The Other Side Of French Horsemeat
We may get worried about horsemeat appearing in burgers and lasagne, but I don’t think that those like me, who choose their food with care, have much to worry about, as I said here.
But one point about the French and horsemeat has been quietly forgotten. The French, like we do, love their heavy horses. And coming from Suffolk, you don’t forget that horses like the Suffolk Horse are on the endangered list. Quite frankly, they are just so expensive to keep!
The French have a pragmatic solution to keeping their heavy horses alive.
They eat them!
I remember an article in the equine press some years ago, which said that the French heavy horses, were in much better health than the British ones, precisely because of their role in the meat trade.
The Anonymous Widower 
I see your point but am a vegetarian who grieves for the animals killed for food, so I am sorry to hear that such noble creatures as horses are part of the trade. I have lived in France and know about the boucheries chevalines, but am sad to see the trade in horse meat increase.
Comment by Janice Mermikli | February 10, 2013 |
If the French didn’t eat their heavy horses, there would be no French heavy horses. It’s the same with a lot of rare bred pigs and cattle in the UK. If they weren’t eaten, they would just be kept as pets. Think too about all the jobs created by making and selling food like rare breed sausages.
Comment by AnonW | February 10, 2013 |
I know you are right but it still makes me sad.
Comment by Janice Mermikli | February 10, 2013
I’m also a coeliac, which means that to get my B12, I either have to eat meat and/or have injections derived from animals. I once met a vegetarian, who used to eat liver once a month to make sure she stayed healthy. As in those days, most liver was thrown away, she didn’t feel she was directly contributing to the cruelty.
But staying healthy is a responsibility we all have!
Comment by AnonW | February 10, 2013 |
I see your point, but in my case I am a vegetarian who is fortunate enough to be in good health, probably because I have a healthy diet, don’t smoke and don’t drink, so I never need to eat meat, fish or poultry.
I am also a regular blood donor.
Comment by Janice Mermikli | February 10, 2013 |