70,000 horses 'unaccounted for' (Northern Ireland) possibly sold illegally for meat
70,000 horses 'unaccounted for'
There are an estimated 70,000 horses unaccounted for in Northern Ireland, Labour has claimed as the Government sought to allay fears that contaminated meat was being sold in British supermarkets.
Shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh said unwanted horses were given false paperwork in Northern Ireland before being sold for 10 euro (£8) and then resold to dealers for meat for as much as 500 euro (£423).
She said there was currently a "lucrative" trade in horses, claiming that while the Polish and Romanians were being "conveniently" blamed for the scandal, the contamination problem had started across the Irish Sea.
Speaking in the Commons, Ms Creagh said: "The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have clear evidence of an illegal trade of unfit horses from Ireland to the UK for meat, with horses being re-passported to meet demands for horse meat in mainland Europe.
"It says that there are currently 70,000 horses unaccounted for in Northern Ireland. Unwanted horses are being sold for 10 euro and being sold on for meat for 500 euro - a lucrative trade.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/70000-horses-unaccounted-for-29064195.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
