Horsemeat scandal gives a gee-up to sales

The rumpus in Europe over horsemeat sold as beef is bringing a bonanza for France’s 700 surviving horse butchers, who are suddenly piquing consumer curiosity after years of decline.

Non-stop media coverage has made eating horses a hot topic round office water coolers, boosting sales by up to 15%, the head of France’s horse butchers’ trade group said.

“It’s true, there is a pick-up in trade, we worked a bit more last week because our clients speak more freely about horsemeat now,” said Eric Vigoureux of Interbev Equins.