Anti-Horse Slaughtering Bill Allows Exceptions

A British Columbia MP has introduced a revised bill addressing horse slaughtering in Canada, allowing exceptions under strict conditions. The bill aims to ensure health and safety compliance for horses raised for human consumption.

Alex Atamanenko, a British Columbia MP, has reworked his private member’s bill, which initially aimed to ban horse slaughtering in Canada. The original bill faced challenges in gaining the necessary votes in the House of Commons.

The new bill permits the slaughter of horses that are specifically raised for human consumption, provided they come with a complete lifetime medical history. Atamanenko highlights that current slaughter operations source horses from auction houses across Canada and the U.S., which may not adhere to the health and safety regulations required for other food animals.

The European Union is Canada's primary market for horsemeat. Atamanenko believes that EU pressure led the federal government to introduce an Equine Identity Document System, linking a horse to its medical history for the six months leading up to slaughter. However, he argues that this system is inadequate and contains numerous loopholes.

Atamanenko's new bill, C-571, aims to effectively exclude the general population of horses from being considered eligible as food animals.

Originally Posted By Blackburn News