OTTAWA, October 31, 2011: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is implementing new measures to verify that horses are being humanely transported in accordance with the Health of Animals Regulations.
Effective January 1, 2012, all shipments of feeder and slaughter horses entering Canada from the United States by ground transportation will be required to proceed through designated ports of entry. Shipments will only be accepted during the CFIA's regular hours of operation.
The designated ports of entry have appropriate unloading facilities for horses and are staffed by CFIA veterinarians.
As of January 1, 2012, shipments of feeder and slaughter horses will not be able to enter Canada at other border ports of entry.
The new requirements apply only to feeder and slaughter horses. Imports of other types of horses (for example, riding or breeding horses) and other types of livestock are not affected by this change.
Feeder horse shipments require customs clearance from the Canada Border Services Agency and may be referred to the CFIA for inspection. All shipments must be presented during CFIA regular hours of operation in order to allow for inspection if required.
Slaughter horse shipments require CFIA veterinary inspection at the border. Transporters must arrange an appointment for inspection a minimum of 24 hours before arriving at the port of entry.
The eight designated ports of entry are listed below.
| Canadian Food Inspection Agency Port of Entry: | Corresponding US Port of Entry: |
|---|---|
| Kingsgate, British Columbia 250-417-2293 Monday to Friday, 8 am. to 4 p.m. |
Eastport, Idaho 208-267-2396 |
| Coutts, Alberta 403-344-3808 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
Sweetgrass, Montana 406-335-9610 |
| North Portal, Saskatchewan 306-927-2255 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.* |
Portal, North Dakota 701-926-4281 |
| Sarnia (Point Edward), Ontario 519-332-3031 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
Port Huron, Michigan 517-324-5298 |
| Windsor, Ontario 519-969-2522 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
Detroit, Michigan 313-226-4428 |
| Niagara Falls (Queenston), Ontario 905-937-7434 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
Lewiston, New York 716-297-6203 |
| Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec 450-246-4125 Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Champlain, New York 518-298-2191 |
| Woodstock, New Brunswick 506-325-1960 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Houlton, Maine 207-532-6099 |