The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has introduced a new system of positive release for horses slaughtered in the country.
The new system requires the horse carcasses to test negative in a phenylbutazone (bute) test before they are allowed to enter the food chain. However, if the horse tests positive for bute it will be disposed as animal by-product.
The system, which has been developed by the FSA, enables the manufacturers to obtain results in about 48 hours from the time when test is carried out. The carcass will be stored by the responsible food business, pending the result.
In the UK, currently, any horse being sold for its meat must be slaughtered in one of five FSA approved slaughterhouses.
Since 30 January, FSA has been testing for bute in horses slaughtered in the UK that are meant for human consumption. Horses that have been treated with bute are not allowed to enter the food chain.
