Horse meat could be banned in Italy thanks to a bill drafted by politician Michela Brambilla calling for the practice to be made illegal.

If approved, those found guilty of slaughtering any equine (including horses, donkeys and mules) could be imprisoned for up to three years and fined up to €100,000 (£87,000).

The bill also proposes mandatory microchipping and a national monitoring system for equines, as well as a €6m fund to help breeders adapt their businesses.

“While in the Anglo-Saxon world, eating horses is almost unthinkable, in our country the species is literally exploited to the bone: despite its decline, Italy is one of the largest consumers of horsemeat among major European countries,” said Michela.

“But friends are not to be eaten. And if my proposal manages to become law, the final race will no longer be to the slaughterhouse blades.”

A recent report published by Animal Equality Italia revealed that 17% of meat eaters in Italy ate horse meat at least once a month.

Eighty three percent said they did not eat horse meat and of these, 73% said their choice was down to a sense of empathy for the animal.

“We are in the 21st century and yet equines continue to be exploited in a wide variety of ways,” said Michela, who is president of Leidaa, a non-profit organisation that defends animal rights.

“Horses in particular: under circus tents, in official racetracks, in clandestine races, on the cobblestones of urban centers, pulling carriages in the rain or scorching heat, or hurtling at breakneck speed along medieval palio racetracks.

“And in most cases, thanks to triangulation or complacent certification, the final destination is the slaughterhouse, often after enduring long journeys in unspeakable conditions.”

Opponents say the ban would put businesses and jobs at risk as well as take away a piece of Italy’s cultural heritage.

There are also fears the change could push the market underground and increase horse meat imports from countries with lower welfare standards.

Lead image by Shutterstock

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