by KAREN BRIGGS
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced that, effective January 1, 2012, shipments of American horses destined for Canadian abbatoirs may enter Canada only at one of eight designated border crossings, three of which are in Ontario.
The ports of entry at Windsor, Sarnia, and Niagara Falls/Queenston will henceforth be the only Ontario crossings which will accept slaughter-bound horses.
Horses being transported across the border for the purpose of racing, showing, or breeding will not be affected and may enter the country at any border crossing.
The three designated border crossings are staffed by CFIA veterinarians and have appropriate unloading facilities. Slaughter-bound shipments will be accepted only during the CFIA’s regular hours of operation, and transporters will be required to arrange an appointment for inspection of the animals at least 24 hours before arrival.
Since 2007, there have been no operational slaughterhouses in the United States which process horse meat. American horses designated for slaughter are now shipped either to Mexico, or to Canada, where four abbatoirs – two in Quebec, and two in Alberta – currently process horse meat.
Norval Meats, the only facility in Ontario to accept equines in recent years, officially closed in March 2011.
Lisa Gauthier, of CFIA’s Media Relations department, explained the changes. “The Government of Canada takes the humane treatment of animals seriously and has been taking steps to enforce the regulations for the humane transportation and slaughter of animals.
“These new measures are being taken to enhance the CFIA’s ability to verify compliance with the humane transport provisions of the Health of Animals Regulations.
“Humane transport issues have been identified in this industry.”
In addition, Gauthier said, the CFIA has determined that not all of the border crossings had facilities appropriate for unloading horses, and/or veterinary staff available for inspections. BF
Comments
It's about time the CFIA did they job!
There are too many horses and not enough hay, they are better off slaughtered than starving in people's back yard. I see it all the time with Johnny do gooders, trying to save rank horses that can get people killed or injured, or horses that are lame and suffering that people are too attached to and to selfish to do the right thing, I agree with horse slaughter 100 percent
They are going to have to do much more than that. The EU just issued a report stating the traceability of US horses were "not satisfactory" and the US would have to implement a traceability system comparable to the passport system or they must be refused for export to the EU.
I'm an American and I can tell you for sure that our horses are NOT fit for human consumption - none of them. We have no traceability system for horses, as they are not considered to be food animals here. There are a myriad of horse products with the warning "not for use in horses intended for food purposes." NO horse here is INTENDED for human consumption, so all are allowed to use anything, including the bute on which there is a lifetime ban. I could guarantee every horse in the US has had bute at some point in their lives, which is supposed to ban them from the human food chain for life. But, since we have NO traceability, they are going into the human food chain daily. And our authorities are turning a blind eye to this blatant criminal activity because the heavy hitting lobbyists want - for reasons known only to themselves - to restart horse slaughter in the US. 80% of the American people are adamantly against horse slaughter, but this doesn't matter apparently.
Canada really should ban our horses completely or strongly advise the EU to do so. How this unconscionable export of tainted horse meat for humans to eat can continue is unbelievable.
We adopted 2 PMU foals 8 years age, saving them from slaughter. Evidently the little ones are considered delicacies in Japan. I do know that all the Wormers we use specifically say "not for use in horses intended for food purposes."
We adopted 2 PMU foals 8 years age, saving them from slaughter. Evidently the little ones are considered delicacies in Japan. I do know that all the Wormers we use specifically say "not for use in horses intended for food purposes."
Happy for the 2 foals you saved. It would not surprise me if they make the horses suffer on purpose in Japan as some believe that an animal under stress tastes better. Good point about the worming medications.
i think horse slaughter should be banded
there is a large ethnic population here in Canada that eat horse meat. It is not up to those of us who do not to tell them they are wrong beccause some one thinks they are to cute and cuddly to eat.
If there is a market in our country sould we let companys from other countrys make the profit from horse meat or should we have our own people who can do the job just as will and probubly better then any one else. Also we can keep a better eye on how the processing is done and the humane treatment of the amimals.
just my thoughts
Oh really? What large ethnic population? Some Quebeckers eat it, and some very pretentious restaurants serve it, but the other 9 provinces and 3 territories would give you the side-eye if you suggested they eat horse.
