Bill C-544 is "An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act and the Meat Inspection Act (slaughter of horses for human consumption)".
Shutting down the licensed horse processing plants in Canada would have no affect on food safety, it would however, have a very adverse affect on the welfare of horses in North America. As we have seen in the US, the elimination of horse processing has resulted in an increase in the number of “unwanted” horses and hence the number of neglected horses. It could result in an underground horse meat market that would circumvent any food safety regulations. More horses would be transported longer distances, sometimes under adverse conditions to Mexico, where animal welfare laws are lacking.
We must all work together to ensure our food is safe and that all animals are cared for and respected throughout their lives.
ACTION: Contact your elected official and explain that shutting down the licensed horse processing plants in Canada would have a very adverse affect on the welfare of horses in North America.
Resources
- HWAC Horse Processing and Animal Welfare fact sheet
- Members of Parliament list with contact details
- Parliament of Canada, Bill C-544
The following links provide other responses to the Bill
- Ontario Farm Animal Care Council (OFAC)
- Equine Canada
- Constituent in Manitoba
Updates
- Letter from Hon. Marlene Jennings regarding Bill C-544
- 25 Aug 2010 HWAC letter to Hon Marlene Jennings
22 Jun 2010
Alex Atamanenko MP
BC Southern Interior
525 Confederation Building House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
RE: Private Members Bill (C-544) - Ban Horse Slaughter
Dear Mr Atamanenko:
The Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada is an alliance of provincial equine organizations and farm animal care groups whose purpose is the dissemination of correct information related to the Canadian horse industry to horse owners and the general public.
In response to your tabled Private Members Bill (C-544) - Ban Horse Slaughter, we understand your concerns about drugs that are prohibited for use during the life of any animals destined for the human food supply and agree we must ensure all food is safe. But you must understand shutting down the horse processing plants in Canada will not ensure food safety.
As you are aware, the use of drugs in food producing animals is regulated by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). As a step to ensuring horse meat is safe for human consumption it will be mandatory, as of 31 Jul 2010, for all federally inspected facilities in Canada to have complete records for all animals (domestic and imported) presented for processing.
Shutting down the licensed horse processing plants in Canada would have no affect on food safety, it would however, have a very adverse affect on the welfare of horses in North America. As we have seen in the US, the elimination of horse processing has resulted in an increase in the number of “unwanted” horses and hence the number of neglected horses. It could result in an underground horse meat market that would circumvent any food safety regulations. More horses would be transported long distances, sometimes under adverse conditions to Mexico, where animal welfare laws are lacking.
We must all work together to ensure our food is safe and that all animals are cared for and respected throughout their lives. We would be delighted to pursue communication with you in respect to the humane treatment of animals and food safety.
Yours truly,
Wm. H. L. (Bill) desBarres, Chair Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada