Canada has its first Bill to ban horse slaughter!  A big thank you to NDP MP Alex Atamanenko and horse supporters everywhere for this huge , historical step toward banning horse slaughter in Canada.

Bill C-544, "An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act and the Meat Inspection Act ( slaughter of horses for human consumption) ", was tabled on June 16, 2010 by MP Alex Atamanenko:

This Bill is a huge step forward in the movement to abolish a cruel ,archaic and unnecessary industry, and we applaud Mr. Atamanenko for his monumental initiative.

What can horse advocates do to ensure that this Bill becomes law?

There is a process involved: All Private Members' Bills must be debated and pass three readings. In order to move forward, a vote must take place and a bill must have the support of the majority of Members of Parliament.

For more information on this process please click on the link below:

http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/pdf/leg

While Parliament is in recess for the summer, this is the time for horse advocates to reach out to their MP to brief them on this issue and to encourage them to support this Bill when the fall session resumes.

To reach your MP:

Please visit this page to find your Member of Parliament:

http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainConstitutuenciesCompleteList.aspx      

Ask your MP to support Bill C-544!

We ask you to remind your elected official that horsemeat may contain drugs that are unsafe for human consumption. Horses are generally considered to be a sport and companion animals. They are not meant to be served at dinner tables!

Petition form for Bill C-544:

http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/pdf/chdcpetition2010.pdf

Do it now!  http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/DoItNow.html

Petition information;  A petition must contain a minimum of 25 valid signatures with addresses.There is no minimum age requirement for anyone signing a petition.

Each petitioner must sign ,not print, ( the CHDC asks the names to be both printed and signed) his or her own name directly on the petition and must not sign for anyone else.If a petitioner cannot sign because of illness or a disability, this must be noted on the petition and the note signed by a witness.

The text of a petition must not be altered either by erasing or crossing out words or by adding words or commentary.Any alteration will make the petition unacceptable.

A Member of the House of Commons may sign a petition, but should ask another Member to present that petition.The signatures of Members inscribed on a petition are not counted towards the required 25 signatures and addresses.

Background information:

In February 2010, the CHDC received covert footage from two horse slaughter plants, Bouvry Exports in Fort Macleod, Alberta , and Viande Richelieu in Massueville, Quebec.

The evidence of inhumane practices as an industry norm was overwhelming. For more information from this investigation please click the link below:

http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/ChambersofCarnage.html

It is eveident from this investigation that horses cannot be humanely slaughtered in an assembly-line manner.

We have also researched the troubling issue of banned drugs commonly found in horsemeat, as well as new requirements from the European Union stipulating that horsemeat for human consumption must be drug-free.

For more information on what this will mean to North America's horse industry, go here:

http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/pdf/finaldisc100314.pdf

Read a letter from the European Commossion that outlines their requirements for countries that export equine meat:

http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/pdf/residues.pdf

 For an example of a letter you can use please click here.  Thank you.

Pour un exemple de lettre que vous pouvez utiliser, S.V.P. cliquez ici.  Merci.