Thank you Humane Canada for submitting a brief on Bill C-355 for the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food.  Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

With regard to transportation, Humane Canada holds that no animal should be transported in a manner that is likely to cause suffering. This requires consideration of environmental conditions to which they are exposed, that containers and handling must be appropriate to the species, and that animals being transported together must be compatible, among other factors. Given that transportation is the most distressing time in a farmed animal’s life, transportation should be minimized, and journeys should be as short as possible.

Because the live export of horses via long-distance flights for slaughter cannot meet these requirements and due to the inherent risks to animal welfare, Humane Canada is unable to support this practice.

You may not be aware but  in addition to allowing the slaughter of horses within Canada for human consumption — 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 horses destined to be slaughtered are transported, in no way shape or form resembles the great care, when being shipped by air shown to pet or show or sport horses – including racehorses.

Horses destined for slaughter 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 or a shorter 2 minute video below.

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 CFIA – the federal agency charged with protecting the safety of livestock being transported within and out of Canada.