Humane Slaughter of Food Animals in Canada: Fact Sheet

The humane slaughter of all species of food animals in federally registered slaughter establishments is regulated to prevent suffering.

Which laws govern the humane slaughter of food animals?

The federal government is responsible for regulating the humane slaughter of food animals in federally registered establishments.

• Meat from animals slaughtered at federally registered plants can be sold across provincial and international borders.
• Meat from animals slaughtered at provincial plants (and regulated by provincial governments) can be sold only within the same province.

Sections 61 to 80 of the Meat Inspection Regulations define the conditions for the humane slaughter of all species of food animals in federally registered establishments. Some of the provisions contained in the regulations include

• guidelines and procedures for the proper unloading, holding and movement of animals in slaughter facilities;
• requirements for the segregation and handling of sick or injured animals; and
• laws for the humane slaughter of food animals.

What role does the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) play in the humane slaughter of food animals?

After a food animal arrives at a federally registered slaughter establishment, the CFIA oversees its humane handling, unloading and slaughter under the authority of the Meat Inspection Act and the Meat Inspection Regulations.

CFIA inspectors, including veterinarians, are on-site during operations at federally registered establishments to verify that food safety, animal welfare and humane handling requirements are being met.

What role do the provincial and territorial governments play in the humane slaughter of food animals?

Each province and territory is responsible for animal welfare on farms and the humane slaughter of food animals in their registered slaughter establishments.

What role does industry play in the humane slaughter of food animals?

While CFIA inspectors, including veterinarians, are on-site to verify compliance with the regulations through spot checks done several times a day, the establishments themselves are responsible for the well-being of the animals under their care.

Humane slaughter is a licensing requirement for federally registered establishments. In order to obtain a licence, an establishment is required to do the following:

• implement an effective animal welfare program
• provide adequate training for its staff
• maintain its equipment and its handling facilities
• monitor for problems and take corrective action when required

What does the CFIA do to verify the humane treatment of food animals?

As a federal agency, the CFIA serves all Canadians. As such, its policies reflect contemporary societal values and attitudes. The CFIA also participates in international standard-setting forums. Because of this, its policies must be science based and must meet international standards.

The humane treatment of animals at slaughter is a requirement of licensing for federally registered establishments. CFIA inspectors verify industry’s animal transport, handling, stunning and slaughter practices to determine that they are complying with the regulations.

The CFIA continually reviews new science and adjusts policies and programs as required to reflect this.

The CFIA is consolidating the regulatory requirements for the humane slaughter of all species into Chapter 12 of the Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures.

Chapter 12 is being introduced as a pilot project in slaughter establishments, by species, beginning with horse slaughter establishments. Operators of federally registered establishments will be required to develop, implement and maintain a written animal welfare program for each species they process, ensuring compliance with industry performance standards and regulatory requirements.

The revised chapter 12 will

• interpret the Meat Inspection Act and the Health of Animals Act and their regulations for greater compliance and consistency; and
• combine all animal welfare regulatory requirements in the Manual of Procedures, in order to make the document easier for industry and CFIA staff to use.