CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY CHARGES BOUVRY

CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY CHARGES BOUVRY

by | Dec 21, 2024 | Bouvry, Bouvry Alberta, Bouvry Horse Slaughter, BOUVRY LICENSE SUSPENDED, CFIA, CHARGES AGAINST BOUVRY, Horse Slaughter

COURT DATES JANUARY 6 – 17, 2025 

DECEMBER 13, 2024:

We continue to hear that Bouvry in Fort MacLeod has closed.

That rumour, a misinterpretation of a post by a well known and much respected by us group persists.  The main FEEDLOT – which is not adjacent to the plant  has been closed for many months now.

The plant continues to slaughter horses almost every week.

We know that the plant has been up for sale, several times we’ve heard that the plant has sold, or that “only one signature was needed for the deal to be done”.

Those rumours have persisted since late 2022, increasing dramatically since the end of 2023.

We do NOT think that the plant has sold and even if it has  – horses are being slaughtered – again – weekly.

WHAT WE DO KNOW… 

With very special thanks to a lawyer in Alberta who wishes to remain annoymous we do know that Bouvry has plead not guilty to charges laid against them by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Charges were laid July 17th, 2023 based on activities by Bouvry Exports Calgary, LTD, in 2021.

We describe the charges as animal cruelty and health food safety related.

You can learn more here.

Thanks to the same lawyer we know that the trial dates are January 6 to 17, 2025 in Fort MacLeod, Alberta.

Bouvry chose to settle out of court.  

WE ARE CURRENTLY RAISING FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF...

The Bouvry slaughter plant in Alberta is currently closed, though whether that closure is temporary or permanent remains unclear. The plant in Quebec continues to operate.

In British Columbia, independent butchers report receiving requests to slaughter horses alongside other livestock. To some, money is money — and an animal is simply meat so slaughter continues to thrive in the west.

Ban Horse Slaughter continues to intervene directly — purchasing horses from kill buyers and from pens operated by First Nations Bands before they are shipped for slaughter. With the help of a foster network, we place horses into safe, permanent homes.

The costs extend well beyond purchase — transport, feed, veterinary care, and ongoing support.

Ban Horse Slaughter is 100% volunteer-run.

0% goes to salaries.

If you would like to help us continue this work:

DONATE

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

ACTOR KATE DRUMMOND WEARS THEM

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN...

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LET'S THANK SENATOR DALPHOND OF QUEBEC FOR SUPPORTING BILL C-355 & PERSUADE HIM TO START ANOTHER BILL...

30 SECONDS TO SAVE HORSES

Help spread the word by sharing this email campaign with friends and family! You can also support the cause by donating—your contribution will help fund advertising efforts to raise awareness and push for change. Every action makes a difference!

DONATE

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES

CONTACT SENATE AG COMMITTEE

CONTACT SENATE AG COMMITTEE

by | Dec 21, 2024 | Bill C-355, BILL C-355 PAGE, Bill C-355 Senate updates, Horse Slaughter

YOU CAN HELP PASS BILL C-355

First published Dec. 12, 2024.  Updated Dec. 21, 2024.

Okay, we know, we know, you’ve signed and shared petitions including multiple Member of Parliament sponsored e-petitions – THANK YOU.

[Those e-petions went a long way to getting Bill C-355 — a bill to ban the live export of horses from Canada to any other country by air for the purpose of slaughter or to fatten for slaughter — read in Parliament.]

You’ve called and written Members of Parliament and maybe even met with Members of Parliament – again and again.  THANK YOU.

[Your responses helped get Bill C-355 through not only Parliament but also the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. WELL DONE.]

And now that Bill C-355  is in the hands of Canadian Senators  you may have already contacted at least one Senator or multiple Senators.  Again, THANK YOU.

You may have used form letters – like the one you’ll find HERE.

If not?  Please do.

Again from the bottom of our hearts – THANK YOU.

 

Would you, could you, take a few minutes this holiday season to send 11 individual emails to the Senators who serve on the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry? It appears that the bill is going to end up in the hands of that committee after the break for the holidays. So we need to make noise – NOW. There are 12 members. The Chair of the Committee, Senator Rob Black is NOT in favour of the bill passing and is fighting hard for the bill to be thrown out.

WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP…

We’re listing ALL the Committee members below and providing an email to copy and paste to each!
NOTE: Government servers will block emails addressed to more than one person.  We know it’s a pain but if you could send 11 individual emails your voice will be heard.

COPY + PASTE x 11 EMAILS

Subject: Urgent Support Needed for Bill C-355

Dear [Senator’s Name],

I am writing to respectfully urge you to support the swift passage of Bill C-355: the Prohibition of the Export of Horses by Air for Slaughter Act, currently under debate in the Senate. This critical piece of legislation addresses a profoundly inhumane practice that has no place in Canada’s modern values of compassion and animal welfare.

Every year, thousands of Canadian horses are subjected to harrowing journeys when they are tightly packed into wooden crates and flown to countries like Japan, where they are slaughtered for consumption as a raw delicacy. These flights, which can legally last up to 28 hours, often violate legal time limits for transport without food, water, or rest.

Horses endure immense physical and emotional stress, with inadequate space increasing the likelihood of injuries, collapses, and even deaths during transit.

Investigations by Animal Justice and Japan’s Life Investigation Agency have revealed the shocking realities of this practice. Evidence shows that flights frequently exceed legal time limits, and new records from the Government of Japan expose a higher rate of horse fatalities, injuries, and illnesses than Canadian reports acknowledge. This cruelty has drawn widespread condemnation from Canadians across all political affiliations.

Multiple e-petitions including one with over 77,000 signatures have been tabled in the House of Commons, reflecting the strong public demand for an end to this practice. Bill C-355 represents a narrowly focused and practical measure, targeting only the export of live horses for slaughter by air.

It does not impact the horse racing industry or the shipment of horses for other sporting purposes, or shows or personal use, all of which adhere to much higher standards of care when shipping. Furthermore, as a stand-alone bill, it cannot be amended in ways that would compromise its intent, eliminating concerns about potential overreach into other sectors.

Canada’s government pledged to ban the export of live horses for slaughter in 2021, and MP Tim Louis introduced Bill C-355 in 2023 to fulfill this promise. While the bill has successfully passed the House of Commons, it faces delays in the Senate. These delays risk perpetuating unnecessary suffering for countless horses and undermining Canada’s commitment to humane treatment of animals.

Supporting Bill C-355 affirms Canada’s dedication to compassion, empathy, and justice. It sends a clear message that we prioritize the welfare of our animals and align our policies with the values of the Canadian people. I implore you to vote in favour of this bill and advocate for its expeditious passage through the Senate.

Thank you for considering this urgent matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing Canada take a meaningful step toward a more humane future.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]

SENATOR ROBERT BLACK
(Chair)
Province: Ontario
Affiliation: Canadian Senators Group
Telephone: 613-943-3416
Email: robert.black@sen.parl.gc.ca

Sadly, Senator Black is strongly opposed to Bill C-355.

SENATOR PAULA SIMONS
(Deputy Chair)

Province: Alberta
Affiliation: Independent Senators Group
Telephone: 613-943-8242
Email: Paula.Simons@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR SHARON BUREY

Province: Ontario
Affiliation: Canadian Senators Group
Telephone: 613-996-8692
Email: Sharon.Burey@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR MARNIE MCBEAN

Province: Ontario
Affiliation: Independent Senators Group
Telephone: 613-995-5770
Email: Marnie.McBean@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR MANUELLE OUDAR

Province: Quebec – La Salle
Affiliation: Independent Senators Group
Telephone: 613-995-3172
Email: Manuelle.Oudar@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR KAREN SORENSEN

Province: Alberta
Traditional Territory: Treaty 7
Affiliation: Independent Senators Group
Telephone: 613-944-1115
Email: Karen.Sorensen@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR JOHN M. MCNAIR

Province: New Brunswick
Affiliation: Independent Senators Group
Telephone: 613-995-5060
Email: John.McNair@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR CHANTAL PETITCLERC

Province: Quebec – Grandville
Affiliation: Independent Senators Group
Telephone: 613-995-0298
Email: Chantal.Petitclerc@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR ELIZABETH MARSHALL

Province: Newfoundland and Labrador
Affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
Telephone: 613-943-4011
Email: elizabeth.marshall@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR TRACY MUGGLI

Province: Saskatchewan
Affiliation: Progressive Senate Group
Telephone: 613-943-1382
Email: Tracy.Muggli@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR DAVID RICHARDS

Province: New Brunswick
Affiliation: Non-affiliated
Telephone: 613-943-6263
Fax: 613-943-6265
Email: David.Richards@sen.parl.gc.ca

BUT WAIT… Didn’t we say there were 12 Senators on the committee but we’ve only mentioned 11 emails – so far?

