House proposal to ban horse slaughter: severe punishments and mandatory monitoring
The process for the recognition of the legal status of affectionate animals is back on track after attempts in previous legislatures. Slaughter and consumption down in Italia
Imprisonment of three months to three years and a fine of between EUR 30,000 and EUR 100,000 for anyone who breeds equidae for slaughter, with a one-third increase in the penalty if the meat is placed on the market.
The battle that some parliamentarians (and animal welfare associations) are waging for the recognition of the legal status of 'pet animal' to recognise horses and ponies, but also mules, donkeys and hinnies, as 'Non DPA - not intended for food production'. The two PDLs - signed by Susanna Cherchi (M5S) and Luana Zanella (Avs) - have just been hinged in the Agriculture Commission in Montecitorio (a similar measure signed by Michela Brambilla, Noi-Moderati, has also been included in the package).
This is the first time, after numerous attempts over four legislatures, that the examination process has been set in motion, a sign - according to Matteo Cupi, executive director of Animal Equality Italia, which has been engaged in this battle for years - "of a relevant and long-awaited political step". "Parliament," Cupi continues, "has decided to tackle a cruel and opaque practice that causes serious suffering to animals and also raises serious questions in terms of public health protection.
Within two months from the date of entry into force of the law, the squeeze envisages the obligation to register in the Register of Registry - under penalty of a fine ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 euro - all equids, which will be identified and monitored by inoculation with a transponder. Each animal entered in the register will be declared 'Non Dpa'.
The annexes to the pdl under discussion, updated to 20 January 2026, show a decreasing trend in the number of equine slaughterings in Italia from 2012 to 2025. On 1 January 2012, there were 2,952 from foreign countries and 1,657 from Italia, for a total of 4,609. As of 1 January 2019, there were 1,304 animals from abroad and 2,332 from Italia, for a total of 3,636. As of 1 December 2025 there were 567 from foreign countries and 1,445 from Italia, for a total of 2,012 animals. The regions with the highest number of slaughtered animals are Apulia (34.32%) followed by Emilia-Romagna (20.30%) and Veneto (13.67%).
