Undercover footage, aired on television and the internet and appearing to show abuse and neglect of horses at an abattoir in Cheshire has led to an investigation by the Food Standards Agency and two slaughtermen having their licences withdrawn. The video was shot by the Hillside Animal Sanctuary in Norwich, which has a record of campaigning against ill-treatment of farm animals.

The Food Standards Agency identified the most serious concerns in the footage as:
• Several occasions of more than one horse in the stun box at the same time
• Excessive use of a stick on a horse
• Hitting a horse with a rope

Under the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995, it is against the law to slaughter horses within sight of one another.

Sky News, which broke the story, quoted an un-named Hillside investigator as saying: "What we've found has shocked us deeply; animals left with horrendous injuries and horses shot on top of each other.

"In all the years I've been doing this work, without doubt it's the most harrowing experience I've come across. All the horses in there had their heads hung down."

In a statement the Food Standards Agency said: "The FSA believes it is important that action is taken against people who commit animal welfare offences, so after viewing the film, the Agency immediately withdrew the licences of the slaughtermen featured abusing animals in the footage. This means they cannot continue to slaughter animals.

"The FSA is also reviewing the footage and carrying out further investigations with a view to a potential prosecution."

It head of approvals and veterinary advice, Craig Kirby, commented: "I was shocked by the footage and that is why we took immediate action to make sure the individuals involved could not continue to slaughter animals. The FSA takes animal welfare at slaughter very seriously, and we will always investigate and take action when we see breaches of the legislation."

The Red Lion Abattoir told Sky the instances were of an isolated nature and action had been taken against the individuals concerned.

In a statement, a spokesman said: "I agree horses should individually enter the stunning area and most certainly not three at a time. However, small horses and ponies having spent years together as companions are difficult to separate. Horse lovers would understand that.

"My opinion and that of other veterinarians is it is better to keep those types together to reduce the stress, providing swift dispatch is achieved."