Posted on 2007-04-28

More Meat Industry Propaganda

Canadian government's rhetoric endorses horse slaughter

The following response to a letter writer from the office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, is a clear example of industry-driven rhetoric that does not represent the views of most Canadians, nor does it support the welfare of horses. Please take a moment to point out the following to Mr. Strahl:

a.. An Ipsos-Reid poll conducted in May 2004 revealed that two-thirds (64%) of Canadians do not believe in the slaughter of horses for human consumption. It is in fact the Canadian Department of Agriculture and the horse slaughter industry acting together that accepts the slaughter of horses for human consumption. The majority of Canadian citizens do not accept it. The Department of Agriculture and the meat industry do not represent the views of the majority of Canadians.

b.. Horse slaughter is not humane. Please direct Mr. Strahl to the following link: http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000528 . The footage available on this webpage shows the reality of horse slaughter compared to humane euthanasia performed by a qualified professional. Mr. Strahl's contact information can be found beneath the letter below:

On behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, I wish to thank you for your email regarding the slaughter of horses for human consumption. The Minister appreciates receiving your comments and has asked me to convey to you the following information.

The Minister understands your position, and he appreciates that some people have difficulty with the slaughter of horses and the consumption of horsemeat. However, Canada accepts the use of horses for many purposes, including slaughter for human consumption. In Canada, horses are classified as livestock under the Health of Animals Regulations. Under these regulations, the slaughter of all species emphasizes the humane treatment of the animals with a minimum of distress or pain. Canada has comprehensive regulations for the transportation and slaughter of horses, and these regulations are enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Regarding your concerns that meat from horses-animals that are regularly medicated-is toxic, please be aware that the CFIA has a surveillance program under which all meat and meat products for human consumption are tested for antibiotic and hormonal residues. Meat and meat products with residue levels below the set limits are considered safe for human consumption. These levels are established by Health Canada and based on scientific research to clearly determine safe levels for human consumption. Canada has a high compliance rate with respect to residues of medications as demonstrated by the CFIA's sampling and testing program.

Canada's trade partners have their own import requirements and testing methods for determining residue levels, and they would not allow importation of meat and meat products that contain residues beyond the levels that they have deemed acceptable.

Again, thank you for bringing your concerns to the Minister's attention.

Sincerely,
Donald Boucher
Acting Policy Advisor


Contact information for the Hon. Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food:
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Phone: (613) 992-2940
Fax: (613) 944-9376
E-mail: ottawa@chuckstrahl.com

Thanks for taking action for the horses!

"Help us lead Canada's horses away from barbarism . .
and into the protected pastures of a civilized nation."