06/08/2026
Two words that should not be together “HORSE” and “SLAUGHTER”
One Federally-Licensed Horse Slaughter Plant Left Standing: How Long is Viandes Richelieu Likely to Last?
With the permanent closure of Bouvry Exports, advocates are calling for a complete end to the equine slaughter industry in Canada. Viandes Richelieu in Massueville, Quebec, is still operating and even accepting horses from the U.S. for immediate slaughter.
In fact, StatsCan data reveals that 3,698 horses were imported for slaughter in 2025 from Pennsylvania, Michigan, Iowa and Maine. These horses were transported straight to Viandes Richelieu and have since entered the food supply.
An emerging health concern is the issue of a rising incidence of diphtheria in horses in the U.S. Numerous positive cases have been confirmed via laboratory testing and we fear that diseased animals could be making their way north, to be butchered in Canada (https://horseplus.org/historic-breakthrough-we-are-closer-than-ever-to-ending-horse-slaughter-for-good/).
Further, the U.S. Equestrian Federation has raised the alarm about screwworm having been confirmed recently south of our border. Their press release states: “Widespread screwworm infestation could have serious consequences for animal health, agriculture productivity, and the national economy (https://equinediseasecc.org/news/article/ALERT-Screwworm-Confirmed-in-the-United-State)”. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced a temporary ban on livestock, including horses, from Texas.: https://www.canada.ca/en/food-inspection-agency/news/2026/06/the-canadian-food-inspection-agency-implements-disease-control-measures-to-prevent-spread-of-new-world-screwworm.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawST20pleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF3WmNlSjFJM0JaRXF4UUpac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHm_JWGKoSOU2n43wSa6mdnxAEJq0dsGJG_EsAfaQWb2rSgrzBoAlJOBxC72L_aem_S34rx77ePCnMgwCOYrUopw
Horse slaughter must end, on both sides of the border, for the sake of animal welfare and human health.
There is no better time than today to inform the federal government that horses should not be imported from the U.S. for slaughter. Consider these reasons:
• The vast majority of citizens polled in both Canada and the U.S. are opposed to the slaughter of horses for human consumption.
• It has been a long-standing concern that most horses, during their lifetimes, have been treated with drugs that are banned from the food chain (e.g. phenylbutazone, a common anti-inflammatory). This is because horses are not traditionally raised as food animals.
• Diphtheria and screwworm cases in U.S. horses are on the rise. Canada must remain vigilant and not allow disease to enter our country.
• The horse slaughter pipeline creates loopholes exploited for drug smuggling, human trafficking, and money laundering. Stopping these imports tightens oversight, reduces cross-border vulnerabilities, and disrupts hidden criminal networks. See more here: https://horseplus.org/historic-breakthrough-we-are-closer-than-ever-to-ending-horse-slaughter-for-good/.
• Now, with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s efforts to decrease Canada’s reliance on trade with the U.S., it makes sense to stop U.S. horse imports for slaughter – a trade worth less than $3 million to the Canadian economy and one whose reputation is inherently stained. Promotion of the vibrant “live” horse industry, on the other hand, remains well-accepted and generates billions of dollars of revenue in Canada.
🐴What can you do to help end this ruthless, predatory trade that causes suffering to horses and puts the health of humans at risk? Contact the very people who hold the keys to progress in their hands!
Core call to action:
Ask our government leaders to ban the imports of horses for slaughter to protect Canadian animals, public health, agriculture, and borders. This is not just about compassion — it’s smart risk management for our country.
Contact information (along with a letter that can be used ''as is'' or edited) can be found here https://bit.ly/4etzBXH
