McGrigor supports campaign to end long-distance transportation of horses to slaughter in Europe

Highlands & Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor along with nearly eighty Scottish horse enthusiasts, joined an evening reception recently at the Scottish Parliament to show their support for World Horse Welfare’s Make A Noise campaign, aimed at ending the long-distance transportation of horses to slaughter in Europe.

The evening reception, hosted by World Horse Welfare and John Scott MSP was a success thanks to the wide range of attendees, including MSPs, horse and agricultural industry professionals, supporters and vets who all pledged to act to help end the practice, which causes over 100,000 horses a year to suffer.

Director of Campaigns and Communications at World Horse Welfare, Jo White, says: ‘We’re really pleased with such an outstanding show of Scottish support as we need as many people as possible to help us to tackle decision makers to end this inhumane trade’.

Dehydration, extreme exhaustion and injury are just some of the ways in which horses, ponies and donkeys suffer when travelling the slaughter route from source countries such as Poland, Romania and Spain to Italy, the main destination. These unnecessary journeys take days – one frequently used route passes 180 slaughter houses licensed for horses, meaning needless suffering continues rather than the horses being slaughtered and their chilled carcases shipped to consuming countries.

The reception comes just a few months after the hand-over of World Horse Welfare’s Dossier of Evidence to Commissioner Vassiliou (Commissioner for Health) in Strasbourg. The charity is now focusing on gaining as much support for the compelling document as possible. With transportation laws set to be reviewed this year, the Commission has given a clear indication that the recommendations outlined in the Dossier, on issues such as space allowance and journey times, will be given serious consideration.

Jamie McGrigor has backed his colleague John Scott MSP’s motion on World Horse Welfare’s campaign to end the long-distance transportation of horses to slaughter in Europe, which has so far been signed by 46 MSPs. Jamie comments: ‘I agree that it is unacceptable to think that in the twenty first century such a trade is allowed to continue when there are alternative methods which don’t involve vast numbers of horses suffering’.

If you haven’t yet signed World Horse Welfare’s Make A Noise petition please do it now online -  or call 01953 497262 for a paper copy.