Horse shipment to Japan target of complaint

An animal-rights organization has asked the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to investigate a recent shipment of live horses from Winnipeg to Japan by an exporter it has targeted in a private prosecution.

Animal Justice filed a legal complaint regarding a Jan. 22 flight that transported horses from Swan River-area exporter Carolyle Farms.

The organization wants the federal government agency to investigate whether the shipment unlawfully exceeded the 28-hour time limit that, under federal legislation, live horses are allowed to be in transport without food, water or rest.

It claims the outbound flight was delayed. It said the horses were sent to Japan to be slaughtered and eaten as a raw delicacy.

The group said documents obtained through an access to information request showed 99 horses were on the flight, with three per wooden crate.

Farm owner Lyle Lumax said Thursday that no one, including the CFIA, told him the flight was over the time limit.

A CFIA spokesperson confirmed the agency has received a letter from the organization about the Jan. 22 shipment.

“The CFIA will review the issues raised in the letter and any follow-up activities will be completed in accordance with the agency’s compliance and enforcement policy,” the spokesperson wrote in an email.

In February, a Manitoba provincial court judge allowed the organization to proceed with a charge against Carolyle Farms under federal Health of Animals Regulations.

That case stems from a Dec. 12, 2022, shipment of horses to Japan. The group pursued a private prosecution, after the CFIA did not proceed with enforcement action following their complaint.

The organization claims the flight unlawfully exceeded the 28-hour time limit due to a flight diversion. None of the allegations has been proven in court.

Lumax has said the shipment followed best practices, with input from the CFIA, Japanese officials and the plane company.

A federal bill to ban the air export of live horses for slaughter is making its way through Parliament.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca