moved for leave to introduce Bill C-468, An Act respecting the Health of Animals Regulations (animals in transit).
Mr. Speaker, today I am honoured to table this bill that aims to make significant changes to the Health of Animals Regulations in order to reduce transit times for farm animals.
The current transit times of 36 hours without water, food or rest for poultry, hogs and horses, and 52 hours without water, food or rest for cattle, sheep and goats are just plain cruel.
I think that most Canadians are not aware of the fact that Canada's non-stop transit times for livestock are among the longest in the industrialized world.
The argument that we have longer transport times due to the size of our country does not hold up. An animal in Europe is no different from one in our own back yard. We must look out for animals' well-being. An animal is an animal is an animal.
I call on all members of the House to support the intentions of this bill.
I am appealing to the common sense of all hon. members to ensure that this motion is passed unanimously.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)