Mr. Speaker, the second petition is identical to many previous petitions introduced in the House over the years that express concern about the welfare of live horses exported for the purpose of slaughter. These horses often endure long journeys and inhumane conditions, and the federal government has no ability to ensure animal welfare in the importing country.
The Government of Canada must take preventative measures to combat the undue suffering of animals. In light of the Minister of Agriculture's official response, in which he does not commit to ban this practice, the petitioners reiterate their calls to amend the health of animals regulations to ban the export of live horses for slaughter.