Ban on horse export for slaughter in legislative limbo

A private member's bill to ban export of horses for slaughter is all but dead, but those fighting the practice are not giving up.

A bill seeking to ban the export of horses for slaughter is currently stuck in limbo, with Canada’s Parliament prorogued.

Last year, roughly 2,500 horses—most from Alberta—were exported by air to Japan, where raw horse meat is considered a delicacy. The animals were slaughtered shortly after arrival.

Animal rights groups have spent over a decade lobbying to end the shipments, citing inhumane transport conditions.

Musician Jann Arden, a prominent advocate, says the practice is cruel.

“We’re taking Canadian horses, purpose-bred, and subjecting them to long, terrifying flights to feed a wealthy clientele halfway around the world,” she said.

“This is the antithesis of everything we’re supposed to do in a time of climate crisis—flying less, eating local and treating animals humanely.”

In 2023, a private member’s bill, C-355, sought to enforce a ban on the aerial slaughter horse exports.

However, the bill, which had reached its final legislative stage, was stalled when Parliament was prorogued in January.

Independent Senator Pierre Dalphond, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, says the shipments subject horses to cramped conditions without adequate food or water, causing undue stress.

“This practice comes at a high level of stress for the horses and exposes them to injuries and death,” he said.

“The legislative pathway is almost dead, but Canadians must put pressure on the prime minister and the minister of agriculture. It’s time to deliver on this promise.”

Dalphond also noted the ban was a campaign promise by the prime minister during the last election. He also says parliamentary tactics were used to delay the bill’s progress in the Senate.

“Conservative senators have not shown cooperation. There was a subtle filibuster, with critics delaying their speeches and dragging the process,” says Dalphond.

Advocates of the ban claim current horse transport monitoring and regulation are insufficient.

Statistics from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) report only five deaths during transit over seven years, but Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture reported 21 horses died in just one year, between May 2023 and June 2024.

Not everyone supports a ban. Bill desBarres, chair of the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada, disputes allegations of cruelty.

“We have a good reputation for the humane treatment of livestock shipped by air,” said DesBarres.

“The CFIA regulations ensure the animals are treated well. The horses are inspected and transported in compliance with those standards.”

According to Statistics Canada, live horse exports for slaughter generated $11 million in 2023.

However, critics argue the revenue is insignificant compared to the broader equine industry’s $8.7-billion contribution to Canada’s economy.

“This is nothing more than a cash grab,” Arden said. “The horses endure terrifying conditions, and for what? A niche market catering to wealthy individuals halfway around the world.”

Advocates like Sinikka Crosland of the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition vow to keep fighting.

“We are not giving up, absolutely not,” she said.

Both Arden and Crosland say Canadians should write to Minister of Agriculture Lawrence MacCaulay demanding he put in regulations banning the live air transport of horses to slaughter.

More information on the letter-writing campaigns can be found on Arden’s website and on the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition’s website.