A BILL TO BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER IN CANADA
What you can do to help!
Written by SINIKKA CROSLAND
Background
On June 16, 2010, NDP Agriculture Critic MP Alex Atamanenko tabled (introduced) Private Members Bill C-544 that would effectively shut down the slaughter of horses in Canada for human consumption.
Bill C-544 is “An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act and the Meat Inspection Act (slaughter of horses for human consumption)”.
The basis of the bill is the fact that horses are not food-producing animals and many are treated with drugs that are prohibited from entering the human food chain.
Canadians now have the opportunity to help this Bill become law.
Your efforts will be critical for this Bill’s success!
A new petition has been created, reflecting the components of Bill C-544 pertaining to the amendments of the Health of Animals Act and the Meat Inspection Act. Specifically, these amendments address the dangers to human health as horse-meat products are likely to contain prohibited substances.
http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/pdf/chdcpetition2010.pdf
The message to our MPs must be specific to Bill C-544. Mr. Atamanenko states, “The fact is that drugs which are prohibited for use during the life of any animals destined for the human food supply are routinely being administered to horses. It is irresponsible for Canada to allow the sale of meat from horses as a food item when they have never been raised in accordance with the food safety practices required for all other animals.”
This summer is our key opportunity to reach out to our Members of Parliament, while Parliament is in recess, before they reconvene in the Fall. Our target date to have petitions delivered to our MPs is September 20, 2010. Please commit to petitioning your Member of Parliament this summer. You may choose to collect names by going door to door, sitting at a table in a shopping mall or by leaving petitions at supportive businesses.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT CITIZENS SIGN PETITIONS CORRESPONDING TO THE RIDING THEY LIVE IN.
So, if your community covers more than one constituency, make sure to offer a choice of several petitions with the riding/MP name at the top of each front page. Collect as many names as you can.
Resources
Your MP’s name and contact information can be found here:
Explain to your elected official that horsemeat may contain drugs that are unsafe for human consumption. Proof of horse-meat toxicity can be found in this recently released scientific paper titled “Association of phenylbutazone usage with horses bought for slaughter: A public health risk”:
This summer’s recess also coincides with new requirements from the European Union, being implemented on July 31, 2010, as a first step in the development of a comprehensive food safety and traceability program for the Canadian equine industry in an effort to protect consumers from tainted horsemeat. Here is a link to the CFIA announcement on this industry changing program:
The CHDC has researched the troubling issue of banned drugs commonly found in horsemeat, and has prepared this paper on what the European Union requirements will mean to North America ‘s horse industry:
Bill Text (C-544)
- http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=4633655&Language=e&Mode=1 (Click on the various sub-titles on the left of the document.)
On MP Alex Atamanenko’s Introduction of C-544:
How a Bill Becomes Law
The CHDC would be happy to answer any questions or provide guidance in your efforts to gather signatures on your petition(s). We can be contacted at info@defendhorsescanada.org. Please keep us up to date on your progress.
—
Tuesday's Horse 