Give horsemeat-tainted food to poor - German minister

[The Straight Story]

Give horsemeat-tainted food to poor - German minister

Germany's development minister has suggested food tainted with horsemeat should be distributed to the poor.

Dirk Niebel said he supported the proposal by a member of the governing CDU party, and concluded: "We can't just throw away good food."

The opposition dismissed the idea, but a priest said it should be considered.

Meanwhile, traces of horse DNA have been found in six tonnes of minced beef and 2,400 packs of lasagne bolognese seized from a company in Italy.

The products were packaged by Italian group Primia, which is based in the town of San Giovanni in Persiceto, near the city of Bologna.

...

Meanwhile, France's agriculture ministry said several horse carcasses containing the drug phenylbutazone, also known as bute, had probably entered the human food chain.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21559451

[Angry Dragon]

1. let the German ministar and priest go first ............

[CottonBear]

2. Equine meds & supplements are labeled "not for used in animals intended for food."

I am an equestrian and have owned and ridden horses for over 20 years. Even the hoof treatments that I applied to my mare's hooves and feet were labeled "not for used in animals intended for food." Some of the hormonal medications used for show mares to control ovulation and heat cycles are incredibly powerful. One must wear special gloves and use special equipment to even handle these drugs safely. Most medication, salves and ointments have instructions to wear gloves and avoid all contact with one's skin.

I do not think we should eat horses. However, those people and cultures who do advocate the consumption of equines should realize that horses are fed, sprayed, de wormed, vaccinated and medicated with medications, sprays, ointments and supplements that are labeled "not for used in animals intended for food."

Moreover, unlike livestock raised for human consumption, horses are not raised and cared for in a manner that one would raise cattle. Horses can live for many years and can suffer from a wide variety of diseases and ailments. For instance, chronic melanomas in grey horses, massive parasite loads in the gut, chronic fungal and thrush infections of the skin and feet, equine infectious anemia and West Nile virus to name a few. Non-equine livestock are raised in a regulated manner and slaughtered young in most cases. Horses can live for a very long time. I have known horses in their forties.

In short, unless societies and governments regulate and control the raising and slaughter of equines specifically for human consumption then horse meat is unsafe to eat.

[midwest irish]

3. What is your best/favorite equine-related joke?

[CottonBear]

4. I don't have one. n/t

[Motown_Johnny]

5. If wishes were horses then beggars would eat a lot of horse meat.

Not my favorite but the most appropriate for this thread.

[WinkyDink]

7. Your irrelevant post?

[midwest irish]

8. Cool story bro

[WinkyDink]

6. Can they make cake out of it?