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

Have you ever wondered who is behind exporting horses from Canada to Japan for the purpose of slaughter 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.”

By “these” exports the article means horses exported from Canada to Japan for the purpose of slaughter for human consumption.

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.”

We found the use of the word “surplus” in the article from Ontario Farmer interesting.

For years we’ve been led to believe that horses shipped to Japan for slaughter were specifically bred for that purpose, yet according to the article Kevin Wilson stated…

“Japan…”  “is a great export market, adding value to farmers for Canada’s surplus horses…”

Could it be that at least some of the “surplus” horses were not purpose bred and that some of those shipped to Japan are treated with drugs typically used on horses – for example wormers and BUTE –  drugs known to be toxic to humans?

Scroll down to learn more about 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.

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.

Okay, so if you are not aware, 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 sporting 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.

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.

With your help we've saved 16 horses in the last few months -- horses who would otherwise have been shipped directly to slaughter -- and we currently have room to save 4 more.

Thank you to all who have so generously contributed!

UPDATE JAN. 18, 2025:  It’s been a challenging whirlwind but 16 horses have been saved, 2 placed in permanent homes which means we have room to save 4 more!

Of course, the initial expense of buying horses from First Nations (or kill buyers) so they are not shipped to slaughter is not the biggest nut to crack. Hay, feed, vetting, farrier, and other costs are needed in addition to funds to initially purchase horses to prevent them from being shipped to slaughter - or being left to languish in pens awaiting the same fate.

We always hate to ask but if you are able to help we would love to be able to fill each of the foster homes before these groups of horses are shipped.

Again, we can’t save them all but with your help we can save a total of 20!  

 Recently on social media, we’ve noticed some advocates blaming Prime Minister Trudeau for the ongoing export of horses from Canada to Japan and other markets for the purpose of slaughter.

We are thankful that Prime Minister Trudeau and other Liberal MPs including MP Leah Taylor-Roy  brought forward Bill C-355 – a bill to ban the export of horses by air for the purpose of slaughter. (BILL C-355 DETAILS HERE.)

Actually, that’s an understatement. We can not adequately express our thanks to all who were instrumental in bringing the bill forward and all who advocated for it.  For example Jann Arden & EVERY single Liberal MP including PM Trudeau – every last one voted in favour of the bill to ban the export of horses for slaughter passing.

We are far less impressed with Conservatives who fought tooth and nail for this bill to NOT pass and who unanimously voted against it passing.

Yes, really, you can check the voting stats here.

Despite the fight Conservatives put up the Bill is now in the hands of the Senate and will be discussed further and voted on this fall.

In the meantime, what can we each do?

Reach out to Senators, if you are a Canadian citizen, every Senator represents you.  SCROLL DOWN for a CALL TO ACTION.

You have the right to speak up and demand that they pay attention to what YOU want.