A recent probe conducted by animal welfare activists has unveiled ongoing suffering experienced by horses transported for slaughter in Japan, prompting renewed calls for Canada to prohibit these shipments. Kaitlyn Mitchell, the legal advocacy director at Animal Justice, highlighted the continued deaths and collapses of horses during flights, emphasizing the inhumane nature of shipping horses from rural areas to Japan for slaughter.
While retired Conservative senator Donald Plett opposes a ban on these shipments, he advocates for enhanced reporting standards and accountability when horses are harmed or perish. In 2023, Statistics Canada reported that 2,512 horses were exported to Japan for slaughter, valued at $19 million. The industry involves several export firms and numerous producers, primarily in Alberta but also in Manitoba and Ontario.
Horsemeat, a delicacy in Japan, is consumed raw as sashimi. Animal Justice and the Life Investigation Agency (LIA) in Japan reviewed government records from 18 shipments carrying approximately 1,822 horses from Edmonton and Winnipeg between September 2024 and September 2025. Their analysis revealed nine horse fatalities due to illness or injury during transport, with nearly 300 other horses suffering various ailments such as lacerations, swollen abdomen, and fever.
Despite discrepancies between Japanese and Canadian records, which failed to document some deaths and injuries, there remains a push for more transparency and oversight in the industry. Mitchell emphasized the need for stricter regulations and comprehensive monitoring to ensure the welfare of transported horses.
Efforts to address these concerns have included proposed legislation to ban live horse exports for slaughter and legal actions against entities failing to uphold proper transport standards. The debate surrounding horse shipments to Japan continues, with stakeholders advocating for better safeguards and potential regulatory changes to protect these animals during transport.