Senator Pierre Dalphond is on the Committee and fighting tirelessly to push this bill through as written.  If you have an extra minute or two, please send him a thank you note!

SENATOR PIERRE J. DALPHOND

Province: Quebec – De Lorimier
Affiliation: Progressive Senate Group
Telephone: 613-943-3688
Fax: 613-943-3684
Email: PierreJ.Dalphond@sen.parl.gc.ca

WE ARE CURRENTLY RAISING FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF...

The Bouvry slaughter plant in Alberta is currently closed, though whether that closure is temporary or permanent remains unclear. The plant in Quebec continues to operate.

In British Columbia, independent butchers report receiving requests to slaughter horses alongside other livestock. To some, money is money — and an animal is simply meat so slaughter continues to thrive in the west.

Ban Horse Slaughter continues to intervene directly — purchasing horses from kill buyers and from pens operated by First Nations Bands before they are shipped for slaughter. With the help of a foster network, we place horses into safe, permanent homes.

The costs extend well beyond purchase — transport, feed, veterinary care, and ongoing support.

Ban Horse Slaughter is 100% volunteer-run.

0% goes to salaries.

If you would like to help us continue this work:

DONATE

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

ACTOR KATE DRUMMOND WEARS THEM

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN...

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

LET'S THANK SENATOR DALPHOND OF QUEBEC FOR SUPPORTING BILL C-355 & PERSUADE HIM TO START ANOTHER BILL...

30 SECONDS TO SAVE HORSES

Help spread the word by sharing this email campaign with friends and family! You can also support the cause by donating—your contribution will help fund advertising efforts to raise awareness and push for change. Every action makes a difference!

DONATE

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES
VIDEO: CBC CANADA NEWS TONIGHT

VIDEO: CBC CANADA NEWS TONIGHT

by | Dec 21, 2024 | Horse Slaughter

A POWERFUL INFORMATIVE SEGMENT

Thank you, Jann Arden, for your unwavering commitment to advocating for the protection of horses. Your efforts, particularly in helping to ban the live export of horses for slaughter, have made a tremendous difference. (That is an understatement – where would this cause  be without you?)

It’s inspiring to see you continue to use your platform to raise awareness, and your recent features in the press are a testament to the importance of this cause. Your dedication is deeply appreciated!

BILL C-355 IS 'DEAD' SO HERE WE GO AGAIN...

UPDATED APRIL 2025

Even though not a single member of the Conservative Party was willing to vote in favour of Bill C-355 -- and every step of the way Conservatives fought to block Bill C-355 - designed to ban the export of horses for slaughter...

The Liberal Party persisted and Bill C-355  passed through Parliament - it was taken out of the hands of the Prime Minister Trudeau and Members of Parliament and it was put into the hands of Canadian Senators BUT...

UPDATE:  Once a Federal election was called for April of 2025 the bill automatically came to an end in Senate.

So we start again... please keep reading.

DONATE

WE ARE CURRENTLY RAISING FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF...

The Bouvry slaughter plant in Alberta is currently closed, though whether that closure is temporary or permanent remains unclear. The plant in Quebec continues to operate.

In British Columbia, independent butchers report receiving requests to slaughter horses alongside other livestock. To some, money is money — and an animal is simply meat so slaughter continues to thrive in the west.

Ban Horse Slaughter continues to intervene directly — purchasing horses from kill buyers and from pens operated by First Nations Bands before they are shipped for slaughter. With the help of a foster network, we place horses into safe, permanent homes.

The costs extend well beyond purchase — transport, feed, veterinary care, and ongoing support.

Ban Horse Slaughter is 100% volunteer-run.