These are the fact of horse meat. We should not tell people what species we should eat long as we have proper inspection of the meat.
Horse meat is the culinary name for meat cut from a horse. It is a major meat in only a few countries, notably in Central Asia, but it forms a significant part of the culinary traditions of many others, from Europe to South America to Asia. The top eight countries consume about 4.7 million horses a year. For the majority of mankind's early existence, wild horses were hunted as a source of protein.[1][2] It is slightly sweet, tender, low in fat and high in protein.[3]
However, because of the role horses have played as companions and as workers, and concerns about the ethics of the horse slaughter process, it is a taboo food in some cultures. These historical associations, as well as ritual and religion, led to the development of the aversion to the consumption of horse meat. The horse is now given pet status by many in some parts of the Western world, particularly in the U.S.A. and U.K., which further solidifies the taboo on eating its meat. This avoidance and the loss of taste for it is relatively modern, although it arises out of complex historical and cultural origins.
Horses are raised in a domesticated environment as are dogs and cats. Once they no longer make human owners money or start to effect someone's bottom line they are thrown out with the trash. Some countries eat dogs and cats also, but I don't want that to happen in Canada. What large ethnic population are you referring to? There is nothing humane about a horse that was raised by humans in a warm stable environment being all of the sudden sent on an over 24 hour journey in the cold with no water or food. Then to be corralled outside for days only to be brought inside to get a huge dead bolt smashed into it's head. There are not only adult old horses sent to slaughter, but also foals.
Horse slaughter is a necessary evil, it is what allows the horse industry to stay somewhat stable. Without it, we have an over populated industry lowering prices for the horses, and raising the cost of grain and hay. Slaughter allows for people to have jobs, and for a more controlled population.
So that makes it okay? How about dogs and cats are they next in your little world?
Can you explain why there are foals waiting outside along with mares at these slaughter plants. The racing industry throws away (gets around $600 per horse to be sold as meat) horses that they deem no longer viable winners just as owners of dogs that race. These animals are raised around people in comfortable stables then they are thrown into the trash. These horse breeders need to have stricter controls put on them. Also, sorry animals/horses are not here to provide us humans with jobs.
They should BAND slaughter houses anywhere! they are living,breathing, lovely creatures, and I don't think you'd want to be in a slaughter house missing maybe your foals or other companion rider... the horses are with no food no water no rest no space to sleep for 38 hours into Canada. so they should BAND horse slaughter
The Euporeans do not eat European horses… they eat the overpopulated North American horses. Let's implement breeding regulations like Europe and breed horses that are well-bred and educate the public.
What kind of horse breeding regulations does Europe have?
If we have a DOG or CAT, that is old,or suffering from disease or injury, civilized , responsible people have a licenced Vet HUMANELY euthanize them where they simply go to sleep experiencing no stress or pain.
If we have a HORSE that is old.or suffering from disease or injury, civilized, responsible people would afford this animal the same end of life measures as a DOG or CAT. People who have DOGS, CATS or HORSES should not have them if they are unable to provide HUMANE end of life measures of a licenced Vet. As for the overabundance of HORSES, one does not have to be an Einstein to come to the conclusion that these BARBARIC breeders need to be regulated. BINGO, PROBLEM SOLVED.
Look at some of the horses you drive by on the I don,t khow if you call them farms or just houses and some you can count the ribs from the road. Likely the horses at alot of places likely be relieved to be put out of its misery. If you like to eat horse whats the big deal does anyone ban the other meat we eat as humans .
IN THE HANDS OF KILL BUYERS!
When horses are purchased at auction by buyers intending to kill them, they're hauled away in double- decker tractor trailers where they are beaten and often blinded with baseball bats to mollify them. After crossing the border into Mexico, the animals are stabbed on each side-an act to tenderize their meat-and immobilize. Workers, then saw the horses legs off, at the knee and hang them to bleed out-all while the horses are ALIVE! (This is an excerpt, from an article written by Missy Diaz, crediting Victoria Mc Cullough and Sen. Joe Abruzzo for bringing awareness of horse slaughter, to Florida.
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