PARADISE STABLE HORSE RESCUE
Giving Horses a Second Chance!
Horse Slaughter Information
Below you will find up to date info on Horse Slaughter in Canada. For more information please check out the links on our Links page. Please join the fight! The horses need your support and voice.
"If I had a horse, I'd ride off in the sunset, where dreams and shadows lie. To a life where pain and sorrow doesn't exist, and to where hopes and dreams become reality."
~Lindsay Turcotte
1.) A Report by the Canadian Horse Defense Coalition on Equine Slaughter at Natural Valley Farms Horse Slaughterhouse Neudorf, SK April 27-May 31, 2008 Black Beauty Betrayed: The Slaughter of US and Canadian Horses http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/pdf/bbb2008.pdf Slideshows with commentary revealing conditions at the slaughterhouse http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/twy/101.html http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/twy/201.html ***For more video footage of the Natural Valley Farms investigation and media footage of the investigations visit: http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/info.php?id=Ihsinv08.inc 2.) Investigation at Natural Valley Farms Horse Slaughter Plant Neudorf, Saskatchewan External Report February, 2008
BEWARE GRAPHIC PICTURES!
3.) Alert: Dealing in Blood Money
...Canada's Betrayal of Horses!
(February 1, 2008)
Canadian Horse Defense Coalition representatives have been extremely busy in the field over the past several
months. We have both good and bad news to share. As you read this, please remember that we cannot expect
to see an end to horse slaughter without a huge fight from industry; those who profit from the suffering and
untimely deaths of our companion animals are bound to be upset about potential loss of revenue. The more they
fight, the more threatened they feel.
And here's an additional thought as we proceed: a movement is only as strong as its most committed forces.
YOU are part of that!
The Bad News: Sudden growth of horse slaughter in Canada
In 2007, the last U.S. equine slaughterhouse in Dekalb, Illinois, was forced to close its doors due
to upholding of state legislation. Horses are therefore no longer being slaughtered in the United States.
(That by itself is wonderful news!) However, since the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act has not yet
been enacted (along with protective provisions that would ban transport for slaughter as well), horses have
been moving south to Mexico and north to Canada en masse. In 2006, 50,242 horses were killed in Canadian
abattoirs. In 2007, this figure rose to nearly 80,000. USDA statistics indicate that there has been a 46%
increase in the numbers of horses exported to Canada from the U.S.: 18,901 in 2006 and 27,688 in 2007.
The horse killing industry in Canada has responded to U.S. slaughterhouse closures with a colossal
effort to cash in. Canada is fast becoming the horse slaughter capital of the world, boasting seven
slaughterhouses that are now licensed to kill horses. The ultimate betrayal of our equine companions is
federally sanctioned in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec. The most recent addition to the
list is Norval Meats at Proton Station, Ontario.
Detailed information on individual slaughter plants can be found here:
http://active.inspection.gc.ca/scripts/meavia/reglist/reglist.asp?lang=e (click on horses and then hit Submit).
The Good News: Help arrives on a southerly breeze
On January 14, 2008, actress Bo Derek brought a crucial message to Vancouver, B.C.--that horses should not be
slaughtered for human consumption. She expressed her concern about growing numbers of American horses now
being transported to Canada for slaughter. "These same horses that we saved in one respect--a lot of them are
ending up here and that only increases their suffering because the distances are further and the conditions
that they are transported in are really horrendous," Ms. Derek stated. Written, radio and television coverage
of this press conference and the issue of horse slaughter generally was extensive:
National Post: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=264975
Vancouver Sun: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=9c5303ec-3907-459c-a313-990951111b9c&k=76004
Vancouver Province (canada.com): http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=21890079-00da-4c1a-869a-65aaab77e944
AFP: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i4oDZywN5FQkOxXgNrODWuIv-0GA
Saskatoon Star Phoenix:
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/local/story.html?id=2928b3a8-c730-4bbc-b4a6-164cd5c969d1
LeSoleil: http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20080124/CPSOLEIL/80123290/6787/CPSOLEIL
In addition, eleven television news clips covering the press conference aired on January 14th and 15th.
We are so very grateful to Bo for her compassion and commitment to this cause! With her assistance, the
campaign to stop horse slaughter in Canada has officially been launched and the issue continues to be debated
on radio talk shows and forums, delivering the message even further.
Call to Action!
Eyes Needed
Now, with horse slaughter in the news, it is more important than ever to do what we can to expose the cruelty.
Reported incidents from concerned Canadians are received by our Coalition every week. This brings home the
fact that inhumanity to horses destined for slaughter is happening right now, every day!
