Many people associate Iceland with volcanoes, northern lights, rugged landscapes, and a distinctive culture. Yet there is a troubling reality that remains largely hidden: blood farms. These facilities involve mares kept in cramped spaces where they endure repeated beating as part of a cruel routine to collect blood. The resulting product is used to create a drug component that influences reproductive cycles in other livestock, a practice that raises serious animal-welfare concerns.
The footage released by several animal-protection groups exposes and questions how these farms operate. It shows blood farms still legal in Iceland and regulated, yet arguments continue about whether those regulations genuinely protect animal welfare or merely acknowledge the farms on paper.
Earlier this year, a coalition of animal-welfare organizations released a video because the scenes present the harsh reality: mares confined to small enclosures, sometimes unable to move, subjected to blows with logs or sticks during moments of distress. The footage highlights a system where pregnant mares are tapped for blood on a weekly basis, sometimes for an extended period, in order to extract hormones used in livestock management. The claim is that this hormone, known for stimulating heat in sows and young sheep, can boost reproduction and, by extension, meat production in commercial farming.
The production process described involves drawing several liters of blood periodically from each mare, with the cycle continuing for a set number of weeks. Observers note that the practice appears to be increasing in visibility as market prices for young animals rise, potentially fueling greater demand for each animal’s productive contribution.
Investigations prompted responses from Iceland’s health-control authorities, who acknowledged that certain procedures may clash with existing regulations and could threaten animal welfare. As a result, an official inquiry was announced to review those practices and the regulations that govern them within the country.
More than 100 Farms, Thousands of Horses
The concern extends beyond a single site. Framed by ongoing discussions, the Franz Weber Foundation has urged parliamentary groups in Iceland to back measures aimed at ending the brutal practice of mare blood farming. In a landscape where more than a hundred facilities operate with thousands of horses, the topic has become a focal point for national and European-wide animal-welfare discourse. The foundation emphasizes that the management of these operations clashes with European welfare standards and regrets that the European Union has not blocked products linked to this form of animal cruelty on Community soil.
Observers note that Iceland’s trade relationships within the European Economic Area require adherence to basic health, sanitation, and welfare standards for animals. The broader call is for consistent, enforceable protections that prevent harm while balancing economic interests in livestock markets.
Hormones and Meat Production
Central to the debate is the use of hormone products synthesized to boost fertility in female livestock. When these products are employed, they enable more offspring to reach market readiness, potentially increasing meat production and profits for farmers and breeders. Proponents argue that such products support the efficiency and scale needed in modern agriculture, while critics point to animal-sentience concerns and the potential for suffering in intensive farming systems.
Images from mare farms have drawn attention from breeders across regions, including Spanish communities like Aragon, who have urged lawmakers not to outlaw the practice, arguing it is economically valuable for their constituency. Critics counter that profit-driven breeding pressures can eclipse animal welfare and public trust. The debate remains charged with competing perspectives about the balance between agricultural productivity and humane treatment of animals.
Given the ongoing controversy surrounding mare farms in Iceland, advocacy groups stress the importance of transparent oversight and stronger protections. They urge policymakers to consider prohibitions or stronger enforcement measures that would reduce harm and align national practices with broader European welfare expectations. The conversation continues as stakeholders weigh economic implications against ethical responsibilities toward animals.
The environmental and welfare community notes that any policy changes should be informed by robust, independent assessments of the impact on animals, farmers, and international trade. The discussion reflects a broader push for responsible stewardship of livestock industries within Iceland and across connected markets.
Additional context from environmental groups remains critical in shaping the policy conversation. Stakeholders emphasize that welfare standards have wide-reaching implications, including the health and safety of animals, public perception, and the integrity of trade relationships that tie Iceland to European markets. The dialogue continues as more information becomes available from official inquiries and civil-society voices alike.
Researchers and advocates caution that the public deserves clear, accurate information about current practices. Assurance about welfare protections, transparency in enforcement, and humane alternatives to blood extraction are key themes in the ongoing discussion. As investigations proceed, observers stress the need for governance that reflects contemporary ethical expectations and scientific understanding of animal well-being.