Thank you.
I'd like to begin by expressing my gratitude for the opportunity to address the committee. As the governing body for equestrian sport and industry in Canada, Equestrian Canada wholeheartedly supports initiatives aimed at safeguarding the health and welfare of horses. However, we do believe that certain aspects of the bill require careful consideration to avoid unintended consequences for an important sector of our equine industry.
We would like to highlight the importance of defining the term “export” as it pertains to the transport of horses, and I know this has been discussed at length at the committee today. It is important, however, to distinguish, perhaps in the preamble or in other definitions, that air travel is utilized for horses for other purposes in the sport sector. The transportation of sport horses by air for competition, sales and training is an integral part of equestrian sport and is a standard practice for other national equestrian organizations represented in our voting membership in the breed sector.
Travel difficulties can be a source of stress, and mitigating any delays and ensuring smooth transport for horses that are legitimately travelling for sport are a horse welfare issue. If delays are forced on horses by this legislation, that could be a significant deterrent to the practice of horses legitimately travelling for sport.
We'd like to stress the distinction between horses for slaughter and those involved in sport and breeding. Ambiguous language may hinder legitimate transportation, and we want to ensure that it does not impact the equestrian community negatively. We're also asking that there be some consideration for a comprehensive transition plan, if this were to go ahead.
Our jurisdiction only covers active equines in Canada, those involved in sport and recreation activities, but we do have concerns, under the fundamental values of our organization, about the love of horses and the requirement for us to advocate for the welfare of horses in the lives of all Canadians.
We acknowledge that the bill's intent is to protect horse health, but we would like to emphasize the need to recognize the implications of welfare and equine care without forethought and planning. The necessity of implementing a comprehensive plan to support the industry's transition away from the export for slaughter practice is highly important, as is the need to avoid unnecessary pain and suffering for the horses that will be affected by the transition.
We would like to propose a transition plan that would include financial support, education and resources for the horse owners, breeders and stakeholders who are involved in the current industry. We are open as an organization and willing to play a supportive and consultative role in this so horses can be transitioned to other purposes such as sport or recreation. This transition plan should aim to protect and care for horses that are affected by this transition.
We appreciate and would like to let everyone know that we understand this is about a dedication to animal welfare. That is reflected in the bill and the passionate response that led to it.
We are in support of measures to eliminate the export of horses for slaughter. However, we would like to advocate for a more nuanced approach that includes clarifying language, especially to highlight the diverse uses of horses travelling by air, but also to highlight that there are potential unintended consequences of immediately ending an industry without the proper support. We believe that a balanced approach is necessary to safeguard horse welfare overall and in a variety of circumstances.
I'd like to thank the committee for your time and attention to this and express my trust in your careful consideration of all aspects, including considerations that we've brought forward as the bill progresses through the legislative process. I encourage continued efforts to promote animal welfare while maintaining a balanced approach to the challenges faced by our equine community.