It is becoming increasingly clear that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is doing a poor job policing
the transport of horses. We need eyes looking out for horses in our communties! Please be on the lookout
for trucks carrying equines, and report to the police any animal welfare concerns you may witness. For instance,
lame horses should not be loaded onto trailers (this happens consistently at auctions). Remind enforcement
officials about subsection 138(2) of the Health of Animals Regulations (under authority of the Health of Animals Act),
which states: "...no person shall load or cause to be loaded and no one shall transport or cause to be transported
an animal that by reason of infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue or any other cause cannot be transported without
undue suffering during the expected journey...."
Undue suffering is a fact of life in the slaughter business, from auction to feedlot to abattoir!
Please keep documented records and report all details of these incidents to the CHDC at: info@defendhorsescanada.org .
Pictures or video footage of animal cruelty, if you can obtain it, helps to document the evidence.
We'd be interested in knowing if the authorities will not respond to your complaints.
Legislative Support
More work needs to be done in the area of enlisting the support of Canadian Members of Parliament.
Please make an appointment to meet with your MP as soon as possible in order to bring the concerns to
his/her attention. Encourage your representative in Ottawa to support petitioning efforts to stop equine
slaughter. Our horses need a Member of Parliament to put forth a private member's bill to stop horse slaughter
(and transport for slaughter) in Canada.
You can use the following points to help illustrate why we are trying to stop the slaughter of horses for
human consumption:
It is not possible for horse slaughter to be conducted humanely.
Go here to view the evidence:
Vets for Equine Welfare (http://vetsforequinewelfare.org/video.php);
Animals' Angels investigations (http://www.animals-angels.com:80/index.php?pageID=563&synlink:docID=i8386&synlink:linkID
and scroll down to Natural Valley and Richelieu investigations)
Transport for slaughter is not humane. Read about the concerns:
Animals Angels (http://www.animals-angels.com:80/index.php?pageID=563&synlink:docID=i8386&synlink:linkID
and scroll down to Transport of American horses to Canada for slaughter)
Feedlot maintenance is not humane. Go here: http://www.kaufmanzoning.net/horsemeat/GreatFallsTribune08102003.htm
Please use your power as a constituent to speak out for the horses!
Find your Member of Parliament here:
http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current&Language=E
The Hon. Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, also needs to hear about Canada's cruelty to horses.
You'll find a feedback box to the minister here: http://www.agr.gc.ca/cb/min/index_e.php?s1=help-aide&s2=contact
For further information, as well as downloadable petitions and flyers, please visit: www.defendhorsescanada.org
**Copy/paste links into your browser if they do not work by clicking on them.**
Canada Becoming Horse Slaughter Leader - How Can You Help Stop It?
(September 4, 2007)
There is a disturbing trend developing in Canada. We are becoming the country of choice for domestic and
foreign-owned horse slaughter businesses to continue killing North American horses for human consumption
overseas.
In 2006, two of the last three existing US horse slaughter plants closed, as a Texas law protecting horses
was upheld. In Illinois, the last remaining plant remains in operation only on appeal. Horse slaughter is
close to becoming history in the US, as it is anticipated that the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act
will soon become law. When this law is passed, not only will horses be protected from slaughter in the US,
they will also be prevented from shipping to Canada and Mexico for the same purpose.
A year ago, there were 3 plants in Canada – 2 in Quebec and one in Alberta. Today, this number has doubled
– there now exist 2 in Quebec, 2 in Alberta, one in BC and one in Saskatchewan.
When horses are shipped to slaughter, they are transported over very long distances, cramped in trailers built
for cattle. Stallions, young colts and fillies, pregnant mares and geldings, along with sick and lame horses
are not provided with food or water for days at a time. They are driven thousands of miles sometimes across
Canada or from as far away as Texas. Transportation records show that normally one or more horses are found
dead on arrival.
For those that do survive the last journey of their lives, what awaits them in the slaughterhouse is an even
greater hell. Those that can still walk are herded by electric prods inside, where they hear, see and smell
the death around them. In these final steps of their lives, visibly shaking and frightened to the point of
losing control of their bladder and bowels, they experience the final betrayal that we as humans could possibly
inflict on these loyal and trusting creatures.
The Canadian Horse Defense Coalition (CHDC) asks Canadians to join in their pledge to help protect our equines
from this grisly fate. Together, we must put pressure on our Members of Parliament, as well as the Minister of
Agriculture, so legislation can be passed that will put an end to this barbaric practice.
