Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


CFIA limits ports of entry for slaughter-bound horses

Thursday, November 3, 2011

by KAREN BRIGGS

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced that, effective January 1, 2012, shipments of American horses destined for Canadian abbatoirs may enter Canada only at one of eight designated border crossings, three of which are in Ontario.

The ports of entry at Windsor, Sarnia, and Niagara Falls/Queenston will henceforth be the only Ontario crossings which will accept slaughter-bound horses. 

Horses being transported across the border for the purpose of racing, showing, or breeding will not be affected and may enter the country at any border crossing.
The three designated border crossings are staffed by CFIA veterinarians and have appropriate unloading facilities.  Slaughter-bound shipments will be accepted only during the CFIA’s regular hours of operation, and transporters will be required to arrange an appointment for inspection of the animals at least 24 hours before arrival.
Since 2007, there have been no operational slaughterhouses in the United States which process horse meat.  American horses designated for slaughter are now shipped either to Mexico, or to Canada, where four abbatoirs – two in Quebec, and two in Alberta – currently process horse meat. 

Norval Meats, the only facility in Ontario to accept equines in recent years, officially closed in March 2011.

Lisa Gauthier, of CFIA’s Media Relations department, explained the changes.  “The Government of Canada takes the humane treatment of animals seriously and has been taking steps to enforce the regulations for the humane transportation and slaughter of animals.

“These new measures are being taken to enhance the CFIA’s ability to verify compliance with the humane transport provisions of the Health of Animals Regulations.

“Humane transport issues have been identified in this industry.”

In addition, Gauthier said, the CFIA has determined that not all of the border crossings had facilities appropriate for unloading horses, and/or veterinary staff available for inspections. BF



 

Current Issue

March 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Farmer Planting Decisions for 2025 Taking Shape

Thursday, March 13, 2025

As farmers across Canada prepare for the 2025 crop year, Statistics Canada says their planting decisions reflect a complex mix of factors including moisture conditions, crop rotation considerations, and market prices. Nationally, farmers are expected to plant more wheat, corn for... Read this article online

Grain Growers of Sounding the Alarm Over U.S. Tariffs

Monday, March 10, 2025

Not surprisingly, the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is raising concerns over the United States' decision to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian grain and grain products, a move that could jeopardize the livelihoods of family-run grain farms and lead to higher food prices for American... Read this article online

International Women’s Day – Angela Cammaert

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

As International Women’s Day approaches on March 8, Farms.com is asking women in ag about what they’d tell their younger selves about being a farmer, to give a piece of advice to young women entering the ag sector, and to highlight a woman in agriculture they consider a mentor or... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top