Animals' Angels investigators
observed harsh conditions in EU approved Mexican
slaughterhouses during an intensive investigation
conducted in September 2012. The goal of this follow up investigation
was to check if any improvements had been made since the 2007/2008
investigations had revealed abhorrent conditions. Animal welfare
investigators are accustomed to observing the most egregious
treatment of animals. Even the slightest improvements are welcome,
but do not bring a cease fire to the battle for humane treatment of
all animals transported to slaughter.
WARNING! Report and video contain extremely graphic
images that might be disturbing to some viewers.
EU inspections of
Mexican slaughter houses are scheduled in advance, clearly giving
notice to the slaughterhouses to comply with regulations on that one
day of inspection.
Animals'
Angels arrived unannounced at several of the EU approved plants as
they observed multiple trucks carrying horses from the US to
slaughter. Horses were jammed into transport trailers, resulting in
biting and fighting among them. The common use of trailers with no
roof is cruel as the intensive sun in the transport areas beats down
upon horses already over-heated due to over-crowding and long waiting
times inside parked trailers at US broker offices and the border. (Please read more about this
issue here...)
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Emaciated mare with US slaughter
tag
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One
transport trailer observed arriving at the Inter Meats plant
contained many emaciated horses and others with snotty noses and
discharge-clotted eyes. After travelling at least 16 hours with no
food or water, they were unloaded in pens with no food or water
during observance by the investigators.
Alarmingly,
amongst them were BLM branded horses. These mustangs were shipped by
Triple Crown Ranch from Meeker,OK. Examination of owner/shipper
paperwork by Triple Crown Ranch reveals identical information as to
previous certificates, as if Triple Crown has shipped the same group
of horses over and over again. This is in clear violation of
paperwork intended to track contaminated meat. Investigators left
when told by slaughterhouse personnel to cease filming.
The
following day, investigators arrived at Carnicos de Jerez
slaughterhouse in Jerez, MX observing that a solid block wall and
manned security gate had been erected around the premises blocking
all view from outside the premises.
Investigators
proceeded to Empacadora de Ganadera de Camargo, the newest EU
approved plant. The horses were held in open pens at the Carmargo
plant, exposed to the hot Mexican sun, with limited access to food
and water. Many of the horses were extremely emaciated and
investigators found a downed horse that slaughterhouse staff
did not check during the time of the observation.
A large pit
holding horse carcasses was found. The bodies were left uncovered for
vultures to eat. There were bones and body parts scattered throughout
the area. The smell of decomposition filled the air. Horses' tails
and hair could be seen drying on wooden planks with the USDA tags
still attached, some stuffed into feedbags.
While being
moved the horses were forced to walk through areas with no bedding or
traction. The slippery floors caused several to fall with full
force.
Prior to
entering the killbox, horses are subjected to a pressurized water
shower resulting in one horse to panic during our time of
observation. The horse tried to jump the chute's concrete wall;
workers forced him back into the chute, but he obtained a bleeding
face injury in this struggle.
Our
investigators were able to obtain documentation of the slaughter
process. Led into a kill pen, the horse is stunned by a captive bolt.
The left hind leg is secured with a chain in order to hang the horse
from a beam. Blood is drawn for testing. They are then cut open and
bled out.
As explained
in our full investigative report
(Warning - report contains graphic images) , the investigation
revealed several areas of concern.
Council Directive 2002/99/EC states that third countries importing meat into the
European Union have to comply with Community Legislation.Obviously
this is not happening. Specifically, animal welfare requirements at
slaughter must be met in accordance with Council Directive
93/119/EC.
Observations
at the Camargo plant show that horses slip and fall during movement
to the plant due to slippery surfaces. Additionally, one horse
panicked after being showered and tried to escape over the concrete
wall of the chute
obtaining a bleeding face injury. A non-ambulatory horse was observed
which did not receive immediate attention. Observations at the
Camargo plant as well as the Aguacalientes plant show that horses did
not have access to water at all times.
Horses are transported to the plant in open roof trailers that offer
absolutely no protection from the desert sun. Loaded trailers are
parked for an extended time at border crossings and checkpoints,
causing overheating.
Evidence
obtained by Animals' Angels shows
that the paperwork used to identify the horses in the individual
shipment is often falsified and therefore not reliable. The
information regarding sex, breed and age of the horses in different
shipments is identical on multiple owner/shipper certificates.
Consequently, it can't be determined where the horses in such
shipments originated.
Slaughterhouses
and suppliers are in clear violation of EU standards yet the
violations continue unabated with no repercussions. Animals' Angels investigations
are used to educate consumers in the EU, citing mistreatment and
possible contamination of the American horse meat they pay a premium
for.
(Warning - report contains graphic images)
(Warning - video contains extremely graphic images
that might the disturbing to some. Viewer discretion is advised)
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