2010 was another year of wins and losses for the horses, and the CHDC was there again helping to gain political support, circulate reports and information, promote networking, and expose the exploiters of our horses.
January
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) advised affected countries including Canada, of the Meat Hygiene Directive and the Equine Identification Document (EID) programs that are the first step in the development of a comprehensive food safety and traceability program for the Canadian equine industry. Anyone selling equines are advised they may have to provide an EID at ownership transfer, if those equines are destined to slaughter and the human food chain. A list of medications and substances that are prohibited from being given (administered or fed) to equines intended to be slaughtered for human consumption are listed:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/meavia/man/ch17/annexee.shtml#e5.
The CHDC joined U.S. based Equine Welfare Alliance (EWA) in a news release announcing the CFIA’s plans for compliance to the European Union (EU) Rules, http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/meavia/man/ch17/annexee.shtml: New Canadian Regulations will Curtail Slaughter of North American Horses:
http://www.equinewelfarealliance.org/uploads/CFIA___EU_Regs-FINAL.pdf. People watched and waited to see how this program would play out in the horse community in general, as well as within the horse slaughter industry.
February
In an early positive development in the year, we see that shortly after the Meat Hygiene Directive program began, Norval Meats in Ontario had a suspicious fire and shut down operations: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=2459454. As of December 2010, the plant remains closed.
The CHDC released, Horses and Double Decker Trailers: http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/pdf/doubledeckerdoc.pdf, a document illustrating that shipping horses (typically to slaughter) on double deckers results in injuries due to inadequate head room, and therefore contravenes Canada’s Health of Animals Act, Section 142, Health of Animals Regulations: No person shall transport or cause to be transported animals in a railway car, motor vehicle, aircraft or vessel unless (a) each animal is able to stand in its natural position without coming into contact with a deck or roof. Readers were reminded that the CFIA has spoken of changes to the double decker rule since before 2000, yet these dangerous trailers continue to be used to transport horses to slaughter in Canada.
March
In late February 2010, the CHDC received hidden camera footage of horse slaughter practices at Viande Richelieu in Quebec and Bouvry Exports in Alberta – the latter known as the largest exporter of horsemeat in North America. The evidence provided compelling proof that puts into question the effectiveness of the assembly-line slaughter of horses. The evidence demonstrated that both the facilities in Alberta and Quebec fail to meet humane slaughter standards used by the CFIA to audit Canadian slaughterhouses. The CHDC released its report, Chambers of Carnage: http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/ChambersofCarnage.html.
CHDC and EWA released a paper on how Canada plans to comply with the new EU regulations for countries exporting horse meat to Europe , What the New European Union Requirements for Imported Equine Meat Will Mean to North America’s Horse Industry: http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/pdf/finaldisc100314.pdf. The paper raised questions and concerns on the viability of the entire EU directive and Canada’s plans to comply.
Throughout the year, EWA provided continued reports and news from the U.S.:
http://www.equinewelfarealliance.org/Press_Releases.html, including news on the continuing struggle to maintain habitat for wild mustangs, news and opinions on the U.S. pro-slaughter movement, and an announcement of the key study, Association of phenylbutazone usage with horses bought for slaughter:
A public health risk: http://www.equinewelfarealliance.org/uploads/Drug_Manuscript_FINAL.pdf.
April
After reviewing footage from Bouvry and Richelieu slaughter plants, as well as Natural Valley Farms from 2008, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) and the BC SPCA published, Report on Horse Slaughter Practices in Canada: http://cfhs.ca/info/reports/ and determined that all 3 plants fail industry accepted audit criteria for wilfull acts of abuse, slipping, ineffective stuns, bleed rail sensibility and vocalization.
May
CBC’s The National helped expose the substandard conditions (see Chambers of Carnage) at Bouvry and Richelieu Meats on No Country for Horses:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/05/17/f-horse-slaughter.html. Canadians and people world-wide were again sickened at the unprofessional handling and killing of horses, and the suffering they endure. The footage revealed that, similarly to conditions in 2008 at Natural Valley Farms, unacceptable conditions continue to exist in Canadian horse slaughterhouses.
The CHDC released a report on Canada’s horse federations’ link to the U.S. pro-slaughter movement, What You Didn’t Know About Canada’s Horse Federations: http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/pdf/didyouknow.pdf. Canadians were asked to question the motives of Canada’s equine governing bodies.
Despite an investigation by the CFIA and RCMP, it was decided that no criminal charges of animal cruelty would be laid against Bouvry Exports or its workers: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2010/05/11/fort-macleod-horse-slaughterhouse-rcmp-charges-calgary.html. Similarly, but not surprisingly, no animal cruelty charges came about in Quebec against Richelieu Meats.
The CHDC Blog was launched: https://canadianhorsedefencecoalition.wordpress.com. News and commentary provide further insight into happenings in the horse community and around the anti-slaughter movement.
The AQHA’s America’s Horse Daily reported that the AQHA has spent nearly $1 million in lobbying efforts since 2005, to fight the passage of anti-slaughter legislation to protect horses. HR 503 and SB 727 are Bills proposing to criminalize the transportation of horses to slaughter for human consumption: http://americashorsedaily.com/behind-the-scenes/. This news did not sit well with many in the horse world.
