Canadians Speak Out Against the Slaughter of Horses

August 19, 2004 -- Recent surveys taken of Canadians show that 2/3 are opposed to horses being slaughtered for human consumption, yet thousands of equines are awaiting death in feedlots throughout the country. Many of these are from the PMU industry. PMU stands for Pregnant Mare Urine, which is used by pharmaceutical companies in the making of certain hormone replacement therapy. Currently there is controversy surrounding these drugs and their possible side effects to women. This has caused the companies to begin closing some farms that produced the urine for the products. However, the industry has been under scrutiny since many of the foals produced by the industry have ended up in slaughter since they are considered, by most in the industry, a byproduct of the industry even before the latest side effects were announced.

According to a poll conducted on behalf of British Columbia. based The Responsible Animal Care Society (TRACS) by Ipsos Reid Company, two-thirds (64%) of adult Canadians "do not believe in the slaughter of Canadian horses for human consumption".

Poll respondents were told "Government statistics show that in 2003 more than 61,000 horses were slaughtered in Canada for human consumption or shipped out of the country for the same purpose." And 33% adult Canadians stated that they "do believe in the slaughter of Canadian horses for human consumption". Three percent have no opinion on this issue.

While a slight majority of Quebec residents say they "believe" in the slaughter of Canadian horses for human consumption (53% believe vs. 47% do not believe). The majority of residents from other provinces "do not believe" in the slaughter of Canadian horses for human consumption (77% Atlantic, 73% Ontario, 69% British Columbia, 62% Alberta, 56% Manitoba/Saskatchewan). A majority of residents in all other socio-economic and demographic groups "do not believe" in the slaughter of Canadian horses for human consumption. Opposition to the slaughter is higher amongst women (73% vs. 55% men), younger residents (69% 18-34 years vs. 59% 35-54 years), lower income residents (74% vs. 58% higher) and less educated residents (75% less than high school, 69% high school vs. 64% some post-sec, 57% university graduates).

Even with these amazing statistics available, recent investigations from Feb. 2004 show that the feedlots were full of horses, many Belgian Draft Horses and crosses. According to a contact Alberta, there are over 27,000 horses currently in feedlots in that province alone.

Wyeth Pharmaceutical is the largest pharmaceutical company that uses the urine in manufacturing their hormone replacement products. The biggest seller is Premerine and its alternatives, PremPro and PremPhase. When reports of possible side effects of the medications surfaced and with the availability of synthetic alternatives, the products suffered a dramatic decline in demand. Wyeth began to cut production and releasing farms from their program. At this time Wyeth released statements to the media and to the horse world that they would provide for the displaced horses to find them homes to avoid their slaughter. "However, thus far, aside from their Equine Placement Fund that really only takes care of a drop in the bucket", according to Trina Bellak president of the American Horse Defense Fund, "Wyeth Pharmaceuticals has done nothing to show responsibility for the lives of the industry horses." "Its a real shame that Wyeth who has made literally billions on these drugs on the backs of these horses, cannot find the decency to fund their retirement or new homes and fund the commitment they made." said Bellak.

The American Horse Defense Fund has joined with Canadians interested in ending horse slaughter for human consumption to form the Canadian Horse Defense Coalition. The Coalition is a collective group of Canadian humane organizations and horse people who are working to end horse slaughter and to ban the transport of horses for slaughter. The Canadian Horse Coalition welcomes groups not only from Canada, but also from all over the world. For more information on the group and its work, the group now has a website that those interested may access at www.defendhorsescanada.org. For those interested in ending slaughter in the United States or for information about the PMU industry, you may access the American Horse Defense Fund at www.ahdf.org. You may also join the AHDF for its National Hill Day event on the 8th of September in Washington, DC.

AHDF is an equine protection organization that works on national, regional and state issues and policies relating to the protection and well being of horses, both wild and domesticated. It is recognized as the leading national nonprofit that focuses solely on the welfare of horses and issues specific to this beautiful animal. The AHDF offers annual riding trips and vacations that educate about the wild horse as well as domestic horse ownership. For information about issues relating to horses and horse welfare e-mail ahdforg@aol.com or misfitranchtn@wmconnect.com



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