Europol raids network accused of illegal horse meat trade
Europol has taken part in raids across four European countries targeting a suspected network accused of illegally trading racehorses for human consumption.
Around 200 investigators carried out operations in Ireland, France, the Netherlands and Belgium as part of an investigation into the alleged use of forged certificates and altered identification records to send former racehorses to slaughterhouses.
Investigators say some of the horses had not been approved for human consumption but were nevertheless slaughtered and their meat entered the food supply.
Forged documents under investigation
Belgian prosecutors in Dendermonde said suspects allegedly used falsified documents and illegally altered microchips to make former racehorses appear eligible for slaughter.
Many of the animals had reportedly been given veterinary medicines that meant they were not authorized for human consumption.
Prosecutors said the alleged scheme could turn horses with little or no commercial value into animals worth between €1,000 and €1,500 when sold for slaughter.
More than 1,000 horses checked
Investigators inspected more than 1,000 horses during the operation, with several animals seized. Authorities are also examining the fate of other horses believed to be connected to the network.
More than €100,000 in cash was seized in Belgium, where three suspects were arrested.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not disclosed the total number of horses believed to have been processed through the alleged network.
Racehorses allegedly transported across Europe
Dutch animal welfare organization House of Animals said many of the horses were former racehorses retired in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
According to the organization, the animals were allegedly transported under poor conditions to other European countries before being sent to slaughterhouses.
House of Animals also said processed horse meat may have entered products including meatballs and croquettes and been distributed through wholesalers.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the alleged network, the movement of the horses and whether meat from animals that were not authorized for human consumption reached consumers.
Source:efsyn.gr
