Horses flown from Canada to Japan for slaughter proceed to get sick, get injured and even die, in accordance with a brand new investigation by animal rights advocates.
The report, compiled by Animal Justice in partnership with the Japan-based Life Investigation Company (LIA), used knowledge from paperwork supplied by the LIA and Canadian Horse Defence Coalition.
It examined knowledge from 2024-25 that it says comes from the federal government of Japan, obtained via entry to data requests.
International Information has not independently verified the information, however has contacted Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The report consists of information from 18 shipments of horses from Edmonton and Winnipeg to Japan, with roughly 1,822 horses on board in whole.
From September 2024 to September 2025, the information confirmed a minimum of 9 horses died on account of transportation to Japan for slaughter.
“I want I might say I used to be stunned, however I wasn’t; we’ve seen this earlier than,” stated Kaitlyn Mitchell, director of authorized advocacy for Animal Justice. “No person is looking for these horses.”
Horses are exported by cargo jet from Canada to Japan yearly, the place they’re slaughtered for human consumption, in accordance with the Winnipeg Humane Society.
But the report famous none of those deaths are discovered within the Canadian Meals Inspection Company’s information.
The CFIA’s web site exhibits that between July 2024 and June 2025, there were zero deaths and nil accidents amongst horses shipped to Japan.
In response, the CFIA stated it has strengthened oversight since earlier issues about reside horse exports to Japan, together with working with airways to make sure they’ve a contingency plan and reinforcing their obligation to report animal deaths or critical accidents “as quickly as doable.”
The company famous its jurisdiction solely applies to compliance with Canadian rules.
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“As soon as horses go away Canada, the Company’s authorized authority is extraordinarily restricted. The CFIA doesn’t have jurisdiction over animals as soon as they’re unloaded abroad and can’t implement Canadian rules outdoors of Canada,” the assertion stated.
The CFIA stated it might probably solely take motion in “two particular areas” after departure from Canada: if data exhibits air transport took greater than the utmost 28 hours allowed, and if the air provider fails to report deaths or critical accidents “as quickly as doable” after arrival.
“The Company is reviewing the knowledge referenced in a current report, together with data acquired from international authorities, to find out whether or not there may be proof of doable non-compliance with Canada’s rules, recognizing that Canada’s authority ends as soon as animals go away Canadian jurisdiction,” the CFIA added.
In response to the report, greater than 290 horses have been injured or suffered sicknesses after arriving in Japan. Among the many instances, horses had excessive fevers, bleeding lacerations or extreme leg accidents, and a few had lacking hooves or elements of ears.
Animal Justice stated a minimum of 5 shipments additionally appeared to exceed Canada’s 28-hour authorized restrict for transporting horses with out meals, water or relaxation.
It’s why animal rights teams are urging Canada to resume plans to ban the exporting of horses by air.
Such a promise was made within the Liberal get together’s 2023 election marketing campaign, and in the identical yr, a personal member’s invoice was put ahead by Liberal MP Tim Louis.
Invoice C-355 was handed by the Home of Commons in Could 2024, but it surely stalled within the Senate and when former prime minister Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament in January 2025, the invoice died.
A brand new invoice has not been introduced, however Mitchell stated she’s urging the federal authorities to behave.
“What we’re actually asking for now could be only a ban that might be handed by fairly simple regulatory amendments,” Mitchell stated.
“All we actually need the federal government to do is introduce actually simple, focused rules that might ban this follow instantly.”
Exporters’ affiliation responds
The Canadian Equine Exporters Affiliation (CEEA), which speaks for the equine export sector in Canada, stated in a press release that it has reviewed a duplicate of the report and that “any and all allegations of struggling to CEEA horses is taken with unimaginable sincerity and concern.”
The affiliation went on to say the allegations are “alarming” and its officers are finding out the report back to independently confirm them.
The CEEA stated the business is closely regulated and that it really works carefully with the CFIA and different regulatory boards to make sure animal welfare is maintained.
“Animal Justice is an activist group with an extended historical past of advocating in opposition to the follow of animal agriculture in Canada and utilizing excessive ways to advocate for his or her place,” the CEEA added.
“CEEA will work diligently and swiftly to research information and official experiences of all shipments outlined in Animal Justice’s September 2024 report and current the unbiased information to authorities determination makers and the general public as soon as compiled.”
The business itself is based totally in Alberta, however there are additionally firms and producers in Manitoba and Ontario.
Requested about these exports from the province, a spokesperson for Alberta Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson instructed International Information the federal authorities and the Canadian Meals Inspection company are the leads on the difficulty.
Callum Reid, a spokesperson for Sijurdson, stated Alberta believes animals must be at all times handled humanely.
“Animal welfare and processing necessities for horses are in keeping with different livestock in Alberta,” Reid stated. “This consists of working with the CFIA and different related certification our bodies to make sure the province meets nationwide and worldwide requirements for animal welfare and meals security.”
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