World Horse Welfare ‘appalled’ at extended equine journey limits
World Horse Welfare says a longer journey limit would cause 'extraordinary - and entirely needless - suffering'.
World Horse Welfare has described its ‘dismay’ as European Union (EU) member states consider increasing the maximum journey times for horses transported across Europe for slaughter to 31 hours.
The proposals could mean that that horses travelling for longer than 21 hours will rest at a control post for 24 hours. They can then continue their journey to reach a maximum total of 31 hours.
World Horse Welfare says these proposals have come in contrast with views from the public and from scientists, and despite findings of ‘significant’ gaps in traceability of horses and horse meat.
A recent YouGov poll, commissioned by World Horse Welfare, found that the majority of citizens across five major EU countries supported stricter protections for horses during transport and backed a nine-hour limit on journeys to slaughter. This was an average of 55 per cent across the five nations.
Only 16 per cent of those surveyed were against a nine-hour maximum journey time.
In 2025, 12,000 horses were transported a long distance across Europe for slaughter. Many of these horses are believed to have passed suitable licenced slaughterhouses along the way.
World Horse Welfare says that a nine-hour limit would encourage the use of suitable slaughterhouses which are closer to the point of origin, reducing unnecessary journeys.
Roly Owers, chief executive, said: “We urge MEPs to take heed of published scientific opinion, along with EU citizens’ views, and take action to ensure that this once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve equine welfare is not squandered.
“Introducing a maximum journey limit of nine hours for horses going to slaughter would benefit thousands of horses each year, while increasing the journey limit would create extraordinary – and entirely needless – suffering.
“The Council text containing the proposed new limit isn’t yet finalised so we’re calling on Member States to change this before it’s too late.”
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