Horse Slaughter and Abattoirs in Canada

Horse slaughter for human consumption remains legal in Canada and is regulated within Canada’s food system.

Horses are food animals when entering this system

Once an equine is presented for slaughter for human consumption, food-safety requirements apply to the animal and the resulting meat.

Federal slaughter establishments

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency states that federally licensed operators conducting horse slaughter must comply with federal humane handling and slaughter requirements.

CFIA inspectors and veterinarians are present during federally regulated slaughter operations to verify compliance with applicable requirements.

Humane handling requirements apply

Operators are responsible for animal handling from arrival through slaughter and must have preventive controls addressing animal-welfare risks.

CFIA identifies considerations specific to horses, including appropriate handling and restraint facilities and secure footing.

Food-chain history matters

Horses presented for slaughter in Canada require an Equine Information Document or another applicable approved declaration process.

The documentation includes identification and medical-history information used to assess eligibility for the food chain.

Where does horse meat go?

CFIA states that horse meat is consumed in Canada and in markets in Europe, Asia and South America. Canadian horse meat can also be exported from federally licensed establishments.

What about Alberta?

The status and operating species of individual slaughter establishments can change. PureFarmFresh will identify Alberta facilities as horse processors only when current reliable information supports that classification.

We will not label an Alberta abattoir as a horse slaughter facility merely because it is licensed to process livestock generally.