We demand a ban for the production, import, and use of PMSG

South America

We are working against the brutal PMSG production in Argentina and Uruguay.

Germany

We call for an end to of the illegal PMSG production in the European Union.

Iceland

Stop the exploitation of half-wild Icelandic mares for the blood hormone PMSG.

Germany

PMSG production in Germany

When we discovered the PMSG production in the Thuringian Haflinger stud Meura at the end of 2019, the authorities gave contradictory statements: The federal government was of the opinion that blood collections from pregnant mares are to be classified as animal experiments and the state authorities are responsible for the approval. In contrast, the Thuringian ministry (TMASGFF) took the view that the serum collection for the production of an active substance is not an animal experiment and thus not subject to approval. Because of these inconsistent legal interpretations, we commissioned a legal expert opinion. It comes to a clear conclusion: Blood collections for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals are classified as animal experiments. However, the blood collections for the production of PMSG are unlawful because animal experiments must fulfil the condition of indispensability.

According to the federal government, there are 36 synthetic alternatives to PMSG available on the market. Hence the PMSG production is not necessary, it is dispensable. Furthermore, the German guidelines for the collection of blood and blood products generally prohibit blood extractions from pregnant mares.

After several complaints and requests, the Thuringian ministry and the competent state agency changed their mind in mid-2020 and stated that the procedure in Meura is indeed an animal experiment. Without further examination of the preconditions, Meura was granted the permission to continue tapping blood from pregnant mares for another five years.

Update 2023: The German pharmaceutical company IDT Biologika, that used to be the only buyer of blood plasma from Meura, sold its veterinary division and thus the PMSG production to the French company Ceva Santé Animale in 2019. A milestone was reached in 2022: The PMSG production in the Haflinger stud farm Meura was stopped, after Ceva Santé Animale had cancelled the supply contract. Despite this success, we will continue to advocate for a ban on PMSG.

We are taking legal and political action against the arbitrary approval practice for these unnecessary "animal experiments". We advocate for a ban of PMSG production at national and EU level. Because without a legal ban, the production of PMSG can be resumed in Germany and other EU states at any time. We must prevented that Germany and Meura become a door opener for an EU-wide PMSG production. In addition, we call on the Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir to also ban the import and use for PMSG in Germany.

Legal expert opinion (PDF)

Investigation Reports

05. March 2022

PMSG investigation in Argentina: Blood farm Syntex

During a six-day investigation in Argentina, we observe the Syntex blood farm. This blood farm keeps thousands of mares from which blood is taken during pregnancy for the production of the fertility hormone PMSG. We had already filmed the violent handling of the mares during blood collection in both 2015 and 2018. There have been no improvements to…

12. December 2021

PMSG investigation in Uruguay: Blood farm Biomega

During an investigation in Uruguay, we observe the Biomega blood farm over two days. Blood collections from pregnant mares continue to take place to produce the fertility hormone PMSG. We take a look at the wide pastures where the so-called “blood mares” are kept. It is very hot, and the small bushes do not provide enough shade for the horses. The…

15. September 2021

Iceland | PMSG production | Blood extraction

On this relatively small blood farm, blood is extracted today from 60 mares in three restraint boxes, which takes three hours in total. The mares are restrained in the boxes with a belt over their backs so that they cannot rear up. Their heads are pulled up by a rope and fixed to one side of the box. Then, a large-bore cannula is inserted into…

10. September 2021

Iceland | PMSG production | Blood extraction

Video footage obtained on a large blood farm with six restraint boxes shows the everyday treatment of blood mares during blood extraction. The entire procedure, lasting three hours in total, is stressful for the semi-wild horses.

The mares and foals are herded from the pasture to the blood collection site with honking cars, shouting people and…

28. April 2021

PMSG investigation in Uruguay: Blood farm Biomega

During an investigation into PMSG production in Uruguay, we observe the Biomega blood farm for three days. There, blood is taken from pregnant mares for the production of the fertility hormone PMSG. We had already filmed the violent handling of mares during blood collection in 2018, and despite promises by the Uruguayan government to improve the…

09. September 2019

Iceland | PMSG production | Blood farms for hormone production

During ten days of investigation in Iceland, we find 40 blood farms out of around 100 farms where blood is taken from pregnant mares for the production of the fertility hormone PMSG. We detect numerous risks of injury to the mares at these facilities. Most raceways and restraint boxes have dangerous gaps where the mares can injure their legs, and…

23. July 2018

Uruguay | Blood farm “Biomega SA” | Blood mares

Near the Biomega blood farm, a group of 300 mares is moved by two gauchos on horseback on a stony gravel road. They are on the way to a nearby pasture. The horses’ condition is variable: some look healthy, on first glance, and have an adequate body weight, while others are extremely emaciated. The horses have neglected hooves, some with cracks, and…

23. July 2018

Argentina | Province of Buenos Aires | Blood farm “Syntex SA” | Blood extraction

From 8:15 until 10:30, more than 200 pregnant mares go through the blood extraction procedure. They are moved through the raceways and into the restraint boxes by brute force. The mares are hit with iron hooks, including on their heads, and poked in sensitive body parts. Wooden sticks are also used. Once they are inside the restraint box, the…

23. July 2018

Uruguay | Cerro Largo | Blood farm “Biomega SA” | Blood extraction

The blood extraction starts at 8:15 in the morning. Blood is taken for 6 to 13.5 minutes from the pregnant mares. The handling by the employees is extremely unprofessional and cruel. Different objects are used to force the horses into the restraint boxes: long wooden sticks, short pointed sticks, ropes and rubber strings. The mares are…