WINNIPEG—A shocking new report from Animal Justice uncovers multiple horse deaths linked to air exports from Canada to Japan for slaughter, directly contradicting records from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Earlier this year, a CFIA representative told a House of Commons committee that the Agency was aware of only five horse deaths related to air shipments since 2013. However, as outlined in the new report, Japanese government records obtained by Life Investigation Agency (LIA) show that many horses have in fact died as a result of their terrifying and arduous journey— 21 over a one year period alone.
After arriving in Japan, horses exported for slaughter are dying of dehydration, stress, pneumonia, and other medical conditions. Japanese government data even shows that some mares have died shortly after arrival due to miscarriage.
“These records show the deplorable reality of Canada’s horse export-for-slaughter industry,” said Kaitlyn Mitchell, director of legal advocacy at Animal Justice. “This reality is in stark contrast to the claims of industry, as well as official CFIA records. Horses are regularly dying and suffering from illness and injuries due to the conditions in which they’re shipped overseas for slaughter.”
“The Japanese government should immediately ban acts that violate the welfare of animals. Unfortunately, we can’t expect much from Japan because people’s awareness of animal welfare is very low. As the reality of horses being transported to Japan comes to light, I strongly urge the Canadian government and people to immediately ban such practices,” said Ren Yabuki, director of LIA.
Earlier this year, Animal Justice partnered with LIA to document what happens after the cruel flights routinely originating from Winnipeg and Edmonton touch down in Japan, finding that these shipments frequently exceed the federally mandated 28-hour time limit for the grueling journey.
“This industry cannot be trusted – they have misled the government and the Canadian public about how many of these flights go over the 28-hour legal limit as well as how many horses are suffering and dying during transport,” Ms. Mitchell said. “It has been nearly three years since the government promised to ban horse exports for slaughter, yet horses continue to be needlessly shipped overseas. Every one of the deaths and injuries highlighted in our report could have been prevented if the Minister had acted quickly to make good on that promise. The least we can do for these horses is to finally ban this cruel practice once and for all.”
Bill C-355, which would ban the air export of Canadian horses for slaughter, cleared the House of Commons earlier this year and is now in the hands of the Senate.
Once in Japan, the horses who survive the journey are fattened up, and then slaughtered and served raw as sashimi, a delicacy for the wealthy.
Read the full report here.
Contact:
Josh Lynn
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
Kaitlyn Mitchell
Director of Legal Advocacy
[email protected]
