You see why I like my pork?
There is no way or no where in a million years that anybody could give me horse meat, no matter in what shape or form, and convince me that it is pork. But all across Europe today, and don’t be surprised if the panic spreads to North America soon, millions are very concerned that the beef products they are being sold and are eating are partly or entirely horse meat.
It all started a few weeks ago when gourmet salami from France and Belgium was found to contain horse meat, followed by ten million beef burgers being recalled for the same reason. Yet, in Barbados I am yet to hear or see anybody expressing any views, negative or positive, about this matter.
I am wondering if it has to do with the fact that for as long as I can remember, it has been universally rumoured all across Barbados that the tonnes of tinned corned beef that was imported from a certain South American country and consumed at every level from rum shop to mansion, was actually horse meat and not beef.
Strangely enough, despite the widespread rumour and a general conviction that it contained more fact than fiction, I know of no Bajan who ever refused to eat corned beef, of no government minister, ministry or health official who ever called for a test to determine if it was true or false, and of no concerned citizens who ever protested against the importation and consumption.
There were also the persisting reports about racehorses that had to be “put away” after breaking a leg/foot. The word was that after the horse was put down (killed) to take it out of its misery, its carcass was cut up and parcelled out among the owners, handlers and others who considered the meat a delicacy.
Any doubts that some Bajans did indeed treasure racehorse meat were put to rest one Saturday afternoon at the Garrison Savannah when a favourite of the day broke a leg and had to be put down on the track. In a matter of minutes, there were scores of races fans, from spectators to butchers, with knives, cutlasses and any other implements in hand that could cut the meat.
That night the favourite spot for many from every corner of the island was a nearby shop with a reputation for the tastiest pork cutters in town, but this time offering racehorse meat cutters instead. Don’t ask me how I know but those cutters were very delicious.
It may seem strange but horse meat is sold and eaten with relish in many countries across the world. China is said to be the biggest consumer with Kazakhstan the second biggest. Not only is eating horse meat common in Asia and parts of Europe, but some countries consider the meat a delicacy in the same vein as venison and veal.
But whether you prefer beef, pork, chicken, lamb, goat or horse meat, you all have to remember that it’s your civic duty to go out and vote come Thursday. Be at the polling stations early and don’t delay in casting your vote for the candidate and party of your choice.
And if you want to do any betting, you can do so on the fact that I will be eating pork today.
• Al Gilkes heads a public relations firm.