Search the internet for news at the moment and it is awash with themes that are a constant presence here at meatismurder:contemptable celebrity chefs, a public confused with speciesism, and the horse meat trade. Yes, despite the recent news about the decline of horse meat industry in the US (with the sadly unfortunate animal welfare consequences of the ineterim period) it appears that a push is being made to sell the stuff to the British public. The public are generally disgusted by horse meat but perhaps worryingly they will also be a little bit thrilled - screw convention I’m eating a horse. I’m like a pirate, I’m so daring I might make a little girl cry. This danger of a foothold to a new market is why campaigns like that by PETA (below) need to be mounted. No one is saying that eating cows and baby sheep is ok and that horses hold some special reserved place because they have been protagonists in novels, but a stand needs to be taken before individuals of another species end up as regular Friday night curry filling and all the horror it takes to turn their limbs and asses into slices and cubes.  [news article source]

The night Janet Street-Porter ate horse meat

Last updated at 10:53am on 16th May 2007 Journalist and broadcaster Janet Street-Porter lined up for a course of horse - well, at least a few mouthfuls - during a controversial episode of Gordon Ramsay’s Channel 4 programme The F-Word.

Ms Street-Porter, who cooked the meat and tasted it, was also seen at Cheltenham during Gold Cup week offering passers-by samples and asking for their opinions about such a dish.

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Janet Street-Porter: so hungry, she ate horse

The journalist also offered the meat to the public during one segment of the programme

She later engaged in a studio exchange with the chef, who remarked that horse meat tastes “quite gamey” and is packed with protein.

The program received a swift backlash from animal activists: demonstrators dressed as horses from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Europe dumped a tonne of horse manure on the pavement outside Ramsay at Claridge’s in central London.

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Protestors dump their load of manure outside Claridges

Anita Singh, of PETA Europe, accused the chef of mounting a ratings-grabbing stunt.

She said: “Ramsay has really landed himself in deep dung with his latest ratings gimmick.

“Will it be a family dog next? Chickens, pigs, cows and horses all suffer fear and discomfort when they are robbed of their lives for nothing more than a fleeting taste or a TV rating.”

Gordon Ramsay again finds himself knee deep in controversy