Defra announce bute test results
The latest phenylbutazone (bute) test results have been announced by Defra. Minister David Heath has confirmed the presence of the painkiller in 8 of the 206 samples tested.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) checked the carcasses of 206 horses that were slaughtered in the UK between 30 January and 7 February 2013. Of the 8 that tested positive for bute, the Agency says 6 were sent to France and may have entered the food chain. Government chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies has stated that the horse meat containing bute poses very little risk to human health.
In a joint statement, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) noted: "The presence of phenylbutazone (or bute) in horses intended for the food chain will be of concern to consumers.
"We are grateful to the Chief Medical Officer for clarifying the very low level of risk that this presents to human health and we will work with the FSA and Defra in any way we can to assist their investigations into these incidents."
The statement continued to speak of the importance of phenylbutazone in equine welfare, as it is "unique" in providing "affordable, long-term pain relief for horses." Commenting on the Horse Passport Regulations, the BVA and BEVA expressed their intentions to continue a dialogue with Defra and others to improve the system.
"We fully support the concept of the Horse Passport Regulations but have argued for some time that there are problems with the system in terms of the number of Passport Issuing Authorities and the vulnerability of the system to fraud."
The FSA introduced 100 per cent testing of horse carcasses on 30 January. Horses testing positive for bute will not be permitted to leave the slaughterhouse and enter the food chain. The agency says recent test results are in line with extra surveillance carried out last year, which found bute in 6 per cent of horses slaughtered.
BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.