0% goes to salaries.

If you would like to help us continue this work:

DONATE

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

ACTOR KATE DRUMMOND WEARS THEM

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN...

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

LET'S THANK SENATOR DALPHOND OF QUEBEC FOR SUPPORTING BILL C-355 & PERSUADE HIM TO START ANOTHER BILL...

30 SECONDS TO SAVE HORSES

Help spread the word by sharing this email campaign with friends and family! You can also support the cause by donating—your contribution will help fund advertising efforts to raise awareness and push for change. Every action makes a difference!

DONATE

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES
SHOW HORSES SHIPPED TO JAPAN FOR SLAUGHTER

SHOW HORSES SHIPPED TO JAPAN FOR SLAUGHTER

by | Dec 20, 2024 | Bill C-355, Horse Slaughter, Kevin Wilson, Kevin Wilson Percherons, Kevin Wilson Vankleek Hill, Overview

PERCHERON BREEDER WHO SHOWS HORSES EXPORTS FOR SLAUGHTER

First published August 31, 2022 – UPDATED December 14, 2024.

Have YOU ever wondered who is behind exporting horses from Canada to Japan for slaughter for human consumption?

For years, we’ve been told that horses shipped to Japan for slaughter were “purpose-bred.”

But according to the publication ‘Ontario Farmer’, Kevin Wilson described Japan as “a great export market, adding value to farmers for Canada’s surplus horses.”

This distinction matters because it undermines a common justification for the trade.

If these are “surplus” horses, then they are NOT purpose-bred meat animals at all.

They are horses from other sectors — horses routinely treated with equine medications such as wormers and phenylbutazone (BUTE), drugs that are not permitted in animals raised for human consumption.

According to an article from Ontario Farmer magazine titled: HORSES STILL HEAD TO JAPAN (Print Edition) Tuesday, Aug 30, 2022 Page: B13 | Section: Livestock

“Kevin Wilson’s diversified farming operation at Vankleek Hill [Ontario, Canada] facilitates the majority of these exports.”

The article goes on to say: 

“Thinly sliced horse meat, called basashi, is a sought after product in Japan and is a great export market, adding value to farmers for Canada’s surplus horses, he [Kevin Wilson] said.”

SO WHO IS KEVIN WILSON?

You may be surprised to learn that according to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts and various articles in the press,  Kevin Wilson not only breeds and raises Percherons, his farm business owns 300 Percherons and he shows Percherons at fairs and events in Canada and the USA.

Are you shocked that someone who shows horses would facilitate the shipment of horses to slaughter?

Kevin Wilson features the picture above on his farm’s Twitter account.

With the caption…

“Something special about a girl and her horse”.

We found that an interesting quote from someone who ships his “surplus horses” to Japan by air to be slaughtered for human consumption.

Senator Rob Black, third from the left, opposed Bill C-355 and supports the live export of horses for slaughter.  Kevin Wilson is on the right.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON KEVIN WILSON

From an article titled “Busy, successful show season for Wilson Farms Percherons” published by THE REVIEW . CA

“A full schedule of horse shows and agricultural fairs is back across Canada and the United States this year, and that has meant a busy, successful show season for Percheron draught horses from Wilson Farms of Vankleek Hill.

Draught horses have been in our blood for the last three to four generations,” says Kevin Wilson, who co-owns and operates Wilson Farms with his father, Ian Wilson. The main business of Wilson Farms is grain storage and elevation, and they also have beef cattle.

According to Kevin Wilson, the farm has around 300 Percheron draught horses, mostly being raised in Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri. Out of those 300, 11 geldings are used for shows across Canada and the United States. Many of the horses are raised for purchase by Amish farmers in the Midwestern US.”

Further down the article goes on to state:

“So far in 2022, Wilson horses have consistently been in the top five in their classes at draught horse shows locally and in the United States. At the TLA Classic Show in Topeka, Indiana, they placed fourth out of 16 entries in the Classic Series Cart Class, third out of seven teams in the Percheron Six Horse Hitch, first out of 16 teams in the Junior Cart Class, and second out of five teams in Percheron Pair Class.”

You can read the full article here.

