Paola Frassinetti, an Italian MP, introduced a legislative
proposition which would ban the slaughter of equidae in Italy and change the horses’ definition from “farm animals” to “pets”.
Italian companies import tens of thousands of live horses
from Poland, Romania, Spain and Latin America every year. These transports last several days
and often infringe EU regulations.
The new law would also
guarantee the creation of shelters and sanctuaries for homeless horses who would otherwise end up in slaughter plants.
Among those leading the call for a ban is previous agriculture minister of Italy,
Luca Zaia, who says horses should not be eaten and instead "considered
just like cats and dogs."