An Ipsos-Reid poll conducted in 2004 reveals that nearly 2/3 of Canadians (64%) oppose the slaughter of horses
for human consumption. Now that Canada is becoming the “solution” for the imminent closing of this business in
the US, we must increase our efforts to protect the thousands of horses that will die this most cruel death here
in Canada.
In 2006, over 50,000 horses were slaughtered in Canada. That is nearly 1,000 every week. With the increased number
of horses shipping to Canada, and the new slaughterhouses in operation, these numbers will continue to rise. These
horses are not all unwanted and untrainable. They are not all old, sick and lame. Many of these horses are picked
up at auction by kill buyers. Slaughterhouses do not provide a humane euthanasia service -- they are strictly profit
driven by an industry that supplies horsemeat to overseas consumers. Quite literally, no horse is safe from slaughter.
How can you help? By contacting your MP and Minister of Agriculture, you are making your voice heard.
By helping educate yourself and fellow Canadians about this hidden industry, you are helping to reveal
it and keep it above the radar.
On the CHDC website at DefendHorsesCanada.org you can:
- download and print copies of our flyer and distribute it to help educate others
- download and modify the petition to include the name of your MP, so you can gather
signatures of others who are opposed.
Contact the Government
Recently, Hon. Gerry Ritz was appointed the new Minister of Agriculture.
To help further you can:
- Notify your local newspapers and television stations on this important horse welfare issue
- Find other people and organizations to network with, so you can become part of the collective
group opposing horse slaughter.
When we band together and stand united, we can bring change. Together, we can literally help save the lives
of thousands of horses. Please join us today, and start taking action now to save Canada’s horses from slaughter.
Will Canadians Stomach a Horsemeat Industry?
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail, September 4, 2007 at 4:22 AM EDT
- Click here to read Globe and Mail’s complete revealing article on Canada’s horsemeat industry.
As U.S. slaughterhouses shut down, domestic abattoirs are courting demand for the delicacy abroad
and controversy at home. By KATHERINE HARDING
NEAR NEUDORF, SASK. — At the end of a remote gravel road in southern Saskatchewan's Qu'Appelle Valley is the
next target in a growing movement to rid North America of its horse slaughterhouses.
Horse advocates in both Canada and the United States are outraged that this vast green valley, lush and rolling,
is now home to this country's newest federally licensed horse abattoir: Natural Valley Farms Inc.
They are also concerned that even more Canadian companies may start slaughtering and processing horses in a bid
to satisfy hungry overseas markets that crave horsemeat, a pricey delicacy in many countries, since the industry
is headed for extinction in the United States.
"This is all happening under the radar. Ask most people, and they have no idea that horses are even slaughtered
in Canada for meat," said Shelley Grainger, director of the Canadian Horse Defense Coalition's eastern region.
Wild horses are rounded up in July in Eureka, Nev. Two of the three remaining horse slaughterhouses in the U.S.
shut down this year. The industry is worth $60-million annually in Canada. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Her group wants the practice outlawed in Canada, arguing it is inhumane and repugnant because horses are commonly
regarded more as pets and sporting animals than livestock. The coalition is also calling for a national ban on the
shipment of live horses to other countries for human consumption.
Currently, almost all the horsemeat processed in Canada by the six licensed horse abattoirs is exported to Europe
and Asia, although there is a small domestic market for the product in Quebec. According to Statistics Canada, the
top importers of Canadian horsemeat last year were France, Japan, Mexico and Switzerland.
The industry is worth an estimated $60-million annually in Canada.
Steven Rei, an American anti-horse-slaughter lobbyist and founder of the National Equine Rescue Coalition, said
Natural Valley Farms' decision to begin slaughtering horses this summer is proof that Canada is already benefiting
from the shutdown earlier this year of two of the three remaining horse slaughterhouses in the United States. (In
2006, about 88,000 horses in the U.S. were killed and processed into horsemeat.)
The last operating slaughterhouse in the U.S., located in DeKalb, Ill., is struggling to remain open while it fights
a new state law aimed at putting it out of business for good. It has been shipping its meat to U.S. zoos for feed,
and overseas for human consumption, for about two decades.
The horsemeat contract Natural Valley Farms recently signed is with Velda Group, the Belgium-based parent company of
the business that owns the troubled Illinois slaughterhouse.
