CFIA limits ports of entry for slaughter-bound horses Thursday, November 3, 2011 by KAREN BRIGGSThe 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 Farm silo hazard alert isn't enough says union Urban agriculture resource proves popular
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online
Cattle Stress Tool May Boost Fertility Friday, June 27, 2025 Kansas State University researchers have developed a cool tool that may help reduce cattle stress and improve artificial insemination (AI) results. The idea came from animal science experts Nicholas Wege Dias and Sandy Johnson, who observed that cattle accustomed to their environment... Read this article online
Ontario pasture lands get $5M boost Friday, June 27, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $5 million to strengthen shared community grazing pastures. This funding supports the province’s plan to protect Ontario’s agriculture sector and help cattle farmers improve pasture quality, ensuring long-term sustainability and... Read this article online
Health Canada sets rules for drone spraying Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Health Canada has approved the use of drones, also called Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), for pesticide application under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Drones are considered aircraft by Transport Canada, but Health Canada treats them differently due to their unique... Read this article online
Twelve Ontario Agri-Businesses Receive Funding Support Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Bioenterprise Canada has announced the successful recipients of the second call for proposals under the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream. Twelve organizations across Ontario will receive support to bring innovative agri-food solutions to the... Read this article online