June
In a follow up report to Chambers of Carnage, the CBC revealed that CFIA inspectors were asked to break their own rules at Bouvry and Richelieu slaughterhouses, since inspectors’ lives were at risk to be present on the kill floor with firearms being discharged. The CFIA had previously advised that inspectors were always present to oversee humane killing, but they had to do some heavy back-peddling when it was revealed that inspectors had not been present to ensure that humane killing practices were being carried out:
http://www.cbc.ca/thenational/indepthanalysis/story/2009/10/01/national-horses-061008.html.
In an historical first, on June 16, 2010, a Private Member’s Bill to ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption was tabled in Canadian Parliament by MP Alex Atamanenko (NDP Agriculture Critic): http://alexatamanenko.ndp.ca/node/511. Bill C-544, “An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act and the Meat Inspection Act” (slaughter of horses for human consumption). The basis of the bill is the fact that horses are not food-producing animals and many are treated with drugs that are prohibited from entering the human food chain.
The CHDC called for a thorough performance review of the CFIA, while questioning their management role in the monitoring and enforcement of equine slaughterhouses. Serious animal welfare concerns and potential dangers of horsemeat consumption were addressed at the Ottawa press conference, with MP Alex Atamanenko, Dr. Debi Zimmermann and Dr. Ray Kellosalmi in attendance. Nikolas Gour of Humane Society International also attended, along with Sinikka Crosland and Twyla Francois of the CHDC. The CFIA was confronted on breaking their own rules after slaughter house investigations expose systemic cruelty and improper stunning practices at Bouvry and Richelieu slaughter plants: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2010/07/c2642.html.
The Western Producer revealed the CFIA finally admitted that the slaughterhouse footage obtained by the CHDC in March is authentic in Animal Abuse Confirmed:
http://www.producer.com/Livestock/Article.aspx?aid=24259.
Liberal Agriculture Critic Wayne Easter and Public Safety & National Security Critic Mark Holland wrote a joint letter to the Auditor General, Sheila Fraser, requesting that she conduct an audit into the CFIA with regard to the agency’s performance enforcing Canadian laws and regulations on the transport of farm animals destined for slaughter and entry into the food system:
http://markholland.liberal.ca/release/liberals-holland-easter-ask-for-audit-into-cfia%E2%80%99s-farm-animal-transport-inspection-regime/. Subsequently, the CFHS asks Canadians to write to the Auditor General to Take action: help call government to task on lax enforcement of livestock rules:
July
The CHDC sent updates to its members to continue the momentum of support for Bill C-544: https://canadianhorsedefencecoalition.wordpress.com/2010/07/21/bill-c-544-update/.
The CHDC’s Twyla Francois was featured on Global TV’s investigative report, Revealed: No Country for Animals: http://www.globalwinnipeg.com/Revealed+Country+Animals/3336734/story.html. The program examined Canada ’s deplorable record on animal welfare and looks at the people who are fighting to bring about much-needed change.
August
The Western Producer reported that new regulations requiring horses destined for slaughter to have paperwork documenting illnesses and medication for the previous six months (EID program) have created confusion at auction markets: http://www.producer.com/Search/Article.aspx?aid=25375. CHDC members and many people observing at auctions Canada-wide, agree that confusion is prevalent at rural auctions, where a lack of knowledge and understanding of the entire EU program has been observed.
Meantime, another Western Producer article provided a disturbing view into the world of horse breeders who unknowingly are significant contributors to the horse slaughter situation in Horse Breeding Industry Faces Crisis: http://www.producer.com/Search/Article.aspx?aid=25441.
September
CHDC sent an update to members on the progress of Bill C-544. It was announced that the Town of Marathon, Ontario unanimously passed a resolution in support of Bill C-544. Diligent followers collected thousands of signatures across Canada supporting the anti-slaughter bill.
Humane Society International (HSI) continued being instrumental in gathering signatures for the bill: http://www.hsi.org/world/canada/news/news/2010/10/horse_slaughter_102210.html and asked people to take action: http://www.hsi.org/issues/horse_slaughter/tips/action_for_horses.html. Two petitions for Bill C-544 were tabled in Parliament.
October
The Ottawa Animal Defence League organized a Canada-wide protest against horse slaughter, which was well attended and covered by media across the country. Rallies took place at horse slaughter plants Bouvry Exports in AB and Richelieu Meats in QC, at restaurants in Toronto known for serving horsemeat, as well as other similar locations across the country: https://canadianhorsedefencecoalition.wordpress.com/2010/11/12/october-4th-2010-anti-horse-slaughter-protests-garner-much-media-coverage/.
HSI announced they have collected more than 12,000 signatures supporting Bill C-544:
http://www.hsi.org/world/canada/news/news/2010/10/horse_slaughter_102210.html and reminded supporters to Take Action: http://www.hsi.org/issues/horse_slaughter/tips/action_for_horses.html.
