Two court cases involving contaminated horse feed have recently been settled in the High Court.
The first case involved Glanbia, a feed supplier, and EDF Man Liquid Products Ireland Ltd. Glanbia claimed to have lost €9 million due to contaminated molasses supplied by EDF Man Liquid Products Ireland Ltd, which contained the banned substance Zilpaterol. The substance was found in horses tested by France Galop, leading to a loss of reputation and financial loss for Glanbia.
The second case involved Glanbia being sued by horse trainers, including Aidan O’Brien, for €30 million over contaminated Gain feed.
These court cases highlight the importance of ensuring the safety and quality of horse feed, as contaminated feed can have disastrous consequences for the horses and those involved in the equine industry. The use of banned substances in horse feed is strictly prohibited, as it poses a risk to the health and welfare of the animals and can lead to serious consequences for the individuals and companies involved.
The settlements of these court cases have not been disclosed, but they serve as a reminder of the potential legal and financial consequences of failing to adhere to strict industry standards and regulations.
Glanbia’s Claims
Glanbia claimed a loss of €9 million due to contaminated molasses supplied by EDF Man Liquid Products Ireland Ltd, which was found to contain the banned substance Zilpaterol.
The contaminated feed resulted in horses tested by France Galop showing traces of the substance.
Glanbia sued EDF Man for the contaminated feed and sought compensation for their financial losses.
The case was settled on agreed terms, the details of which were not disclosed to the public.
Glanbia is a leading agribusiness company based in Kilkenny that specializes in the production and distribution of animal feed.
The company’s claim for compensation highlights the significant financial impact of contaminated feed on the equine industry.
The settlement of this case underscores the importance of ensuring the safety and quality of animal feed and the need for industry-wide compliance with regulations to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Plaintiffs’ Claims
The plaintiffs, which include horse trainer Aidan O’Brien and corporate entities with shared ownership in racehorses, claimed losses resulting from the withdrawal of horses from the Longchamp Paris racing festival in October 2020.
The plaintiffs sued Glanbia for €30 million over contaminated Gain feed, alleging that the contaminated feed caused a loss in breeding value from Wembley, which resulted in the €30 million loss in value.
Glanbia denied responsibility and sought indemnity from EDF Man Liquid Products Ireland Ltd, the supplier of the contaminated molasses.
The case was settled on confidential terms, and an adjournment was sought to strike out the cases.
The resolution of the case means that the plaintiffs will receive a settlement amount to cover their losses, and the matter will not be pursued further in court.
Settlement and Outcome
Following the resolution of the two High Court proceedings related to the subject of contaminated horse feed, the plaintiffs will receive a confidential settlement amount to cover their losses. The terms of the settlements were not disclosed, but both cases were settled on agreed terms.
The plaintiffs, including corporate entities with shared ownership in racehorses, claimed to have suffered losses due to contaminated feed supplied by Glanbia. The loss of breeding value from Wembley resulted in a €30 million loss in value for the plaintiffs.
Glanbia denied responsibility and sought indemnity from EDF Man Liquid Products Ireland Ltd. The defendant argued for arbitration instead of court proceedings. However, both cases were resolved without going to trial, and the parties reached a confidential settlement.
The judge congratulated the parties on the resolution of the cases and granted an adjournment for a month to strike out the cases. The source of contamination was claimed to be EDF Man Liquid Products Ireland Ltd, and the contaminated feed ingredient was identified as molasses.
