Europe is the heart of gastronomy and fine dining no more, as we’ve been unceremoniously thrown off of our moral high-horse. It’s been an unbridled disaster, as day after day the horsemeat story seems to gain speed and just run and run.
So what is this problem that we’ve been saddled with, I hear you ask? It turns out that some people in the meat supply chain have been horsing around and decided to introduce horse meat as part of Europe’s stable diet. Unsurprisingly, this did stirrup some feelings of disgust among many, and everyone has been jockeying for a position to have their voices herd in the stampede of protests.
But why the long face? The mane issue here of course is the shock of it all, as we all feel ungraciously thrown head over heels and many have reported suffering terrible night mares. But hay, no one has been hurt, the human race remains in a stable condition. We don’t really see where the beef really is.
It remanes to be seen how much more fat there is left in the story. Some say that to continue would just be flogging a dead horse and that the best bet would be to rein in the commentary. If you’ve heard enough, don’t worry; the drama may not go on furlong after all. Just let the horse meat story run its course.
EU agriculture ministers are set to discuss the epic foal that is the horsemeat scandal. It’s horses for courses as Irish Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has been selected to chair the Brussels talks. Understandably, he is chomping at the bit to get discussions off to a flyer. There will be a number of competing interests in the arena with reportedly up to 16 countries being affected but many hands make light work. With Euroscepticism rife, let’s hope we don’t fall at the first fence but make it to the finish line.
For many this is the last straw. How can we restore consumer confidence in meat products? That is the equestrian on everybody’s lips. Have your hay below.
Róisín Carlhorse and Jockey Tabner
