I would like to thank the committee for allowing me to share my experience on this topic regarding the export of horses to Japan for consumption.
I have provided a full list of my equine-focused work in my briefing, but I would like to quickly hit on the most relevant ones to this topic.
I currently sit on the task force for sections CR2 and CR3 of the live animal regulations for the International Air Transport Association. Most notably, I am one of eight people from around the world who were invited to participate in the working committee charged with updating the World Organization for Animal Health terrestrial chapter for the transport of animals by land, sea and air.
In 2005, I started working with Canadian horse processing facilities and airports that export horses. This work has included facility design, audits and animal welfare program development. In 2017 I started performing animal welfare audits for the export of horses to Japan, and in 2019 I travelled to Japan to audit the feedlots and processing plants.
As I know this committee is concerned with determining what best upholds Canadian interests and the welfare of exported horses, I wanted to offer my unique perspective from actually having made the trip to Japan to audit conditions there. I want to briefly touch on how the current regulations and high standards allow for the welfare of the animals to be considered and upheld in every step of this carefully coordinated process.
These rigorous regulations have resulted in an exceptionally low mortality rate of just 0.011% over the past 11 years. The information I am sharing with you today, and what I have shared in my brief, is based on science, evidence and years of research into best practices to ensure proper animal welfare for exported horses, by me and other experts who have similarly dedicated their lives to the safe transport of all animals, including horses.
After arriving from the farm, horses are unloaded into crates that exceed the required spacing requirements. These crates allow them to shift, brace and freely move their heads up and down. They are transported as a group with the same horses they have lived with for months, if not for their entire lives. They are not held in stalls, which helps them to remain calm on the flight. They do not travel unattended, but with highly trained and capable attendants.
As I explain in my brief, pre-COVID, almost all flights to Japan were direct. January just saw the first direct flight since COVID. The shippers and airlines are working on fully reinstating direct flights soon.
The average time horses spend off feed, water and rest is 22.5 hours from Edmonton and 26.5 hours from Winnipeg, which is under the allowable time. As required by existing law, contingency plans, in collaboration with the CFIA, are in place if the trip exceeds this due to extraordinary circumstances, such as extreme weather. Luckily, this is a very rare occurrence.
Once arriving in Japan, the conditions of the horses are assessed, and they're immediately offloaded onto transfer trailers to be taken to the quarantine facilities, which are all within an hour of the airport. Veterinarians are at the airport for the arrival and transfer of horses.
As previously mentioned, injuries and mortalities of horses on these flights are exceptionally rare. The last horse off the flight is back on feed, water and rest within two hours of landing. There is continuous communication between Japan and the exporters and shippers throughout the entire process.
After two weeks of being cared for and monitored by veterinarians in the quarantine facility, the horses are taken to the feedlot. As an expert who has personally audited these feedlots, I can confidently say they are incredibly well maintained, and the horses are very well cared for, reflecting the high regard that Japan holds for horses. These feedlots meet or exceed Canadian standards of care.
Additionally, the slaughter plants also pass the audit based on Canadian standards.
Members of this committee and other Canadians can be confident in the current strict regulations on the export of horses for consumption. Not only is this a legitimate agricultural business that is in full compliance with strict Canadian regulations and international standards, but it upholds what we know to be true about horse welfare from research and experts dedicated to the subject.
I once again want to thank the committee for having me here today, and I am pleased to answer any questions or provide more information.