CFIA Non-Ambulatory Livestock Consultation

AFAC response

Consultation

What is and what is not acceptable relative to the transportation of livestock at risk of suffering or injury because of poor health or physical conditions (lameness, inability to rise)?

There is a wide range of opinion on the acceptability of loading an animal whose capacity to withstand the stress of transportation is in some way compromised. Conflicting views among and within the various sectors and organizations have led to inconsistent decisions and practices.

CFIA’s intention with this consultation is to apply the criteria to its policy for enforcing the Health of Animals Regulations, Part 12, Subsection 138 (2)(1), that prohibits the loading or transport of an animal that by “reason of infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue or any other cause cannot be transported without undue suffering during the expected journey.”

CFIA suggests these conditions deem the affected livestock unfit for transport:

1. Inability to stand without assistance or to move without being dragged or carried, including animals that, after splitting, cannot walk, or suffer severe pain when walking.*
2. Fractured limbs or fractures to the pelvis or any other fractures that considerably hamper mobility or cause sever pain.* *Unless small enough to be carried by one person.
3. Large, deep wounds.
4. Severe bleeding.
5. Severely compromised general condition, such as emaciation.
6. Severe chronic pain that would be aggravated by transportation.

“If an animal deemed unfit for transport is to be slaughtered or euthanized, it must not be transported. Slaughter, euthanasia, or treatment must be carried out on-site. The dragging of a non-ambulatory farm animal out of a barn onto a conveyance or loading it by any other means is therefore prohibited.” - CFIA

Excerpts of AFAC letter sent in response to CFIA's consultation:

“The following AFAC member organizations reviewed the proposed CFIA criteria to evaluate the fitness of livestock for transport:

We do not condone the loading and transporting of non-ambulatory livestock, except for therapeutic reasons and supervised by a veterinarian. We agree that undue suffering is a concern when loading and transported non-ambulatory animals. We agree that the resulting meat quality and food safety from a shipped downer maybe compromised, as is the reputation of our industries in the eyes of the marketplace.

Alberta livestock producers have options to deal immediately and humanely with non-ambulatory animals, including animals with fractured limbs. Mobile butchers are available. As well, emergency on-farm slaughter is available. In this case, a producer can recover meat value by having an inspector do an on-site antemortem inspection. The animal is then humanely killed on-site and if fit for human consumption, the carcass is then immediately taken to the local abattoir, with the required documentation.

AFAC has a three year project underway to monitor beef, dairy, horse and swine downer statistics. In YEAR I (commenced Apr/03), we are gathering data on the occurrence of downers. In Year II, we will begin an educational awareness program regarding the humane handling (early culling) of unfit livestock and in YEAR III we will do a follow-up statistical comparison with YEAR I data. The purpose is to reduce the number of unfit livestock entering the marketing system."