Ken Piller, president of Natural Valley Farms, was extremely reluctant to talk about the controversy surrounding the
meat plant's move to begin slaughtering horses at its facility south of Neudorf, Sask., a farming community of about
300 located 1½ hours east of Regina. The meat is processed at a plant in nearby Wolseley, Sask. It took several
unreturned phone calls and an unannounced visit to the company's Neudorf plant before he agreed to speak.
"We saw an opportunity here," Mr. Piller explained in an interview. "I really don't want to talk about the politics
involved."
According to Mr. Piller, the producer-owned business opened in 2005 and has been struggling ever since. The meat plant,
which has tried to set itself apart from competitors by only producing hormone- and antibiotic-free beef, received money
from the Saskatchewan government to help get started.
Mr. Piller, whose family has been farming and ranching in the Qu'Appelle Valley for several generations, said that to
keep the company's two plants operational and its 150 employees busy, side ventures such as processing horse meat are
necessary. Even as late as April, it had to lay off some workers because of a lack of work.
Mr. Piller understands that slaughtering horses for meat is an emotionally charged issue for many, but added: "Nobody
in Saskatchewan cares. Everybody here raises horses ... Everybody understands at the end of the day there has to be a
cull."
Mr. Piller said about 95 per cent of the horses slaughtered at Natural Valley Farms are from Canadian suppliers, and that
many are "retirees" - often older, unwanted animals, including former racehorses.
Despite the collapse of the U.S. horse-slaughter industry, he doesn't expect more Canadian companies to rush in to fill the
void. Mr. Piller said it's a difficult business to get into and that to ship product to Europe requires European Union
certification, which Natural Valley Farms already had.
If anything, he expects Mexico will benefit more than Canada from the closing of American horse abattoirs.
People living near Natural Valley Farms' slaughterhouse are generally supportive of the company's move to produce horsemeat
for foreign markets. "The plant has been good for this community. It has brought money and jobs here," said Glen Bender, who
works at Cooper's General Store & the Chicken Coop Cafe in Neudorf.
Not all locals are happy with what's happening at the plant. Mr. Piller's uncle, Raymond Piller, a 70-year-old farmer, shook
his head and said: "Those poor, poor horses. But I know that they have to do what they have to do to keep that place running.
They've had a hard go of it."
Ms. Grainger said that while only a small percentage of horses in Canada are sent to the slaughterhouse (about 50,000 annually),
there is no need for any of them to end up there.
"The fact is that my horse is my pet, just like my dog and my cat. We don't slaughter our pets for people to consume," she said.
"Horses are a part of our culture in a way that traditional livestock aren't."
Ms. Grainger admits the anti-horse-slaughter lobby in Canada isn't as strong or organized as its counterpart in the U.S., but
she expects it to gain steam as the "hidden industry" is exposed to more Canadians.
~ Katherine Harding
* * * * *
Horse d'oeuvres
Which provinces have licensed slaughterhouses for horses?
Quebec (two), Alberta (two), British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
(Westwold, B.C., Lacombe, Alta., Fort Macleod, Alta., Neudorf, Sask.
Massueville, Que., and St.-Andre-Avellin, Que.)
How are horses slaughtered?
The process is similar to how cattle are slaughtered: The animal is usually stunned with a captive bolt pistol that drives
a spike into its brain and renders it immediately unconscious. Ken Piller, president of Natural Valley Farms, a Saskatchewan-
based meat plant that slaughters horses, said compared with other animals the horse "is probably the easiest and cleanest
animal to process."
What's the history of horsemeat?
Humans have eaten horsemeat since the beginning of time. However, as with pork and beef, some religions have either
discouraged or banned the consumption of it over the centuries. For example, in 732, Pope Gregory III issued an edict
to Roman Catholics that forbade them to eat it.
Today, the meat is generally considered to be taboo in most English-speaking countries such as Canada, the United States
and Australia. However, many European and Asian diners still regularly enjoy the delicacy. China is the leading producer
of horsemeat.
What does it taste like?
The high-protein, low-fat meat is often described as tasting slightly sweet and similar to beef.
How is it usually prepared?
Similar to other meats, horsemeat can be prepared in numerous ways: smoked, salted, grilled, even eaten raw.
~ Katherine Harding
* * * * *
A Foreign Delicacy
Almost all the horsemeat processed in Canada by the six licensed horse abattiors is exported.
