Andrew Nelis racing

  Irish Government officials have denied they were aware "thousands" of ex-racehorses, previously trained in Ireland, were reportedly being sent for slaughter at British abattoirs. A BBC Panorama programme on Monday claimed most of the 4,000 racehorses killed in British slaughter plants had been transported from Ireland, with some travelling more than 350 miles by road with critical injuries. It is illegal under Irish and European law to transport a horse in a way that is likely to "cause it injury or undue suffering". Covert recording also appeared to show serious breaches of regulations for slaughter plants.  The Food Standards Agency, which regulates abattoirs, has said "upholding animal welfare and the safety and authenticity of the food we eat is a top priority for government" and have promised to take action against any evidence of mistreatment of animals. A number of Irish government officials appeared before the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food...