Animal welfare groups demand cancellation of mare blood farming permit

Animal welfare groups in Iceland are challenging a decision by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) to grant a permit for blood farming from pregnant mares. The Icelandic Animal Protection Association, along with several international organizations, has filed a complaint with the Ministry of Industries and Innovation, demanding the permit be revoked.

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The permit allows blood collection from up to 4,900 pregnant mares annually for the purpose of producing PMSG/eCG hormone for use in animal fertility drugs, mainly for gilts in factory farming. The hormone has negative effects on the animals' welfare, as its use can lead to larger and weaker piglet litters, increasing the risk of piglet mortality.

The permit allows for the collection of blood from up to 4,900 pregnant mares annually. This blood is used to produce the hormone PMSG/eCG, primarily for use in fertility drugs for gilts in factory farming. Animal welfare advocates argue that this hormone negatively impacts the animals' well-being, potentially leading to larger, weaker litters and increasing piglet mortality.

Furthermore, the organizations contend that the blood collection process itself goes beyond international standards and compromises the health and welfare of the mares. They highlight that the mares, often semi-wild and not fully domesticated, are subjected to stressful and unsuitable handling during blood draws, sometimes involving force.

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Blood collection in blood farming goes far beyond international standards and compromises the health and welfare of the mares. Also, the treatment of mares during blood collection, which are generally little tamed, is entirely unacceptable. It is not possible to draw blood from semi-wild horses without causing them significant stress and fear or without resorting to coercion.

Adding to their concerns, the groups point out that the Advisory Board on Animal Welfare had issued a negative opinion on the permit application in February. Despite this, MAST granted a conditional two-year permit in May. The organizations also find it perplexing that the permit was issued while the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is still conducting an ongoing risk assessment on the welfare of blood-farming mares.

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The Advisory Board on Animal Welfare gave a negative opinion on the permit application for blood farming in February. Despite this, MAST went against the board's opinion and granted the activity a conditional two-year permit in May. It is also surprising that a permit was granted while the ongoing risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) regarding the welfare of blood mares is still unfinished.