The ACT Greens have asked the government to investigate the enforcement and tracking of retired racehorses in Canberra after an ABC report revealed "deeply disturbing" details last week.
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ACT Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay and minister Chris Steel have written to Canberra racing seeking urgent assurance of animal welfare standards.
The issue was raised in question time at the Legislative Assembly on Thursday in the wake of an investigation revealed the widespread slaughter of horses for pet and human consumption.
Horses from Canberra and the surrounding region were mentioned during the 7.30 program, which showed images that shocked the racing industry.
The ACT government banned greyhound racing in Canberra two years ago despite no evidence of animal cruelty in the capital.
Canberra Racing contributes one per cent of prize money towards a Racing NSW retirement scheme to re-home horses and the actions of a few were condemned by chief executive Andrew Clark.
Greens animal welfare spokesperson Caroline Le Couteur said: "The revelations in relation to the horse racing industry from the recent [7.30] program were deeply disturbing.
"The ACT Greens are proud to be at the forefront of animal rights reforms in the ACT over many decades.
"Canberrans expect that the horse racing industry here in Canberra upholds the highest possible animal welfare standards.
"Clearly [7.30 showed us] the self-regulation system for ex-racehorse welfare has failed in this case, and so we need to know that the problems in enforcement and tracking mechanisms are being fixed.
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"That's why today I asked the government about these very standards. In light of the issues and problems that were revealed recently, we're questioning the government to find out more information about the situation in the ACT."
Canberra Racing and Racing NSW follow the same rule about retired racehorses, which state: "the horse is not to be directly or indirectly sent to an abattoir, knackery or similarly disposed of".
The racing industry says just 0.4 per cent of retired horses end up at an abattoir or knackery per year.
"I was appalled to see the footage of horses at the abattoir facility in Queensland," Steel said during question time.
"Since then, Gordon Ramsay and myself have written to the president of the Canberra Racing Club to seek assurances that Canberra race horses were not involved in that process.
"I have also separately written to the Animal Welfare Advisory Council, asking them to take another look at our code of practice in regards to dealing with racehorses so it can be reviewed."
Asked if it was possible to ensure existing welfare standards be enforced, Steel said: We're one of the only jurisdictions with a racing club which has the specific rule that prohibits horses form being sent to an abattoir or knackery when they retire.
"There are rules in place and we're seeking assurances appropriate processes are being followed." Canberra Racing boss Clarke also said the club was also investigating ways to increase and improve retirement audits.