I don't know how much of the current "horsemeat-in-the-burgers" story you have seen over in the US but here's my take on it.


So there's horsemeat in the burgers, the lasagne and the stew,
But if you're squeamish about horses then why not about cows too?
And what about those lambs that were frolicsome and cute?
Do you like them with mint sauce - are you really such a brute?
You should go to Scandinavea and buy Rudolph in a tin,
Or served up with potatoes - would you eat him with a grin?
Or you can come to China and I'll take you for a meal
Would you care for dog or donkey? Or does a snake appeal?
There are scorpions on sticks, some of them still squirming
You can see they're nice and fresh as their movement is confirming.
No use in this hypocracy - you'll eat meat or you won't.
Personally I do but it's OK if you don't,
But try to use your reason what difference does it make
If you're really eating horse when you thought it was beef steak?

Would I eat horsemeat? Neigh.

I hear in Oz the big kangaroos are very tasty, but some folks throw a fuss if they're eaten by humans. I had canned kangaroo many years ago, and it seemed as good as anything else. I'm disinclined to eat bear, however; I've done it, and it's gosh-awful tallowy.

Ah, well, to each his/her/its/their own.

Kangaroo is excellent for sandwiches. You can stuff all kinds of goodies in the pocket.

I had always thought there was something wrong with horse meat, but in reading Wikipedia it's just a taboo meat because horses are pets. Indeed, it is high in protein low in fat.

Nice poem, Bob!

As Rory Calhoun said (in "Motel Hell"), "Meat's meat and man's gotta eat."

I've always eschewwed eating any animal you can put a saddle on.

quote:

Originally posted by Proofreader:
I've always eschewwed eating any animal you can put a saddle on.

Don't get down to the chicken racing much, then?

(And before you ask the jockeys are hamsters.)

(And before anyone asks the other question, yes, I just made that up. Would be an awesome new sport though.)

It is my understanding that at one time horse meat was common in much of Europe, and that privation led to many "haut cuisine" dishes. Why else eat frogs and snails???

Wikipedia has quite a long article on worldwide consumption of horse meat.

One of the biggest problems with horsemeat is that there are no safety requirements because it is considered in many countries to be taboo.

Given that the suppliers don't even care to adhere to the requirement that beef comes from a cow, how much attention do you think they are likely to pay to other safety requirements?

Horse meat is likely safer than beef when it comes to disease since few horses are raised in filthy industrial agriculture settings.

Well, I still think there needs to be health regulations. However, you very well may be right, Geoff.

quote:

Originally posted by Kalleh:
Well, I still think there needs to be health regulations. However, you very well may be right, Geoff.

Of course. But the regulations in place now say (among many other things) that beef must come from a cow. If it doesn't then it can't be sold as beef. My point is that anyone willing to ignore something that fundamental isn't going to let a few health regulations put him off.
And the problem seems to be suffiviently widespread that it calls into question whether there are ANY honest suppliers out there at all.

More in the NYT today about horsemeat. The results of the testing seems to indicate things haven't gotten too far out of hand (hoof?) I was interested to see that the only actual health problem foreseen was the possibility of an equine painkiller getting into the food chain (which apparently has not happened).

But you really don't know. That's what would scare me.