Abattoir goes ahead with plan

An abattoir in Herefordshire is planning to slaughter horses for human consumption after staff at first refused to carry out the work.

Williams of Weobley, the only abattoir in the county, was to start slaughtering wild ponies next week but some staff made it clear they were not prepared to do the work.

Around 30 people are employed by the company and some employees feared they would be targeted by animal rights activists.

The owner, David Williams, told staff if they did not do the work, he would find other workers outside of the company who would.

'Quite lucrative'

"I said to the men you are worrying about nothing.

"Most of them are prepared to work now and it will be quite lucrative for them."

He added that a company buying the meat for slaughter, had already carried out alterations to the abattoir which are required to obtain a licence, and so he has to provide the work.

"I am only acting as an agent to turn the animals into food", he said.

The meat is destined for France and work is due to start next month.