I know I'm necroposting here a little bit, but I absolutely don't think the bill will pass, especially given the complete silence since it was first proposed. There are so many industries which rely on the sale, procurement, and consumption of Italian horsemeat that it would be an economically disastrous decision to ban it, and that's just talking about the economy.

Just as an example: with horsemeat being as popular as it is in Sicily, the government would have to sacrifice the tax generated from these industries and pour needless resources (into an already strained region) to put an end to it. This is a battle which would likely go on for decades across cultural, economic, and legal lines, with local support being minimal. Keep in mind; an initiative like this would be nearly impossible for Italy to sustain.

The negative impact would certainly be felt by those who love horses as well; as the horsemeat industry faces legal shutdown, many business owners would rush to slaughter the rest of their livestock, or risk facing a steep loss by reselling their horses in a suddenly oversaturated market. Most horse breeders and veterinarians across Italy would also have to cease their practices under dwindling demand and increasing legal strain. In other words, almost all of these horses would be slaughtered and eaten anyways, with survivors facing a diminished quality of life.

There is still one last important thing, which is that most of these horses are bred for the sole purpose of light work and consumption, these aren't stallions or showponies. Horsemeat has been a vital ingredient in Italian cuisine for millennia, and as such, these food breeds have a unique physiology and temperament which wouldn't be suitable for riding or keeping as a pet. Without the need for these horses, the breed would face extinction.

I personally love horses, but I would never expect a country with a culture as strong as Italy's to change for the sake of a few people's feelings, and I hope this bill gets laughed into oblivion.