MONTREAL (February 6, 2019) – A coalition of animal protection organizations, experts and Members of Parliament have issued an open letter to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, urging the government to strengthen regulations pertaining to the domestic transportation of animals. The coalition is comprised of humane societies, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals and other animal advocates, all of whom wish to see these regulations – last updated in 1977 – improved swiftly and significantly.
Humane Society International/Canada, along with 29 other animal protection agencies and advocates, is calling for the new regulations to be based on scientific evidence and international best practices, including standards established by the World Organisation for Animal Health. The open letter also recommends that said regulations outline clear, specific and measurable welfare requirements for the animal agriculture industry. Canada must take this opportunity to be a leader, rather than a laggard, in animal care.
WHO: HSI/Canada, Montreal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Humane Canada, Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals, Animal Justice, Mercy For Animals, Vancouver Humane Society, Edmonton Humane Society, Winnipeg Humane Society, Canadians for Ethical Treatment of Farmed Animals, Animal Alliance of Canada, Animal Protection Party of Canada, Canadians Against Live Export – YYC, Canadian Horse Defence Coalition, Born Free USA, Voice For Animals, Foundation of Animal Welfare Issues, The Save Movement, Toronto Pig Save, Toronto Chicken Save, Toronto Cow Save, Edmonton Animal Save, The Responsible Animal Care Society (TRACS), Elizabeth May, M.P. and Leader of the Green Party of Canada, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, M.P., Dr. Maureen Harper, Dr. Judith Samson-French, Dr. Moira Drosdovech, Dr. Michael Lavroff, Dr. Jean-Jacques Kona-Boun
WHAT: An open letter to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, requesting urgent improvements to the Health of Animals Regulations (Humane Transportation).
WHERE: The open letter is available here.
WHEN: The letter was issued February 6, 2019.
WHY: Current regulations allow animals to be transported for up to three days without food, water or rest, or adequate protection from inclement weather. The result is that approximately 14 million farm animals arrive dead, dying or injured at federally inspected slaughterhouses each year. Consumers are increasingly concerned about where their food comes from and the conditions in which farm animals are raised.
