Italy set to ban eating of horse meat
By Justine Thompson
General news
08 February 2010 11:37
Italy looks set to ban the eating of horse meat under a cross-party proposal to end its sale.
The country is the largest consumer of horsemeat in Europe, with more than 48,000 metric tonnes eaten every year.
It is a common dish among youngsters because of its high iron content.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, 213,000 horses are slaughtered in Italy every year – and more than 20,000 more are imported from Poland and Eastern Europe for consumption.
Now Italian politicians from all parties are considering banning its slaughter and sale.
Francesca Martini, a minster with the Italian health ministry and a member of the ruling Right-wing coalition, has put forward the bill, arguing that the "dignity of horses should be respected".
The motion is on the desk of the Italian parliament's culture commission, and has won considerably cross party support.
Italy's agriculture minister Luca Zaia is also in favour, and says horses should not be eaten but instead "considered just like cats and dogs".
Mr Zaia said:"I have always been against the slaughter and consumption of horse meat. Horses are fine animals and should be treated as such, they should not be eaten."
His support has angered people who live in his home region of Veneto, which covers Venice and Verona, where horse meat is a culinary delicacy and features in several dishes.
One resident of Verona said: "Horse meat is part of the culinary culture of my city. Politicians are always talking about the loss of traditions but they are quite happy to get rid of this one when it suits them."
However the proposal was welcomed by the Italian Federation for Equine Sports, and animal cruelty charities, who said it was "legislation that had been long overdue".
