A bill was presented to the Chamber, first signed by Eleonora Evi of the Democratic Party, co-signed by deputies Patrizia Prestipino and Debora Serracchiani, which aims to ban the slaughter of equids in Italy and to recognize horses and donkeys as pets, like dogs and cats. The text provides new protections for these animals and tools to monitor their presence in the area through collaboration with the local health authorities. Another central objective is the reconversion of the farms that currently exploit equids for food purposes.
The proposal also includes a ban on the use of PMSG, a hormone obtained in so-called “blood farms”, where thousands of mares are subjected to repeated sampling to increase the productivity of intensive farms. The intention is to accompany companies towards plant-based, sustainable and animal-friendly production.
An investigation that shows a reality that is difficult to ignore
During the conference, the results of a new survey conducted by Animal Equality Italia between 2024 and 2025 in an equine slaughterhouse in Emilia Romagna were presented. The images collected show horses subjected to mistreatment, such as repeated and ineffective stunning attempts, which increase already extreme suffering. Episodes that occur despite the presence of controls and EFSA’s scientific recommendations on the protection of equids.
According to Animal Equality, equids live in a real legal limbo: there are regulations on animal welfare, but in practice they leave wide margins for systematic violations. For this reason, the association asks that all equids be recognized as pets and that their slaughter be abolished definitively.
Horse meat consumption continues to decline
Added to this is the fact that Ipsos 2025 data shows a constant decline in the consumption of horse meat: among those who eat meat, only 17% declare they consume it at least once a month. And among those who do not consume it, 83% indicate reasons such as the absence of habit and empathy towards an animal increasingly perceived as a companion, not as a source of food. With the proposal now under political consideration, the next step will be to understand whether Italy is ready to turn the page and truly stop horse slaughter.
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