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Canada Fights Horse Slaughter Business

Posted by on April 12, 2014

Equine Canada – Slaughter Promoters?

cropped-grof-feedlot1.jpgIn 2010, Equine Canada released a study on the horse industry in Canada.  Some facts that came out of it are that the live horse industry contributes 375,248 full-time jobs to the economy and the total capital investment in the pleasure riding sector generates$3,727,568,223 to the economy, much more than the minute $90 Million that the slaughter industry generates for a small number of interests.

Also from the Equine Canada 2010 report: Canadian horse owners incur more than $6.5 Billion annually in expenses to maintain their horse operations which is spent supporting other local and national businesses.  More than $4.8 Billion is represented by unpaid labour provided by horse owners, or family members for the care of their horses.

Once a horse is slaughtered then that horse is gone, support for his care no longer contributes to the economy.

In the last debate on March 31st, one MP said that passage of C-571 could cost 600 jobs.  This is not true.  Each slaughter plant is licensed to kill multi-species.  They will turn back to killing beef and other species.  Despite this,  Equine Canada relies on the debunked GAO report to support it’s erroneous conclusions about horse slaughter.  Despite being first and foremost,  an organization to promote horse sport,  they have put themselves into the position of “slaughter apologist” to CHDC’s supporters. 

A staunch supporter of the CHDC recently wrote to Equine Canada about their stance on horse slaughter.  Below is the response from EC and what the horse supporter wrote back:

logoFrom: marbour@equinecanada.ca
To:
Subject: Equine Canada
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2014 19:34:48 +0000

Dear :

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to express your thoughts and opinions on this very important topic with us. I am responding on behalf of Mr. Patterson who is currently travelling. While we do respect our members’ rights to hold differing views, as the national organization representing all sectors of the industry, we must endeavor to take a more global position for the well-being of the industry.

We understand and respect that horse owners have their own personal choices and values to address when the end stages arrive for their horses.  This is why we are implementing an Equine Lifecycle Management Policy — as developed by our national Health and Welfare Committee which is comprised of some of Canada’s leading equine veterinarians — it will assist our industry in maximizing the horse’s quality of life and death in Canada. It can be found on our web site here.

We have been and will continue to advocate for humane handling of horses as they enter the processing system.  We too have been dismayed to learn of incidents and handling procedures that are frightening and sometimes harmful to horses.  This is why we have been involved in developing training programs with the Canadian government, processors and the renowned Dr. Temple Grandin; several of our members represented Equine Canada at these training sessions, and we continue to advocate for proper oversight and staff training.

The reasons we are advocating for the classification of horses as livestock are for the very reasons you state – the taxes our industry pays on feed, bedding and other staples to maintain our horses places a financial burden on owners, already burdened by increased input costs and an oversupply in the marketplace. Unlike owners of cows, chicken and pigs, which are classified as livestock, we pay GST on inputs, these owners do not.

Classifying horses as livestock will, or we believe should accelerate the introduction of a traceability system for our horses. Although conscientious owners such as your self do keep up to date medical records, many do not, and as we know, horses can change ownership several times over in their lifetimes.

In terms of the influx of horses from the United States, we hold that this has been detrimental to our industry in several ways.  Whether this has come about from the closure of processing plants in that country, or as a result of the severe economic downturn a few years ago, the ‘flood of horses’ has served to dramatically drop horses prices in this country. We receive expressions of concern from across the country as people see the bottom drop out of their businesses.

Our industry is a complex one, filled with many views, many struggles, triumphs and passion. We appreciate and support your involvement and hope that you can understand our position on these matters.

 

Respectfully

Michael Arbour, CMAChief Financial OfficerDirecteur financiermarbour@equinecanada.ca
Tel / Tél : 613.287.1515 x 108Fax / Télec : 613.248.3484Toll Free / Sans frais : 1.866.282.8395 100–308 promenade Legget DriveOttawa, Ontario, Canada  K2K 1Y6www.equinecanada.ca

From:
To: marbour@equinecanada.ca
Subject: RE: Equine Canada
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2014 14:27:26 -0600

Mr. Arbour, what are you talking about?  “You must take a more global position for the well-being of the industry.”  The only “industry” you have talked about in your letter is the slaughter industry.

Equine Canada’s role is to promote equestrianism…FULL STOP.  Shoveling horses into the Davidson Img 3slaughter pipeline in no way, shape or form, promotes equestrianism.  Instead of trying to kill them in the most horrendously cruel and inhumane way possible, why don’t you instead, require your membership to contribute to an “insurance program” for the humane euthanasia of all horses in Canada.  THAT would promote equestrianism.  THAT would be humane.  THAT would ensure that no horse in Canada suffer, be terrorized, or be tortured at the hands of a money grubbing Government.  This would also stop the over-breeding of all horses if each owner had to contribute accordingly, and could be easily instituted and would be welcomed by at least 80% of the population, because seriously, there is no way in hell you are going to make a traceability system fly in this country.  As stated previously 80% of Canadians are opposed to horse slaughter.

Equine Canada has sold out to Big-Ag and a money-grubbing Government.  You should be deeply ashamed, but I’m pretty sure you aren’t.

No horse slaughter in Canada Mr. Arbour.  If Equine Canada refuses to do what it is supposed to do, then you can expect a fight.

I will continue to encourage equestrians to hand in their memberships to all Provincial (pro-slaughter) organizations.  I will continue to fight to ban horse slaughter in this country.

Equine Canada is a traitor and has no business representing the true equestrians in this country.

 

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