Risk of horsemeat entering UK food chain again, experts warn
The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) said there was a significant threat to food safety posed by the current paper-based passport system used for horse transport.
Speaking to The Grocer, Dr Jason Aldiss, executive director of AIMS, said: 'There is absolutely nothing stopping a horse euthanised with barbiturates – rendering its meat a toxic hazard – from being passed off as a clean carcase for human consumption.
'We are sitting on a ticking time bomb.'
AIMS is calling for the 'urgent' introduction of mandatory digital IDs to replace the 'dangerously outdated' paper-based passport system.
They said the system was unable to accurately update ownership, transfer or death records, and argued it 'remains ineffective due to a lack of mandatory, real-time data input by owners'.
With no centralised enforcement, the illegal substitution of horsemeat for red meat remained a genuine threat, the Grocer reported.
Similar calls were made earlier this year by the British Horse Council (BHC), Horse and Hound reported.
Speaking at the National Equine Forum in March, BHC chair David Mountford said: 'In 2013, the horse meat scandal didn't appear for no reason. It appeared because beef prices were high, there was high demand and beef supply was limited.
'Horse meat supply was plentiful and it was cheap. That situation is recurring now.
'So the triggers that made the problem happen in 2013 are there now and is there horse meat in your lasagne? Don't know. Nobody's tested it but it's a distinct possibility.
'When we look back, the recommendations from everyone involved in 2013 were digital ID and traceability. Let's hope the progress we make pre-empts and stops us buying horse meat in our next batch of ready prepared food.'
At the same event, Defra minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock said: 'Let me assure you that the Government recognises the importance of equine identification and traceability to equine health and welfare and to public health, biosecurity and trade.
'The Government wants to see a robust and streamlined system for digitising equine identification. But we have paused work in this critical area while we tackle the very real challenges around public finances.
'My officials continue to engage with the British Horse Council (BHC) to explore ways equine ID and traceability can be improved within resourcing constraints. A very positive meeting took place last week, at which the creation of an industry/Defra co-design project was agreed, to explore a way ahead with this.'
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Glasgow Times
22-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
Risk of horsemeat entering UK food chain again, experts warn
The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) said there was a significant threat to food safety posed by the current paper-based passport system used for horse transport. Speaking to The Grocer, Dr Jason Aldiss, executive director of AIMS, said: 'There is absolutely nothing stopping a horse euthanised with barbiturates – rendering its meat a toxic hazard – from being passed off as a clean carcase for human consumption. 'We are sitting on a ticking time bomb.' AIMS is calling for the 'urgent' introduction of mandatory digital IDs to replace the 'dangerously outdated' paper-based passport system. They said the system was unable to accurately update ownership, transfer or death records, and argued it 'remains ineffective due to a lack of mandatory, real-time data input by owners'. With no centralised enforcement, the illegal substitution of horsemeat for red meat remained a genuine threat, the Grocer reported. Similar calls were made earlier this year by the British Horse Council (BHC), Horse and Hound reported. Speaking at the National Equine Forum in March, BHC chair David Mountford said: 'In 2013, the horse meat scandal didn't appear for no reason. It appeared because beef prices were high, there was high demand and beef supply was limited. 'Horse meat supply was plentiful and it was cheap. That situation is recurring now. 'So the triggers that made the problem happen in 2013 are there now and is there horse meat in your lasagne? Don't know. Nobody's tested it but it's a distinct possibility. 'When we look back, the recommendations from everyone involved in 2013 were digital ID and traceability. Let's hope the progress we make pre-empts and stops us buying horse meat in our next batch of ready prepared food.' At the same event, Defra minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock said: 'Let me assure you that the Government recognises the importance of equine identification and traceability to equine health and welfare and to public health, biosecurity and trade. 'The Government wants to see a robust and streamlined system for digitising equine identification. But we have paused work in this critical area while we tackle the very real challenges around public finances. 'My officials continue to engage with the British Horse Council (BHC) to explore ways equine ID and traceability can be improved within resourcing constraints. A very positive meeting took place last week, at which the creation of an industry/Defra co-design project was agreed, to explore a way ahead with this.'
Powys County Times
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Risk of horsemeat entering UK food chain again, experts warn
An industry body has warned that 'serious regulatory failures' could lead to horsemeat entering the UK food chain. The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) said there was a significant threat to food safety posed by the current paper-based passport system used for horse transport. Speaking to The Grocer, Dr Jason Aldiss, executive director of AIMS, said: 'There is absolutely nothing stopping a horse euthanised with barbiturates – rendering its meat a toxic hazard – from being passed off as a clean carcase for human consumption. 'We are sitting on a ticking time bomb.' AIMS is calling for the 'urgent' introduction of mandatory digital IDs to replace the 'dangerously outdated' paper-based passport system. They said the system was unable to accurately update ownership, transfer or death records, and argued it 'remains ineffective due to a lack of mandatory, real-time data input by owners'. With no centralised enforcement, the illegal substitution of horsemeat for red meat remained a genuine threat, the Grocer reported. Similar calls were made earlier this year by the British Horse Council (BHC), Horse and Hound reported. Speaking at the National Equine Forum in March, BHC chair David Mountford said: 'In 2013, the horse meat scandal didn't appear for no reason. It appeared because beef prices were high, there was high demand and beef supply was limited. 'Horse meat supply was plentiful and it was cheap. That situation is recurring now. 'So the triggers that made the problem happen in 2013 are there now and is there horse meat in your lasagne? Don't know. Nobody's tested it but it's a distinct possibility. 'When we look back, the recommendations from everyone involved in 2013 were digital ID and traceability. Let's hope the progress we make pre-empts and stops us buying horse meat in our next batch of ready prepared food.' At the same event, Defra minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock said: 'Let me assure you that the Government recognises the importance of equine identification and traceability to equine health and welfare and to public health, biosecurity and trade. 'The Government wants to see a robust and streamlined system for digitising equine identification. But we have paused work in this critical area while we tackle the very real challenges around public finances. 'My officials continue to engage with the British Horse Council (BHC) to explore ways equine ID and traceability can be improved within resourcing constraints. A very positive meeting took place last week, at which the creation of an industry/Defra co-design project was agreed, to explore a way ahead with this.'
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Risk of horsemeat entering UK food chain again, experts warn
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