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e-3187 (Animals)

E-petition
Initiated by H. Sinikka Crosland from Salmon Arm, British Columbia

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled

Whereas:
  • Large draft horses over 17 hands high are air-shipped annually from Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg airports to Japan for human consumption;
  • Three to four horses are loaded into crates smaller than a single horse stall;
  • Numerous horses in these crates lack sufficient head clearance, with ears protruding through crate roofs;
  • Flights are 10.5 to 13.5 hours long, with additional hours spent for ground transportation and the loading and unloading process;
  • During this time, horses have no access to food, water or rest;
  • Deaths and injuries occur on these flights, as well as broken crates and one known incident of damage to aircraft fuselage;
  • Horses air-shipped to Japan for human consumption are usually purpose-bred in Canada;
  • Their well-being can be compromised due to lack of veterinary and farrier care and withholding of drugs prohibited from the human food chain;
  • Scientific evidence shows that horses suffer physically and psychologically during long-distance transport and during loading and unloading;
  • Canadian animal welfare laws have no jurisdiction over the treatment of these horses when they reach Japan;
  • A 2019 Nanos poll revealed that 69% of Canadian respondents are opposed to the slaughter of horses for human consumption; and
  • Public awareness about this issue is increasing, with media interest and celebrity involvement.
We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to stop air shipments of horses exported for human consumption, due to ongoing animal welfare concerns inherent in this practice.
Open for signature
February 18, 2021, at 6:23 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
June 18, 2021, at 6:23 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith (Beaches—East York)
June 22, 2021 (Petition No. 432-01199)
Photo - Nathaniel Erskine-Smith
Beaches—East York
Liberal Caucus
Ontario