https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/cfia-horses-transport-slaughter-1.5396246

December 8, 2019:

The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition recevied notice that a decision in the ground breaking lawsuit filed against the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has been announced.

Unfortunately the judge decided in favour of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition launched this lawsuit because of evidence that the Health of Animals Regulations (HAR) were being broken, when horses are transported to Japan, by air, to be slaughtered there for human consumption.

The case was heard over the last two days of October 2019 and for horse lovers across Canada, the evidence was clear.  Canadian and International shipping laws are being broken.

Unfortunately the judge decided that the Health of Animals Regulations (HAR), are not the responsiblity of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, but are the responsiblity of those exporting horses, and of the owners of the horses being exported.

The Canadian Horse Defence Coalitin is considering an appeal of Mr. Justice Keith Boswell’s decision.  Further details to be announced ASAP.

December 10, 2019:

Former Canadian Food Inspection Agency Veterinarian Maureen Harper writes:

“This is a very bad decision and if left to stand, provides terrible jurisprudence for future cases. The judge basically said that the CFIA has the discretion to enforce the federal regulations as they see fit and regardless, the case should have been directed at the exporters and not the goverment.

He is just plain wrong on both accounts. This was a Writ of Mandabus case and as such, had to be lodged against the government. And there is no legal authority granting the government. discretion in how they enforce the regulations.

Finally, the judge tossed the affidavit submitted by the CHDC.  He had already tossed mine months before. It’s clear to me that the fix was in to just prop up the government. So disgusting!”

https://banhorseslaughter.com/former-cfia-veterinarian-speaks-out/

December 10th, 2019.  Rebeka Breder writes:

“We are incredibly disappointed to learn that we lost the horse slaughter lawsuit against the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.  The court found that the CFIA does not have to follow its regulations and that it has the discretion to decide how to enforce them. We strongly disagree.

In this particular case, the law is abundantly clear that inspections of all horses must be done (by CFIA inspectors) prior to all shipments, and that all shipments must be certified as being compliant with the law. For years, these inspectors have been certifying these shipments, even though horses were being shipped contrary to the law (ie, crammed horses into small crates, instead of being separated to avoid harming each other; and not providing enough headroom). We are now considering an appeal. ‬

I will post the decision once it is available to the public.

October 28, 2019

Horse Protection Group’s Legal Challenge Against the CFIA – October 30-31 in Vancouver

3 to 4 horses are loaded into crates smaller than a single horse stall;

Many horses being air shipped to Japan are large draft types over 17 hands (68”), contravening the Health of Animals Regulations;

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sets out standards for Live Animals Regulations, stipulating that horses must be shipped individually and have sufficient head clearance;

IATA only allows exceptions for small polo ponies or Icelandic horses to be shipped in modified horse containers without partitions;

Large draft horses can be 3 times the size of such ponies, therefore contravening IATA regulations.

Canadian and international shipping regulations are being broken.

Horses are air shipped from Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg, Canada, to Japan and South Korea.

In 2018 over 7,000 horses were air shipped from Canada to Japan for slaughter for human consumption.

The actual number for 2018 is just shy of 9,000.

Make no mistake about it, horses destined to be slaughtered in Japan and South Korea for human consumption are not transported with the same care and respect that show horses receive.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2021:  LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA ELECTION MANDATE INCLUDES...

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