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Rabbit Advocacy Animal Matters
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Canadian Lambs to Slaughter: Killings Too Cruel for Australia but A-OK for Canada? December 2, 2013 By Twyla Francois mfablog.ca Last month, for the first time in Singapore, 500 Canadian lambs were killed in the annual korban ritual during Hari Raya Haji celebrations. The ritual killing takes place at mosques and religious schools and has been increasingly criticized due to animal welfare concerns. The animals slaughtered are primarily goats and sheep who are killed by having their throats cut while fully conscious. Traditionally, untrained members of the public in numbers of up to 120 carry out the killing, sawing through the necks of terror-stricken, suffering animals. In 2012, all of the animals killed in Singapore during the event were imported from Australia. Following international outrage after the conditions of the killing were exposed, the Australian government imposed new regulations on foreign livestock exporters. The new rules require more space for each animal in the holding pens, allow only trained personnel to carry out the slaughter, and require that the knife used be twice the length of the animal's neck. The 16 mosques in Singapore where korban took place in October of 2013 were audited in April and July by the Australian government, which approved the export of 2,000 sheep, but only at the last minute. Identifying a need for a more reliable supply chain, the Singapore Mosques Korban Committee (JKMS)--the body that organizes the event--explored Canada as an additional source of sacrificial animals. The Canadian federal government happily obliged and 500 lambs were shipped "to test the new supply chain." According to a media statement by the JKMS, "Korban using Canadian lambs are not subjected to ESCAS audit" (i.e., the new Australian regulations). New Zealand has already banned the live export of animals for slaughter, and Australia appears well on its way to doing the same. Our federal government's ever-increasing quest for greater profit through expanded export agreements has become a race to the bottom for the welfare of Canada's farmed animals. You can help prevent the merciless slaughter of animals--ceremonious or unceremonious--by transitioning to a plant-based diet. To learn how, go to ChooseVeg.ca. Support the Right to Rescue Help the whistleblowers facing prison time for exposing factory farm abuses and rescuing suffering animals. January 17, 2014 Please join our new Facebook page, Canadians Against Live Export Take action - Write to your MP: Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Baird john.baird@parl.gc.ca Minister of International Trade, Ed Fast ed.fast@parl.gc.ca For the current status of Canadian politicians see: Members of Parliament, Canada
November 23, 2018 Canada Has Long Exported Animal Cruelty By The Millions (excerpt) The transportation of farmed animals over long distances, most frequently by ship, has received significant scrutiny from animal advocacy organizations and society in general since the first evidence of what animals endure during the journey began appearing in 2003. In response to growing public concern and scrutiny, some of the largest exporting countries have ended the practice, sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently. New Zealand effectively banned live export for the purpose of slaughter in 2007 after it was exposed that 4,000 sheep died on a ship bound for Saudi Arabia some years earlier. Australian authorities have temporarily suspended live exports to a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia in 2003, Egypt in 2006, Indonesia in 2011, Gaza in 2013, Jordan in 2014, and specific facilities in Vietnam in 2016. Each suspension followed the release of footage showing inhumane transport conditions or horrific abuse in slaughterhouses upon arrival at the country of destination. Although less widely known, Canada is one of the world's leading exporters of live animals and animal products. In 2014, Canada was the world's fifth-largest exporter of agriculture and agri-foods. Last year alone, Canada exported over 24 million live animals. Chicks and turkey poults accounted for the vast majority at over 17 million, with other young animals, such as calves and piglets, also intended for fattening, generally in the US, accounting for another nearly five million. The remaining two million animals endured the longest journeys, travelling thousands of kilometres by ship or cargo plane to countries where few to no animal welfare regulations exist. Not included in this already staggering statistic are the nearly 40 million fertilized eggs of various species exported by Canada. Information on what becomes of these birds seems particularly elusive, but may include a delicacy called balut, whereby a bird embryo (usually a duck) close to hatching is boiled alive and eaten from the shell. And the numbers continue to rise. The Canadian government announced in its 2017 budget its intention to increase overall agricultural exports by 40 per cent by 2025. Along with animal products, the goal includes expanding the number of live animals exported. Canadian politicians and industry leaders are particularly keen on expanding market shares in China. The agricultural press excitedly covers trade mission after trade mission with industry representatives joining federal ministers on expensive trips abroad. Just last week, the chair of Canadian Pork International accompanied Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay on a 10-day trade mission to China. Comment: Canada’s federal government routinely sacrifices animal welfare and bows to industry in its relentless pursuit of profit. Meanwhile, the inhumane treatment of farm animals is resonating with ordinary Canadians, many of whom have and are modifying their diets to reflect their moral values. June 14, 2019 Compassion in World Farming Campaign -- Stop Live Export: International Awareness Day. Every year, millions of animals are exported on horrific journeys to countries in the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and other nations. Many of them die from dehydration, starvation, disease or being trampled to death before even reaching the final destination. Once there, many will face unimaginably inhumane slaughter by often unskilled workers. This trade must end on legal and moral grounds. In Canada, contact Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Marie-Claude.Bibeau@parl.gc.ca and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau PM@pm.gc.ca Take action - For the current status of Canadian politicians see: Members of Parliament, Canada Return to our Factory Farming Page Visit our Facebook page, Canadians Against Live Export |