Ban live horse exports

AI summary

Petitioners ask Canada to amend the Health of Animals Regulations to prohibit the live export of horses for slaughter. The government responds it enforces updated HAR with CFIA inspections but has not implemented a ban.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Government of Canada, addressed to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture WHEREAS Horses continue to be exported live from Canada for slaughter, often enduring long journeys and inhumane conditions. Canadians are increasingly concerned about the welfare of animals and demand regulatory protections. The Health of Animals Regulations currently allow the export of live horses for slaughter, leaving them vulnerable to suffering. Amending the Health of Animals Regulations to ban live horse exports would align Canada with public concern for animal welfare. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada, through the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture, to: Ban the live export of horses for slaughter by amending the Health of Animals Regulations to prohibit this practice.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Signed by The Honourable Heath MacDonald, PC, MP The Government of Canada is strongly committed to the humane treatment and handling of animals throughout all life stages and recognizes that this issue is of great concern to those who are signatories to this petition. Under the Health of Animals Regulations (HAR), updated and strengthened requirements related to the humane transport of animals came into effect in February 2020. The HAR had not been updated since the 1970s and one of the intents of that update was to establish clear transport requirements based on the most recent data to better reflect the needs of animals with a view to improve the welfare of animals during transportation. In Canada, the humane treatment and handling of livestock throughout the production cycle is protected by a combination of provincial and federal laws and regulations. More precisely, conformity to the norms on animal care on farms falls under provincial jurisdiction, while animal welfare during transport is within the federal government’s jurisdiction. For horses exported for slaughter, they are typically sourced from multiple producers, mostly from Western Canada, and then raised, fed, cared for, and maintained, for a period of time prior to export. These horses are transported from feedlots to the airport where they are handled and loaded onto planes. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) veterinary inspectors are present for each air shipment to certify the export, as required by the Health of Animals Act. The CFIA inspectors have the authority to delay, refuse certification, or take enforcement action if humane transport requirements are not met. Horses are then transported by air to the importing country, and horses that are exported from Canada for slaughter are subject to the same regulations as horses shipped for other uses, such as breeding or international sporting events. For every shipment, all participants are required to meet all Canadian and international standards. Once abroad, local authorities are then responsible for their own regulatory oversight. Typically, the horses are further fed and maintained in the export country for months to years prior to slaughter. The HAR remains in place to regulate the humane transport of animals. The HAR is designed to establish requirements for how animals are transported, rather than to permit or prohibit transport based on the intended end use of the animal. All those involved in transporting animals, either directly or indirectly, have the responsibility to assess the animals for fitness, prepare and load only animals that are fit for the intended journey, and then protect them from suffering, injury, or death during transport. Responsible transporters must all adhere to regulations and standards, for example, by respecting the floor space for horses travelling in groups set by the International Air Transportation Association to avoid crowding. While the revised HAR ensures a robust system of laws and regulations are in place to protect animal welfare, the Government of Canada recognizes that concerns continue to be raised regarding the export of horses for slaughter. The Government of Canada and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food have heard the views expressed by concerned Canadians and remains committed to maintaining robust standards for the humane transport and handling of animals. The Government values the perspectives of all stakeholders and remains committed to ensuring that the welfare of animals is prioritized, and policies or laws are informed by science and are effective. The CFIA continues to inspect all live horse shipments before export by air to verify that the horses are fit to travel and are transported in accordance with the Health of Animals Act and the HAR. This includes adherence to the feed, water, and rest provisions of the HAR. In addition, container construction requirements and stocking density required by the Live Animal Regulations of the International Air Transport Association of Canada must be met. To conclude this answer, the Government would like to thank petitioners for this opportunity to reiterate that the Government takes the issue of animal welfare seriously.