Report Alleges Ongoing Suffering in Horse Trade

Why It Matters

The ongoing welfare failures expose gaps in Canada’s export oversight and could trigger stricter regulation or a ban, affecting a multi‑million‑dollar industry and international trade relations.

Key Takeaways

• Nine horses died, 29 collapsed, 290+ injured in 2024‑25 shipments.
• Exporters often under‑report incidents; Canadian records miss many deaths.
• 2,512 horses worth ~US 14 million exported to Japan in 2023.
• Bill C‑355 to ban live horse exports stalled, prompting public pressure.

Pulse Analysis

The Canadian live‑horse export market, driven by Japan’s demand for basashi (horse sashimi), ships roughly 2,500 animals each year from Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. Valued at about US 14 million annually, the trade relies on air freight that can exceed the legally permitted 28‑hour window without food, water or rest. Recent data from Japanese quarantine officials show a troubling pattern of mortality and injury that contradicts Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reports, suggesting systemic under‑reporting.

Animal welfare advocates point to cramped wooden crates, lack of hydration, and the physiological stress of prolonged flight as root causes of the documented suffering. Horses can become severely dehydrated within 10‑15 hours, yet many shipments extend well beyond that threshold, leading to collapses, bleeding injuries and cases of “shipping fever.” The report highlights discrepancies between exporter filings and Japanese records, with at least 22 deaths in 2023‑24 omitted from Canadian databases, raising questions about the effectiveness of self‑reporting compliance mechanisms.

Politically, the findings have reignited debate over Bill C‑355, legislation intended to ban live‑horse exports that stalled in the Senate after a 2025 election call. High‑profile Canadians and animal‑rights groups are pressuring Prime Minister Mark Carney to act, arguing that public sentiment overwhelmingly opposes the practice. Should the government move toward a ban, exporters could face significant revenue loss, prompting a shift toward alternative protein markets or stricter welfare‑focused supply chains, while Japan may need to source horse meat from other regions or adjust culinary traditions.