CANADIAN EQUINE* MEAT EXPORTS, 2007 to June:
Country Quantity, KGM (Kilogram-meter) Value, $
Japan 2,492,889 $10,637,632
France 2,344,079 $12,097,347
Switzerland 947,337 $9,247,247
Mexico 904,337 $1,386,200
Italy 370,510 $1,725,454
Czech Rep 96,952 $151,925
Finland 48,354 $90,595
South Africa 23,618 $45,881
USA 18,606 $33,601
Belgium 15,300 $165,586
Swaziland 12,897 $117,204
Jamaica 7,664 $17,504
*includes horse, ass, mule and hinny (horse/donkey cross)
SOURCES: STATISTICS CANADA, AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD CANADA
from CANADIAN HORSE DEFENSE COALITION:
Alert: Two More Slaughterhouses Killing Horses in Canada!
(August 7, 2007)
As an end to horse slaughter in the United States becomes an increasingly tangible goal, Canada has unfortunately
slipped backwards in the arena of protection for our equine population.
Natural Valley Farms in Saskatchewan has announced that horses will now be slaughtered in their facility near Neudorf.
Meanwhile, Canadian Horse Defense Coalition discovered that Medallion Meats near Falkland, B.C., has been quietly
shipping horsemeat to Japan. There are now four Canadian provinces actively butchering horses: Quebec, Saskatchewan,
Alberta, and B.C.
To read more about Natural Valley Farms and its custom contract with countries in the European Union, CLICK HERE.
Medallion Meats is owned by Kour Holdings Corporation. The slaughterhouse is located at 6478 Kamloops Vernon Hwy.
Additional contact information: BOX 69, FALKLAND, BC, V0E 1W0; phone: 250-375-2588 (office); 604-562-8680 (cell).
For updated horse slaughter statistics in Canada, please see the first two tables on this webpage:
http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/info.php?id=stats.inc
Additional statistics from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada indicate that during the first four months of 2007 Canada's
slaughter horse imports were on the rise: 2,049 in January; 2,319 in February; 2,422 in March; and 2,851 in April.
This is a logical progression, considering the fact that equine slaughter is grinding to a stop in the United States
(with only Cavel in DeKalb, Illinois, operating temporarily). We can thus expect growing numbers of American horses
to enter Canadian slaughter facilities, at least until such time that U.S. legislation is enacted, prohibiting the
transport of horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter.
**50,242 horses were killed in Canadian slaughterhouses in 2006.**
Please consider approaching your Member of Parliament at the earliest opportunity in order to discuss a bill to
end the slaughter of our horses!
~ Canadian Horse Defense Coalition
4.) Suprise...Who supports Horse Slaughter
November 17, 2008
Canadian Horse Defense Coalition Cancels its OEF Membership, Appealing to Canadians to Dispute OEF Stance on Horse Slaughter, and is Calling on Canadians to Oppose Rodeo as Alberta's Official Sport
The Truth About OEF
In the October 2008 issue of Whoa!, a quarterly publication by the Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF), an objectionable article was published, supporting the horse slaughter industry in Canada. In this article called "The Truth About Horse Slaughter in Canada", which reads like an advertisement for sending your horses to slaughter, there are glowing recommendations made about Natural Valley Farms horse slaughter plant in Neudorf, SK. To begin with, the timing of the article is questionable, since Natural Valley Farms (NVF) went into receivership in September, about the same time this article was published.
The article disputes the findings of the Canadian Horse Defense Coalition (CHDC) in their June 2008 report, which provides powerful film evidence of profound suffering of horses at NVF. Proof obtained includes everything from horses shipped from Canada and the US in double decker trailers, shipment of pregnant, blind, old and sick horses, injuries as a result of overcrowded trailering, lack of food and water, inadequate segregation, an abusive and extremely loud and frightening environment, deficient slaughterhouse facilities built for cattle not horses, and most disturbingly, inadequate stunning practices with the captive bolt gun. The film evidence obtained by the CHDC was viewed by Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Section Head and Program Director of the Animal Behaviour Department of Clinical Sciences at Tufts University's Cummings' School of Veterinary Medicine, who agreed that many horses were not rendered unconscious properly before being butchered, thus experiencing extreme pain and suffering.
It is the view of the CHDC that the OEF and the Saskatchewan Horse Federation, amongst other groups that form part of the newly formed Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada, have a vested interest in the economics of horse slaughter, and cannot be called upon to be unbiased in their decision to be pro-slaughter. A 2004 poll taken by Ipsos Reid concluded that 2/3 of Canadians oppose the slaughter of horses for human consumption. However, the OEF chooses to ignore this finding, as well as the evidence presented by the CHDC. Instead, they support fellow Horse Welfare Alliance member, Alberta-based Bouvry Exports, who is Canada's largest exporter of horse meat - a multi-million dollar business.