In an impressive show of support, Vancouver East NDP MP Libby Davies, tabled a petition with 1,700 signatures gathered by a diligent horse welfare advocate.
The CHDC had been advised in April 2010 of a horse held by its owner in her home’s garage, in a Toronto suburb. Finally in October, after months of photos and reports on poor conditions for the stallion Appalachian Chief, we decided it was in the horse’s best interest to report on our blog on the lack of OSPCA action to help this stallion in OSPCA Fails a Champion: https://canadianhorsedefencecoalition.wordpress.com/2010/10/20/ospca-fails-a-champion/. We learned in November that Chief was moved by his owner to an undisclosed location, and people remain concerned with this horse’s health. As well, this stallion represents many more horses and other farm animals that are not protected adequately by the OSPCA. Meantime, Ontario MPP Frank Klees continued his initiative throughout the year, questioning the viability of the OSPCA: How can this government justify blindly supporting the existing structure of the OSPCA and knowing that it is incapable of carrying out its mandated responsibilities?: http://www.frank-klees.on.ca/Newsroom/OSPCAstayMay11_2010.htm.
News reports on October 18th revealed that a double decker trailer of slaughter bound horses that left a well known Lindsay, Ontario feedlot, were involved in a deadly traffic accident shortly after leaving Lindsay. Six horses were reported killed in the crash. The truck driver was not injured, but the driver of the car involved was air lifted to Toronto for his injuries: http://www.thepost.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2811595.
One year later, after Liberal MP Alexandra Mendes introduced Bill 468 – A bill to reduce transport times for farm animals, the bill continued to languish in Parliament after first reading in October 2009: http://alexandramendes.liberal.ca/en/animal-transport/. Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals (CCFA) asked Canadians to take action and help gain support for Bill 468: http://humanefood.ca/mpcontact.html.
November
On a very positive note, 17 petitions for Bill C-544 were tabled in Parliament in November.
In continuing damaging news against the CFIA, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz conceded that no audit of meat plant inspectors was ever done: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/audit+meat+plant+inspectors+done+Ritz/3850358/story.html.
December
Private Members’ Bill C-474, which passed first reading in April 2010, was first introduced by NDP Agriculture Critic Alex Atamanenko in 2009. It proposes to amend the Seeds Regulations to require that analysis of potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of any new genetically engineered seed is permitted, since genetically modified seeds have not been proven to be safe for human or animal consumption. On December 1st in the House of Commons, the NDP secured a new 5-hour debate on Bill C-474 and the impacts of genetic engineering for early in 2011. To show your support for this Bill also introduced by MP Atamanenko, you can take action here: http://www.cban.ca/Take-Action/Act-Now.
On December 10th, the CHDC reported that Bouvry Exports in AB had closed operations due to sanitation reasons: http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/AlbertaHorseSlaughterPlantClosedforSanitationReasons.html.
The CHDC was also advised that a European Union audit was carried out at Bouvry Exports at the end of November, however this information could not be verified. Investigation findings indicate that slaughter operations have once again resumed at Bouvry.
In an interesting development in the U.S., pro-slaughter advocate, Wyoming H.R. State Representative Sue Wallis faces ethics and fraud allegations: http://animals.change.org/blog/view/wyoming_legislator_faces_ethics_and_fraud_allegations_over_horse_slaughter_plans in a complaint filed by a resident of Cody, Wyoming: http://equinewelfarealliance.org/uploads/Complaint.request_for_investigation.Wallis.pdf. The timing of this complaint thwarts media and horse community attention that Ms. Wallis was attempting to garner around her pro horse slaughter summit in Las Vegas in January 2011. Meantime, presenter Dr. Temple Grandin has asked that her name not be linked to pre-publicity for this controversial gathering: http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/5553.
The momentum continued in Canadian Parliament for Bill C-544, with 16 petitions tabled in Parliament, and another 10 filed awaiting official tabling in the new year. Some MPs read multiple petitions. In total, 15 petitions were tabled by Conservative members, 13 petitions by NDP members, and 7 by Liberal members. Here is a link to the House of Commons Chamber Business Calendar where daily details are provided:
The bill now sits in the House of Commons waiting to be seconded by another MP.
We wish to sincerely thank all the dedicated Canadians who have worked so hard to help put Bill C-544 at the forefront of Parliament in the final months of 2010. The thousands of signatures presented have been successful in keeping Bill C-544 prominent, and we now must continue into 2011 with our efforts. Our original December 2010 deadline is extended indefinitely – as long as the current (40th) Parliament remains in session.
As 2011 progresses, we will be approaching MPs who have been favourable towards the bill, and ones who have presented petitions from their constituents. There is still work ahead of us, but the collective efforts of horse supporters country-wide continue to drive us forward!
On behalf of all Directors at the CHDC, I wish everyone a Happy New Year, and continued resolve to help bring horse slaughter to an end in Canada. Watch for more news and reports in the coming months.
For the horses,
Sinikka Crosland
Canadian Horse Defence Coalition
https://canadianhorsedefencecoalition.wordpress.com/
Canadian Horse Defence Coalition's Blog 