Posted on 2010-03-14

Petitions to ban horse slaughter filed

575 signatures on petitions presented to MP Barry Devolin

NEWS BULLETIN MARCH 11, 2010

HORSE SLAUGHTER PETITIONS IN THE CITY OF KAWARTHA LAKES TABLED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON MARCH 4, 2010

Petitions to ban horse slaughter in Canada for human consumption filed with the Federal Clerk of the House by City of Kawartha Lakes (CoKL) MP Barry Devolin on December 10, 2009 have been tabled by the government on March 4, 2010. In May and September of last year, petitions signed by over 575 people were presented to Mr. Devolin. These petitions were available at various locations in the CoKL where local people signed to make their voices heard. In the last two years, over 200,000 horses have been slaughtered at one of six Canadian plants. About half of these horses are transported from the U.S. where horse slaughter is illegal and the meat is exported to Europe and Asia for human consumption. Amid growing concerns about drug toxins and contaminants in horsemeat, in April 2009, the European Union issued a directive, potentially banning the importation of horsemeat from third countries such as Canada. On January 31, 2010, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) responded to these directives, which include a new identification system and mandatory treatment records system for horses to take effect on July 31, 2010. The Equine Information Document (EID) is compulsory for anyone selling horses either directly or indirectly to Canadian meat processors; a list of banned medications and substances can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

To show your support for a ban on horse slaughter in Canada, contact Mr. Devolin at (705) 324-2400, toll free (866) 688-9881, or email DevolB@parl.gc.ca.

Further information on the horse slaughter industry in Canada and the possible outcome and risks of the CFIA EID can be obtained on the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition website.

Denise Lockhart, Bobcaygeon, Ontario

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