CTV W5 EXPOSÉ

Okay, so if you are not aware, in addition to the slaughter of horses being legal and happening within Canada, Canada allows for the live transport of horses to other countries for the purpose of slaughter.

Make no mistake about it, the way in which these horses are transported in no way, shape or form resembles the way show and sport horses are transported.

Horses are crammed in crates, often 3 or even 4 in crates designed for one horse – but don’t take our word for it – watch the full CTV W5 report here.

IATA & CFIA REGULATIONS REGULARLY BROKEN

BELOW you will find a 2 minute video that includes a shipper freely admitting that regulations limiting the length of time horses can be in transport without food, water or veterinary care was recently broken  – with permission of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) – the federal agency charged with protecting the safety of livestock being transported within and out of Canada.

(IATA: International Air Transport Association is the global trade association representing the world’s airlines. IATA sets standards for airline operations, ticketing, cargo transport, safety protocols, and live animal transport regulations used by many carriers worldwide.)

WE ARE CURRENTLY RAISING FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF...

The Bouvry slaughter plant in Alberta is currently closed, though whether that closure is temporary or permanent remains unclear. The plant in Quebec continues to operate.

In British Columbia, independent butchers report receiving requests to slaughter horses alongside other livestock. To some, money is money — and an animal is simply meat so slaughter continues to thrive in the west.

Ban Horse Slaughter continues to intervene directly — purchasing horses from kill buyers and from pens operated by First Nations Bands before they are shipped for slaughter. With the help of a foster network, we place horses into safe, permanent homes.

The costs extend well beyond purchase — transport, feed, veterinary care, and ongoing support.

Ban Horse Slaughter is 100% volunteer-run.

0% goes to salaries.

If you would like to help us continue this work:

DONATE

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

ACTOR KATE DRUMMOND WEARS THEM

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN...

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

LET'S THANK SENATOR DALPHOND OF QUEBEC FOR SUPPORTING BILL C-355 & PERSUADE HIM TO START ANOTHER BILL...

30 SECONDS TO SAVE HORSES

Help spread the word by sharing this email campaign with friends and family! You can also support the cause by donating—your contribution will help fund advertising efforts to raise awareness and push for change. Every action makes a difference!

DONATE

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES

ALBERTA MOUNTAIN HORSE PRESERVATION SOCIETY

ALBERTA MOUNTAIN HORSE PRESERVATION SOCIETY

by | Dec 20, 2024 | Alberta, ALBERTA WILD HORSES CTA, Wild Horses, Wild Horses Alberta, Wild Horses of Alberta Society

The Alberta Mountain Horse Preservation Society are very concerned about wild horses and the threats to their existence in Alberta.

They are a non profit society and we found the questions and concerns they shared in this post especially interesting.

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

WE ARE CURRENTLY RAISING FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF...

The Bouvry slaughter plant in Alberta is currently closed, though whether that closure is temporary or permanent remains unclear. The plant in Quebec continues to operate.

In British Columbia, independent butchers report receiving requests to slaughter horses alongside other livestock. To some, money is money — and an animal is simply meat so slaughter continues to thrive in the west.

Ban Horse Slaughter continues to intervene directly — purchasing horses from kill buyers and from pens operated by First Nations Bands before they are shipped for slaughter. With the help of a foster network, we place horses into safe, permanent homes.

The costs extend well beyond purchase — transport, feed, veterinary care, and ongoing support.

Ban Horse Slaughter is 100% volunteer-run.

0% goes to salaries.

If you would like to help us continue this work:

DONATE

T-SHIRTS IN SUPPORT OF HORSE RESCUE FUND 

LIMITED TIME OFFER FREE SHIPPING CANADA & USA 

ACTOR KATE DRUMMOND WEARS THEM

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN...

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

LET'S THANK SENATOR DALPHOND OF QUEBEC FOR SUPPORTING BILL C-355 & PERSUADE HIM TO START ANOTHER BILL...

30 SECONDS TO SAVE HORSES

Help spread the word by sharing this email campaign with friends and family! You can also support the cause by donating—your contribution will help fund advertising efforts to raise awareness and push for change. Every action makes a difference!

DONATE

BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER

FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR ANY PURPOSE
DONATESHOP TO SAVE HORSES

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