Canadian Animal Transport Update

Thank you to everyone who signed the petition concerning animal transport in Canada. The petitions made an impact and small things are starting to change. We CAN make a difference!
Here is an update from WSPA:

WSPA applauds CFIA for increasing fines for animal transport violations
Oct 28, 2010
A pig endures long distance transport
© WSPA
On the heels of a World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) report entitled Curb the Cruelty, which highlighted concerns with CFIA’s enforcement of the animal transport regulations, CFIA announced that they are “cracking down on those who mistreat and improperly transport livestock by more than doubling the fines – the first increase in over 10 years”.

WSPA applauds this important first step by CFIA and is hopeful that the increase in fines will be a strong deterrent to ‘curb the cruelty’ involved in transporting live animals in Canada. This action by CFIA is a clear indication that WSPA’s Curb the Cruelty report had an impact.

In addition to this increase in fines, however, WSPA is also continuing to urge CFIA to address all of the concerns outlined in the Curb the Cruelty report and update the animal transport regulations in Canada.

The four cases of livestock truck accidents that occurred in Ontario and one in Nova Scotia over the past four weeks, resulting in the injury and death of thousands of animals, highlights the urgent need for an update.

After the release of WSPA’s Curb the Cruelty report, more than 10,000 Canadians – from rural and urban areas – sent letters to their MPs requesting an update to Canada’s animal transport regulations. WSPA is hopeful that CFIA does not delay and heeds this strong call by Canadians for stronger regulations.


Curb the Cruelty report key findings:
1. Unacceptable numbers of animals, particularly chickens, die during transport. According to CFIA statistics, two to three million animals arrive dead each year.

2. Animals are transported in overcrowded conditions. Many animals are so crowded that they cannot lie down or turn around.

3. Severely injured, crippled and sick animals are transported in contravention of the Health of Animals regulations.

4. Severely compromised animals are transported and left to suffer for prolonged periods in contravention of the Health of Animals regulations.

5. A shortage of specially-trained animal welfare inspectors, particularly veterinarians, puts animal health and welfare at risk.

6. CFIA’s reporting and enforcement are often weak and inconsistent.

7. Animals suffer as a result of poor driver training.

WSPA’s recommendations in the Curb the Cruelty report:
1. Improve enforcement: increase the number of CFIA animal inspectors, ensure that animal inspectors are specifically trained, increase the frequency of inspections and remove ambiguous words from the legislation.

2. Implement incentives and deterrents: economic incentives are needed to encourage better animal welfare practices, and stronger penalties are needed to discourage cruelty.

3. Strengthen regulations: reduce transport times, establish mandatory maximum loading densities, equip vehicles with heating and cooling systems, train drivers and handlers on animal welfare and behaviour, prohibit electric prods.

You can read the full report at www.wspa.ca/curbthecruelty.