Common Questions and Answers on the Humane Transport Regulations for the Equine Sector
The intent of this Q & A document is to provide short answers to some common questions and act as a stepping stone to direct readers to the relevant parts of the published interpretive guidance (IG) document on CFIA’s website.
Regulated parties are encouraged to refer to their industry guidelines and to follow their veterinarians’ advice to ensure the best animal welfare practices during all phases of animal transport.
When interpreting Part XII of the Health of Animals Regulations (HAR) - Transport of Animals, consider the intent of the regulation which is to minimize animal suffering due to the process of transportation whether due to inexperience, negligence, lack of planning, improper use of equipment or improper handling. Also keep in mind that several provisions can apply in a given situation, their combined meaning needs to be considered as well as the animal welfare outcome.
These other sources also provide relevant and valuable information:
NFACC Codes of practice for Equines (https://www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/equine)
National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farm Animals: Transportation (referred to as the "Transport Code") and is currently under revision.
World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code Animal Welfare, Section 7, internationally recognized guidelines on the transport of terrestrial animals by sea, land and air in chapters 7.2-7.4