German Court Slams Meat Industry for Silencing Animal Cruelty Exposé
A German court has ruled against a meat industry group after it tried to block a video exposing animal cruelty in horse slaughterhouses. The footage, released by the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF), showed emaciated and injured horses being mistreated. The industry’s legal action was dismissed as an abuse of the legal system, with the federation ordered to pay €12,500 in compensation.
The Animal Welfare Foundation published a video revealing severe mistreatment in South American horse slaughterhouses. It included images of starving horses, untreated injuries, and workers beating and kicking animals. The footage also exposed poor conditions in holding facilities linked to the meat supply chain.
In response, Germany’s meat industry association, FEBEV, filed a lawsuit to prevent the video’s distribution. They were joined by Fleischwirtschaft Rheinland-Pfalz e.V., another industry group, in hiring a lawyer to challenge the AWF. The legal action was coordinated with Skin Packing, a Swiss meat importer, suggesting a broader strategy to silence critics. The court rejected the industry’s claims entirely. Judges ruled that the lawsuit was a clear misuse of legal proceedings, designed to intimidate rather than address genuine concerns. As a result, FEBEV was ordered to cover €12,500 in procedural costs. Animal welfare groups have since urged global meat importers to stop sourcing horse meat from regions where such cruelty occurs. The ruling has reinforced calls for stricter oversight in the industry.
The court’s decision confirms the video’s legitimacy and exposes the industry’s attempt to suppress evidence of animal suffering. With FEBEV now required to pay compensation, the case sets a precedent against legal intimidation in animal welfare disputes. Meanwhile, pressure grows on importers to cut ties with suppliers linked to abusive practices.
