asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has considered the advisability of promoting the industry for the processing of horse flesh so as to avoid the necessity for exporting live horses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Processing of Horse Flesh.
Mr. Walsh
The question of allowing the export of horse flesh in carcase or processed form for human consumption raises a number of important issues which would require very careful consideration. Firstly it would be necessary to consider what effect such a development would have on our valuable export trade in other classes of live stock and meat. Secondly, the establishment of an export trade in processed horse flesh would involve considerable technical developments and would necessitate the setting up of special premises which would have to be entirely separate from any used for the slaughter or processing of other classes of animals. It seems questionable whether the large scale expenditure which such an undertaking would involve would be justified in present circumstances.
It is true, is it not, that a considerable factory is in the process of construction at Ballinasloe to deal with broken-down horses and other beasts for conversion into animal feeding stuffs?
Mr. Walsh
I have no information in connection with it.
Look down at your colleague and he will tell you all about it.