End in sight for horse death-marches

12.00.00am GMT Fri 19th Feb 2010

Horse welfare campaigners are celebrating a last-minute-winner in the battle to gain EU protection for horses transported across Europe for slaughter.

Just days before the deadline, a European Parliament written declaration calling on the EU to take action finally secured the signatures of over 368 MEPs.

Over 100,000 horses are transported across Europe for slaughter every year, many of them in inhumane conditions, causing exhaustion, dehydration, injury and death.

Among the abuses uncovered are examples of horses being denied rest stops, food and water, and packed into steel lorries where temperatures can rise to above 40 degrees.

The European Parliament's declaration means that the European Commission will now look into the issue and make proposals to Parliament.

South West Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson worked closely with World Horse Welfare to secure support for the declaration. He said;

"Horses serve humans admirably during their lifetime, and it is only right that they are given a dignified end to their lives.

"I was delighted to work alongside World Horse Welfare, my Lib Dem colleagues and more than 120,000 supporters to make sure this declaration was a success.

"I look forward to hearing what the European Commission have to say on the matter, and taking on the fight to secure protection for horses being transported across Europe."