreated “will be fully investigated by the Company”.
Speaking after the programme aired, Minister McConalogue said: “I am taking this matter extremely seriously.”
Tags: