Your Say: Horse meat for human consumption

Published: 9:06AM Tuesday September 01, 2009

  • Print this article
  • Text size + -

Close Up's story on the sale of horse meat intended for pet food but being eaten by some Aucklanders has led to an inquiry by Food Safety New Zealand. The story has also got you talking. Here is a selection of some feedback we have received on the story.

"I highly commend your reporter who did the piece on the horse meat being sold. Good on you for standing your ground and not letting him intimidate you. I think eating horse is horrid and he should be shut down. I am quite familiar with butchering as my dad did it, so I know the rules they have for meat for eating and I know the rules they don't have for doing meat for pet food. Thanks for bringing this out for all to see." - Sally, Palmerston North.

"The meat being label as "not for human consumption", it is then the choice of the consumer whether he wants to eat it or not! I do not understand then why your reporter was so winded up and even aggressive with the staff from the abattoir. I thought the ethics of being a reporter implies that you do your best to stay impartial, which your reporter was obviously not!" - Floriane, Dunedin.

"What's the problem with eating horse meat? In France it's a delicacy. Provided the abattoir in question has appropriate hygiene standards then there should be no issue. If the point of Close Up's story is that a pet food abattoir is selling food to people that doesn't meet hygiene standards, then that should be the focus; not the species." - Bruten.

"You have delivered a supreme service to the people - you have investigated the delivery of food. The Food Safety Authority are a typically pathetic lapdog of industry, giving lip service to real consumer safety and animal welfare, you have touched on the tip of an iceberg - fantastic stuff! Keep up the superb work." - Ray, Gisborne.

"I felt sick watching Matt Chisholm having to endure that obscene interaction with a complete "BULLY". I hope the authorities deal to him and give him what he deserves." - Margo, Christchurch.

"With regards to the horse meat sale, - the importers of NZ beef and lamb just have to hear all this and they will think twice about dealing with our meat industry." - Wendy.

What do you think of this whole issue? Share your thoughts on the messageboard below.

  • Print this article
  • Text size + -
  • more...

Add a Comment:

Post new comment
  • Arie said on 2009-09-01 @ 13:30 NZDT: Report abusive post

    Our family have been butchers in Beverwijk North Holland and sold hors meat since 1920. In the Netherlands you have horse meat shops only. There is a lot of iron in it. Why to obtain 5x 200ml iron in hospital? Pregnant ladies were always advised by there doctor to consume horse steak. Why is it only for export? We love it, why can't we buy it in NZ. Arie

  • amc176 said on 2009-09-01 @ 10:35 NZDT: Report abusive post

    People should be concerned about eating horse meat. Horses generally live a lot longer than sheep and cows, therefore, they bio-accumulate more heavy metals and toxins, especially in their internal organs. one example is cadmium levels in offal, they are known to be higher in the livers and kidneys of horses and other long lived animals (e.g. moose) than sheep and cows. This is one of the reasons why offal can not be sold from animals that are over the age of 2.5yrs.

  • mouthguard said on 2009-09-01 @ 09:57 NZDT: Report abusive post

    wow, people are precious about horses eh? And racist too as it turns out. It isn't just Tongans that eat horses Marise (I am not even sure they do), travel to Italy and you will see dedicated equine butchers shops. man alive, expand your thoughts and lay off the bigotry. Unless you are vegan, you have no moral high-ground here. Horse meat is just meat. Why is it suddenly dirty or not fit for human consumption?

Latest Close Up Video

Close Up

Most Popular

  1. Strong quake hits Christchurch watch
  2. Canterbury crash victim named
  3. Rena captain and navigation officer jailed watch
  4. Two men arrested after protest outside Auckland hotel watch
  5. English suggests jobless move to Christchurch watch

rssLatest News

Advertising

How do you want your news?

  • Mobile Devices

    TVNZ is available on mobile phones: Text TVNZ to 8869.

  • News Feeds

    See when TVNZ have added new content. You can get the latest headlines anywhere.

  • Podcasts

    Enjoy TVNZ on the move - a wide range of programmes and highlights are available.