Stop horse meat? The proposed law divides politics and public opinion between animal protection, economy and tradition
The horsemeat bill is bound to spark discussion. And the discussions have already begun. The House Agriculture Committee has put it under scrutiny a bill that bans the slaughter of horse meat in Italy. A proposal that immediately found supporters in the Green and Left Alliance, the 5 Star Movement and Noi Moderati. It is the first time that parliament has concretely addressed a review of this type. But doubts about its approval remain strong: Italy is among the main consumers of horse meat in the world and a similar measure would have a significant economic impact on the livestock sector.
The horse meat bill
The proposed law recognizes horses and other equines as petsprohibiting slaughter both for individuals raised in Italy and for those imported from abroad. The system would be based on registration with labels and microchips, to reduce the risk of clandestine slaughter and illicit imports. Those who violate the ban are subject to fines of up to 100 thousand euros and imprisonment of up to six years.
Consumption numbers in Italy
Italy is considered the home of the Mediterranean diet, of course, but there is no doubt that it is also a great “carnivore”. Suffice it to say that the per capita consumption of meat is around 70 kilograms per year, to which around 30 kilograms of fish are added. The most consumed meats are pork, followed by poultry and beef. A recent Ipsos investigation found that 17 percent of meat consumers say they also eat horse meat at least once a month. Consumption is not evenly distributed: the areas where horse meat is eaten the most are Lombardy, Puglia, Emilia-Romagna, Campania, Lazio and Sicily.
In 2025, 8 thousand horses from abroad were slaughtered, especially from Poland, France and Slovenia, and around 12,500 from Italian farms. Seven died during transport, which is less tolerated by these animals compared to others for slaughter such as cattle and pigs.
The Italian tradition of horsemeat
The consumption of horse meat is closely linked to regional cuisine. In Puglia, brasciola and horse meatballs are cooked. In Sicily, especially in Catania (home of horse meat), grilled meat, sausages and meatballs are popular. In Emilia-Romagna, in the Parma area, horse pesto is made, a minced raw meat. In Veneto the frays. And then there are the stews popular in various regions, such as the pastissada de caval in Verona, flavored with Valpolicella or Amarone.
But let’s take a trip back in time. In Roman times, horse meat was not considered valuable, but was consumed in the absence of anything else. At the beginning of the eighth century Pope Gregory III banned its consumptionwidespread in various Germanic populations and linked to their pagan rites. Then, in the 19th century, horsemeat came back into fashion in many European nations, to meet the dietary needs of the growing population. In relatively recent times, at the end of the century, in Italy the horse was officially included in the list of animals for slaughter.
The possible economic and cultural implications
However, banning slaughter would require intervening in a sector that employs thousands of people. The proposal would provide for a transition path with 18 million euros for the first three years to finance the conversion of farms into hippotherapy centers or the entrusting of horses to authorized structures.
The proposed ban effectively protects horses, but not other slaughtered animals, perpetuating a form of speciesism. According to critics, elevating the horse to affectionate status means rewarding beauty and historical usefulness to the detriment of other species. Those who support the ban instead remember that every initiative to reduce animal suffering represents progress, capable of promoting cultural changes and different sensitivities within the population.