It is the view of the CHDC that the horse slaughter industry and the businesses that support it, including some auctions, horse dealers and haulers, is the major cause of the neglect and abuse of horses, and promotes our equines as a disposable commodity.
The CHDC is therefore renouncing its OEF membership, as we do not support the abuse and suffering of the 100,000 horses that will be slaughtered in Canada in 2008. Supporters are asked to write to the Executive Directors at the OEF at execdir@horse.on.ca or call 905-709-6545 to let them know your view on their pro-slaughter stance.
Please visit the CHDC website at www.defendhorsescanada.org to read more about why this industry must come to an end, and what you can do to help make that happen. In response to queries regarding the relationship between the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada and the horse slaughter industry, please see the following references: The Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada has publicly aligned itself with those who profit from the slaughter of horses. What's wrong with this picture?
Rodeo to Become Alberta's Official Sport?
On November 24, 2008, a vote will take place at the legislative level in Alberta--whether to make rodeo the official sport in that province. Liberal leader Kevin Taft is bringing in a private member's motion in order to achieve this. He states: "Rodeo's heritage in this province is so strong."
The Canadian Horse Defense Coalition is opposed to the abusive practices used in professional rodeo. Prods, tight cinch straps, and frequent falls and injuries are commonplace in this so-called "sport". Rodeo sends a callous message to the public, that animals are commodities to be used for human entertainment and profit. Major humane societies in North America have issued statements condemning rodeo abuse of animals. Additionally, many "spent" rodeo horses end up going down the slaughter pipeline because they are no longer of value as bucking broncos.
On behalf of the horses, please contact the following key legislators with your opposition to allowing Rodeo to become Alberta's official sport. Ask them to consider wholesome, non-abusive sports instead that do not rely upon an animal's reaction to pain, fear and stress for its entertainment value.
To read more, please go here.
Contacts:
Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach
Legislature Office
307 Legislature Building
10800 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 427-2251
Email: fortsaskatchewan.vegreville@assembly.ab.ca
If your call to your MLA is long distance, please dial 310-0000 then the area code and the phone number you would like to reach in order to receive toll free access.
Liberal Opposition Leader Dr. Kevin Taft is the person behind this bill to enact Rodeo as Alberta's Official Sport. If you do not contact anyone else, please send your comments to him and to the Premier.
Dr. Kevin Taft (Liberal Opposition Leader)
Legislature Office
#201 Legislature Annex
9718-107 Street
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5K 1E4
Phone: (780) 427-2292
Email: edmonton.riverview@assembly.ab.ca
If your call to your MLA is long distance, please dial 310-0000 then the area code and the phone number you would like to reach in order to receive toll free access.
George Groeneveld (Agriculture Minister)
Legislature Office
424 Legislature Building
10800 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 427-2137
Email: highwood@assembly.ab.ca
Honourable Cindy Ady (Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation)
Legislature Office
#229 Legislature Building
10800 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 427-4928
Email: calgary.shaw@assembly.ab.ca
Honourable Ron Stevens (International and Intergovernmental Misister)
Legislature Office
#408 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 427-2585
Email: calgary.glenmore@assembly.ab.ca
Honourable Lindsay Blackett (Minister of Cultural and Community Spirit)
Legislature Office
#418 Legislature Building
10800 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 422-3559
Email: calgary.northwest@assembly.ab.ca
5.) Look Where Natural Valley is dumping their Horse Blood!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udbD6OeiUBY
6.) Cavel Violations
Oct 20, 2008
John Holland, is a freelance writer, author of 3 books and senior analyst for Americans Against Horse Slaughter. Cavel International owned the last remaining U.S. horse slaughterhouse in Dekalb, Illinois, which closed in September 2007. John has compiled an exhaustive list of non-compliance issues at Cavel from 2005 to 2007. Cavel was owned by Velda Group, a Belgian-based corporation that has now taken over the operations at Natural Meat Company, formerly Natural Valley Farms, the Saskatchewan horse slaughter plant that went into receivership in October 2008.
Download John Holland's report on the Cavel Violations here.
7.) Canadian Horse Slaughter Stats
http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/pdf/cdnstats.pdf
8.) Documentation of Slaughterhouse Cruelty
Evidence Circulated
Evidence provided from the horse slaughter investigation was circulated to various groups and individuals throughout Canada and the United States. Additionally, the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition officially sent letters to Carole Swan, President of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as well as to Frances Wach, Executive Director of the Sasketchewan Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) asking for suitable response and action.
http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/info.php?id=evidence.inc