This still is from an Animal Justice video documenting its recent Japanese investigation.  |  Animal Justice/Screen capture

Horse-for-slaughter export fight moves to Japan

Animal rights group argues that delays on the Japanese side exceed the allowable time without food, rest and water

Glacier FarmMedia – Animal Justice has new weapons in its battle against the export of Canadian horses for slaughter. The animal rights advocacy group has collaborated with another animal protection group in Japan called the Life Investigation Agency (LIA). The focus of the collaboration is to document what happens to horses once they reach Japan. […] Read more

Conservative agriculture critic and Alberta Foothills MP John Barlow said some [people who raise horses for the overseas meat market] were harassed and bullied and wanted no part of the study, even though they could lose their livelihood if the bill is passed. | File photo

MP decries intimidation of House committee witnesses

Committee studying a bill to ban live horse export for slaughter had difficulty finding producers who would testify

REGINA — People who raise horses for the overseas meat market were afraid to testify before the standing agriculture committee during its recent study of a bill to ban the air export of live horses. Conservative agriculture critic and Alberta Foothills MP John Barlow said some were harassed and bullied and wanted no part of […] Read more

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association has said it does not support a private member’s bill that would ban the air transport of live horses for slaughter.  |  File photo

Ag committee passes bill to ban horse exports by air

Canada ships live horses mainly to Japan for slaughter, but the federal government has moved to ban the practice

REGINA — The House of Commons agriculture committee has passed a private member’s bill that would ban the air transport of live horses for slaughter. Bill C-355 now goes back to the House of Commons for third reading, and if passed there would then move to the Senate for more scrutiny. Related stories: Animal Justice […] Read more


Jennifer Woods specializes in animal welfare audits with a focus on transportation. After following horses exported to Japan she said standards are being met or exceeded.  |  Photo supplied by Jennifer Woods

Science versus emotion in horse export battle

A federal private member’s bill that aims to ban the air export of live horses for slaughter has some base ingredients for political success. The bill, C-355, was introduced by a Liberal MP, currently the governing party, and is backed by celebrity endorsements. At its centre is an animal that pulls at many Canadian heartstrings. […] Read more

Private member's Bill C-355 passed second reading in the House earlier this year after introduction by Liberal MP Tim Louis. | File photo

Bill to ban flights for live horses now in committee

MEDICINE HAT — A bill to ban the transport by air of live horses for slaughter is making its way through Parliament and is now under review by the agriculture committee. Private member’s Bill C-355 passed second reading in the House earlier this year after introduction by Liberal MP Tim Louis. “I bring forth this […] Read more


Private members Bill C-355 has been working its way through Parliament since introduction in September 2023. It would prohibit export of horses for the purposes of slaughter and carry fines of up to $250,000 or two years in prison for violators. | File photo

MPs consider live horse export ban for slaughter

Canadian Food Inspection Agency says mortality rate of live horse shipments has been 0.011 percent over the past decade

MEDICINE HAT — A bill that would ban the transport of live horses by air for slaughter will go to the federal agriculture committee after passing second reading in the House of Commons in late January. Private members Bill C-355 has been working its way through Parliament since introduction in September 2023. It would prohibit […] Read more