Media Release

8th February 2013

Viva! comment on the horse meat scandal

“Many people will have been understandably shocked by revelations about horse meat being found in beef burgers at several national supermarket chains and in the products of household brands. However, it does throw up some other questions including why the thought of eating horses repulses us but as a nation we think nothing of eating cows?

What really is the difference between a horse and a cow? Or a pig, sheep or chicken for that matter? All are sentient animals that value their lives. Lives that are routinely cut short after no more money can be made from them. Horses often after their owners tire of them, or they become too old to perform. With farmed animals it is as soon as they have reached their slaughter weight at just weeks or months old. In the case of dairy cows, they are sent to the abattoir once their milk yield drops. This is often at just four or five years old, despite having a natural lifespan of 25 years. Much of the meat in beef burgers for sale in British supermarkets will come from exhausted dairy cows.

This is not to say that horses do not suffer, as they do. Viva! has campaigned for years against the trade in live horses, forced to endure gruelling journeys from Poland to the slaughterhouses of Italy. However, if the thought of eating horse troubles you, please spare a thought for the 958 million other animals killed for the British dinner table last year.

If you care about animals – all animals – then the best way to show that is to simply stop eating them.”

Viva! can offer free help for those looking to cut down on meat consumption or looking to cut meat out of their lives completely. Free Go Veggie packs are available by contacting Viva! on 0117 944 1000.

Online help

Go Veggie: http://viva.org.uk/goingveggie/index.php
Go Vegan: http://viva.org.uk/goingvegan/index.php

Notes:

Brits are already cutting meat out of their diets in droves. In 2011, 3 billion fewer meaty meals were eaten in Britain than in 2005. Find out more at: http://viva.org.uk/mediareleases/display.php?articlepid=285

Read about Viva!’s campaigns to save horses from suffering on gruelling transport to slaughter from Poland to Italy: http://viva.org.uk/campaigns/horses/index.htm