Ontario is proposing a ban on horse slaughter and horse meat processing at provincially-inspected meat plants.
It said its ban does not extend to federally-inspected plants but none of them are currently licenced to slaughter horses.
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness is proposing the ban due to public concerns about animal welfare.
Horse slaughter and exports to Japan have been under increased animal welfare activists’ attacks for the last several years.
The horse industry regards horse slaughter as a safe, convenient and economical way to dispose of culled horses.
The government said “we encourage you to review and consider this posting. Comments and feedback can be submitted to OMAFA using the Regulatory Registry, or via email to william.martin@ontario.ca.
