NEAR NEUDORF, SASK. -- At the end of a remote gravel road in southern Saskatchewan's Qu'Appelle Valley is the next target in a growing movement to rid North America of its horse slaughterhouses.
Horse advocates in both Canada and the United States are outraged that this vast green valley, lush and rolling, is now home to this country's newest federally licensed horse abattoir: Natural Valley Farms Inc.
They are also concerned that even more Canadian companies may start slaughtering and processing horses in a bid to satisfy hungry overseas markets that crave horsemeat, a pricey delicacy in many countries, since the industry is headed for extinction in the United States.
"This is all happening under the radar. Ask most people, and they have no idea that horses are even slaughtered in Canada for meat," said Shelley Grainger, director of the Canadian Horse Defense Coalition's eastern region.
I suppose I should be more upset over this. However, a long time ago when I was in France I ate horse meat steak on a number of occasions and loved it. Its very lean and of course the French do it up ultra rare. Lip-smackingly good stuff.
Also, when I was a child my mom worked at an experimental farm outside of Base Borden. One day as I was feeding mints to one of their horses, it bit me and I fell into a ditch filled with horse-shit wearing my best new shoes. So I have issues.
PS. Speaking of French Cuisine, I saw Ratatouille yesterday and give it two thumbs up.
Burgers Anyone?
