Horse Meat in the USA and UK: A Controversial Culinary Delicacy

The Rise of Horse Slaughterhouses in the USA

The practice of slaughtering horses for meat became more widespread in the USA after World War II. During the 1950s and 1960s, horse slaughterhouses began to operate in the country, primarily to supply horse meat for export to countries where the consumption of horse meat was more accepted, such as France, Belgium, and Japan. In fact, in the 1970s, horse meat was being exported to European markets in significant quantities.

However, in 2007, a law was passed that effectively banned the slaughter of horses for human consumption. This ban was the result of growing opposition to the practice, fueled by concerns about animal welfare and the ethical treatment of horses. The ban prohibited the funding of horse slaughter facilities, effectively halting the industry in the USA. Despite this, there is still a thriving black market for horse meat, with some individuals secretly slaughtering horses for meat and selling it on the underground market.