Employees of Equine Slaughter Facility Convicted for Non-Compliance with EU Regulations
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In a significant case with wide-reaching implications for both food safety and animal welfare, Shannonside Foods Ltd, together with two of its employees, have been convicted and fined for contravening European Union regulations governing the equine industry.
Regulation 38(1) of the European Union (Identification of Equidae) Regulations 2016 (the "Regulations") provides that it is an offence to be in possession of identification documents (equine passports) in circumstances where the person is not the keeper, owner, or person in possession or charge of the horse to which the passports relate.
On the 4th April 2025 at Limerick District Court, the Director of the Company and the company's Animal Welfare Officer each pleaded guilty to possession of horse passports without corresponding ownership of the associated horses and were fined €3,000, for five offences, and €1,000, for a single offence, respectively. The prosecution was taken by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Shannonside Foods Ltd was also fined €2,000 for two related offences after pleading guilty to possessing a forged horse passport, which had been presented in connection with the slaughter of a horse. The court was informed that the horse passport presented for the animal on the day of the slaughter contained falsified health information on the relevant page, intentionally concealing the fact that the animal was unfit for human consumption. This discrepancy was identified by Department of Agriculture staff who were present during the slaughter process, ensuring that the horse did not enter the food chain.
Under the Regulations, all horses must possess valid identification documents to prevent the introduction of unsafe or untraceable meat into the human food chain.
Shannonside Foods Ltd.'s abattoir's licence has been suspended by the Department in connection with additional operational issues identified at the facility.
The convictions and fines imposed on Shannonside Foods Ltd and its employees underscores the critical importance of maintaining integrity within the food production sector. The case serves as a stark reminder of the necessity for rigorous regulatory oversight and enforcement to safeguard animal welfare, ensure food safety, and preserve public confidence in the integrity of the food supply chain.
This case reflects the ongoing efforts to maintain transparency, traceability, and ethical practices in food production, both in Ireland and across the European Union. The outcome also reinforces the vital role of regulatory frameworks in protecting consumers and upholding high standards in the food industry.
Written by: Aisling Ray, JP McDowell and Mark Cusack