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

5. The Legal Status of Horse Meat in the USA and UK

The USA: Banned but Still an Underground Market

In the USA, the slaughter of horses for meat is banned under federal law, but the issue remains contentious. Although slaughterhouses are no longer allowed to process horses for human consumption, horse meat is still available through illegal channels. Some horse meat is smuggled into the country or sold through underground markets, often posing serious health and safety risks.

Additionally, the banning of horse slaughterhouses has not stopped horse racing and breeding industries from finding alternative ways to dispose of horses that are no longer able to work or compete. This issue has led to calls for better legislation to ensure that horses are treated humanely, especially in their final years.

The UK: Legal, But Rarely Consumed

In the UK, horse meat is legal to consume but remains relatively rare in the mainstream food market. After the 2013 scandal, public attitudes towards horse meat became even more cautious, and while there are some specialty shops and butchers that offer horse meat for sale, it is not a common part of the UK diet.

Interestingly, the consumption of horse meat has historically been more accepted in some European countries, such as France, Belgium, and Italy, where horse steaks and sausages are seen as gourmet products. However, in the UK, horse meat remains a fringe offering, often seen as controversial and unwanted.