For Immediate Release
Wild for Life Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
Oct 13, 2012
The European Commission Directorates-General Health and Consumers
issues audit report on Public Health concerns related to Equine Meat
originated from the U.S. The report reveals systems do not meet EU standards, that 80% of the horses derived for slaughter come from the U.S., yet the USDA takes no responsibility with regard to their origin...
According to a food safety audit report regarding equine meat just released 10-11-2012, the system in place do not meet EU standards. Findings reveal that of the eligible horses slaughtered for the production of meat to be exported to the EU, 80% is derived from horses imported from the US.
In addition, there was no evidence in the USDA documents that the
USDA takes any responsibility with regard to the origin of the animals
or to the reliability of the sworn statements on the medical treatments
of animals. Further, the horses are not identified during the full six
months covered by these statements. Also, there is no system in place to
verify the declarations accompanying the horses presented for
slaughter.
The overall conclusion is that the system in place for
identification of live horses, the affidavits and the official controls
thereof are presently not providing equivalent standards to those
provided for by EU legislation.
The final report from the audit carried out in Mexico from April 17th- 27th, 2012 was performed in order to review the animal health control and certification procedures applicable to exports of live equidae to the European Union.
Subsequent to the Final Audit Report, U.S., it has been reported that
U.S. auction houses postponed sales of horses for the purpose of
slaughter for human consumption, and Canadian horse slaughter plants
have temporarily shut down.
These issues and findings directly related to contaminants recently found in horsemeat by Belgium officials were brought to light earlier through the powerful documentary film SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES: A NATION BETRAYED .
The film has been submitted for Oscar consideration (2012 theatrical
release date TBA). “SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES” an educational film
project under Wild for Life Foundation, is set for theatrical release in
NYC later this year. The Academy qualifying theatrical release is
anticipated to bring international attention to these important issues.
SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES brings to light imminent and urgent health risks to humans and the environmental impact caused by the capture, removal, transport, and stockpiling of both wild and domestic horses to be slaughtered for their meat. Filmmaker, Katia Louise states that “the environmental impact is devastating, the animal cruelty is shocking, and the public health risks are appalling.”
SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES: A Nation Betrayed
is a brilliant and hard hitting exposé that reveals how the public has
been misled by government agencies and corporate interests that run over
the laws that are supposed to protect the horses, the public and the
environment.
Further information about the EU Report is available online at the
European Commission press room, Directorate-General Health &
Consumers, Belgium, under “food safety - Food and Veterinary Office -
audit reports”: MX Mexico - Public Health - Equine meat - meat products and casings
According to the EU website, the European Commission Directorates-General Health & Consumers strives to make Europe a healthier, safer place, where consumers can be confident that their interests are protected.
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