Question Period Note: EXPORT OF LIVE HORSES FOR SLAUGHTER

Q1 - How is the Government of Canada addressing concerns which continue to be raised by animal welfare advocates?
Q2 - What is the size of the live horse export market for slaughter?
Q3 - What actions are being taken by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency with regards to the new report published by Animal Justice on March 11, 2026, regarding injuries and deaths of horses being exported to Japan for slaughter?

R1 - The Government of Canada is committed to the protection of animals in Canada and has a robust system of existing laws and regulations in place to ensure that animals are humanely treated during transport.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has worked with airlines and transporters to increase the number of direct flights used by exporters, leading to shorter transport times, and review contingency plans in place.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency posts all data currently available on horses that died or were seriously injured during air transport, up to the point of unloading in Japan, on the CFIA external website where it will continue to be updated annually: Regulatory oversight for live horse exports to Japan - inspection.canada.ca.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is reviewing the report issued by Animal Justice on March 11, 2026, as well as information received from foreign authorities to determine whether there is evidence of possible non-compliance with Canada's regulations.
R2 - According to Statistics Canada, 3,265 horses, valued at approximately $26 million, were exported for slaughter in 2024. All the exports were to Japan.
R3 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is currently reviewing the Animal Justice report.

The Health of Animals Regulations establish clear requirements related to animal fitness for travel, transport conditions, contingency planning, and maximum intervals without feed, water and rest. These requirements apply to all animals transported within Canada, and those entering or leaving Canada (including the export of horses). Every export shipment must also meet export requirements and comply with the import conditions which have been negotiated with Japan.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency requires reports from air transporters on serious and injuries deaths during their segment of the transport. Any information or issues arising after the air transport has been completed fall outside the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has strengthened its oversight by reinforcing air carrier reporting obligations and the contingency plan requirement once air transport is complete. Japan is proactively sharing information under its regulatory authority, including reports of deaths or serious injuries occurring during air transport and at Japanese quarantine stations This includes the number of deaths and serious injuries (defined as serious cases of injured horses that required veterinary examinations or ongoing observations) identified during the 10-day quarantine period in Japan.

Ihe Canadian Food Inspection Agency continues to analyse any new information that is provided by exporters, air carriers, and the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on these shipments.

Current policy for the live export of horses for slaughter
At present, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) does not have the authority to deny export shipments that are in compliance with the humane transport regulations and the requirements of the importing country.

Live horse exporters must comply with any applicable animal transport requirements of the Health of Animals Regulations. For example, CFIA veterinarians and inspectors verify that:
• the horses are fit for transport;
• the loading of horses into crates is completed in a manner that is not likely to cause the horse's suffering, injury or death;
• the combination of horses in each crate meets the requirements for compatibility and are not overcrowded;
• the transporter has a contingency plan in place that establishes measures that are to be taken to comply with the requirements of the Health of Animals Regulations;
• transport is scheduled to be completed within the maximum travel time that horses can go without feed, water and rest (28 hours); and
• CFIA veterinary inspectors are present for air shipments of horses to certify the export as required by the Health of Animals Act.

Animal Justice Findings from newly released report on March 11, 2026
At this time, the CFIA has not conducted a thorough review of the report and should not comment on any aspects specifically. The CFIA's jurisdiction applies only during air trans art

In addition, under the Health of Animals Regulations, exporter and air carriers must provide a report to the CFIA veterinary inspector at the port of embarkation about every animal that was seriously injured, died or was killed during transport by aircraft. Once the horses have arrived in Japan, the Japanese authorities are responsible for regulatory oversight.

The Agency has worked with the exporter§ and the air carrier§ to ensure regulatory requirements were understood. Regulated parties have provided an updated transport contingency plan including anticipated travel times and measures to be taken for unforeseen delays or circumstances. Exporters have also adjusted their shipping logistics to focus on direct flights to Japan and to complete transport withln the 28-hour maximum that horses can be without feed, water, and rest under the Health of Animals Regulations. With some longer export journeys, a feed, water and rest stop between ground and air transport in Canada has been instituted. Ground transport in Canada, air transport, and ground transport in Japan must be completed within 28 hours to comply with Canadian regulations. If horses are provided with the required feed, water and rest during their transport journey, then the 28-hour time would restart.

• Canada has strict regulations in place to protect animal welfare during transport, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency enforces these rules.
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials are present at the airport for every horse export shipment to verify that animals are fit to travel and that transport conditions meet Canadian requirements.
• The regulations set clear standards for animal fitness, transport conditions, contingency planning, and maximum intervals without feed. water and rest.
• Export shipments must meet both Canadian regulatory requirements and the import conditions agreed to with Japan.
• To further reduce risks, shipments now use direct flights to Japan, which shorten travel time and reduce the likelihood of injuries during transport.
• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency continues to analyse any new information provided by stakeholders and the Japanese government and will take action where necessary.