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The Alberta Horse Welfare Report Executive Summary Feb 12, 2008: A report on horses as food producing animals has been completed by the Alberta Equine Welfare Group. It presents facts on the humane treatment of horses processed in Alberta and Canada for food, identifies areas that need improvement and spells out the impact of the closure of horse meat plants in the US. The aim is to provide a base of information to encourage constructive, open communication on a sensitive issue and address ways to continually improve horse welfare. The Alberta Equine Welfare Group is comprised of representatives from Alberta Equestrian Federation, the Horse Industry Association of Alberta, Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, Alberta SPCA, the RCMP, meat processors, feedlot owners, horse buyers and Alberta Agriculture and Food. Most are members of Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC), the organization providing project management services for the group. The report includes historical data on horse meat consumption. Over one billion people or 16% of the world population eat horse meat. Consumption of horse meat has increased 27% since 1990. In terms of nutritional value, horse meat has 20% more protein and double the iron of beef. Among others, Asians, Europeans and Canadians eat horse meat. Humane treatment of horses throughout their lifetime and at death is a priority. The report highlights Canadian legislation that is in place and is enforced to ensure the humane treatment of horses, at the farm, at auctions, while in transport and at all federally inspected meat plants. In addition, the report details the USDA regulation that states US horses transported to Canadian meat plants must go on single deck trailers and be inspected by USDA and CFIA veterinarians. The reports notes recent gaps in the adherence to this rule and notes Alberta horse industry requests for action to fix this. Unlike many US states, livestock are not exempt from Canada’s animal protection laws. Studies done by AFAC and the Alberta SPCA and by Dr. T. Grandin point to original owner induced neglect as the core equine welfare concern. The report identifies recommendations to improve this. The report includes a description of the horse industry in Alberta with respect to horses as food producing animal. Many horses are purpose-raised for meat production. The types of horses received at the Alberta horse meat plant and the humane handling practices in place are outlined. Before the US horse plants closed in 2007, 50,000 horses were processed in Canada for human consumption. By the end of 2007, this number had doubled. A new plant has opened in Saskatchewan with a capacity equal to the Alberta plant. The number of horses imported into Canada has increased by 40%. The report describes euthanasia options available to horse owners in Alberta. The associated costs and benefits are discussed. People tend to view their horse as livestock, as working animals or as companion animals. These different viewpoints are acknowledged in this report. What is important is that all horses be treated humanely throughout their lifetime. This must include options for humanely ending the horse’s life. This is ultimately the choice of the horse’s owner. It is well known that horse meat plants in the US have been closed as a result of pressure from organizations opposed to horses as a meat producing animal. This report tells of the actions and the resulting consequences of growing horse neglect, abandonment and starvation. The Alberta Equine Welfare Group believes that processing horses for food is a humane end to a horse’s life. This group is committed, and encourages other horse industry groups, to seek the continuous improvement of equine welfare and develop open communication to increase the awareness of the humane approaches to husbandry, handling, transporting and processing of horses in Canada.
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