Animals > Humane Transport  

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Transportation of Animals

As part of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Animal Health Program, the transportation of animals is regulated to prevent undue pain or suffering in animals used in food production.

Which laws ensure animals are transported properly?

Although provincial governments have the primary responsibility for the protection of animals, including on-farm conditions, Part XII of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Health of Animals Regulations defines conditions for the humane transportation of all animals in Canada by all modes of transport.

Some examples of the provisions contained in the regulations include the prohibition of overcrowding and the transportation of animals that are unfit to travel. Carriers cannot load, transport or unload animals in a way that would cause injury or undue suffering. The regulations also establish the requirements for provision of food, water, and rest at specific intervals; protection from adverse weather; adequate ventilation; use of proper containers and transport vehicles; and segregation of incompatible animals. Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials monitor compliance with the regulations through routine inspection at strategic locations (e.g. ports of entry, registered establishments, and auction markets) and by following up on reports of non-compliance.

Do the regulations include all aspects of transportation?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency regulations come into effect when the animal is loaded for transport and continue throughout its time in transit, including refueling periods and market auction stays, until the animal is unloaded at the final destination. If the animal is unloaded at a federally inspected slaughter plant, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s oversight includes its humane handling and slaughter under the Meat Inspection Act and Regulations.

Does the Canadian Food Inspection Agency enforce the Transportation of Animals Regulations?

Yes, compliance with the Health of Animals Regulations in mandatory and the active follow-up to complaints or inspections is critical to compliance. In cases of non-compliance with the regulations pertaining to the transportation of animals, there is a range of enforcement actions available to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Some of the options available include education, administrative monetary penalties and in very serious cases, prosecution in the courts. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency posts prosecution bulletins, including those relating to the transportation of animals, on its Web site.

How can I help?

Incidents pertaining to loading, unloading and transportation of animals, such as rough handling, inadequate weather protection, or overcrowding, should be reported to the nearest Canadian Food Inspection Agency office as soon as possible to enable an inspector to follow up on the complaint and gather facts regarding the incident. You can find the number of your local Canadian Food Inspection Agency office in the blue pages of your telephone directory.

What else does the Canadian Food Inspection Agency do to protect farm animals?

As a federal agency, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency serves all Canadians. Canadian Food Inspection Agency policies are science based and seek to reflect contemporary societal values and attitudes. Our concern for the welfare of farm animals and the belief that farm animals should be protected from suffering reflects the views of industry and the public.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency Humane Transportation Program promotes awareness regarding humane transport of animals through its policies and procedure documents such as the Transportation of Animals Manual of Procedures, which is distributed to all Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspectors, and the Spent Laying Hens Guidelines.

A Canadian Food Inspection Agency Air Transport Group addresses issues concerning the transportation of animals by air, e.g. stalls for horses, exposure to extreme weather during unloading and ground transport from aircraft, proper holding facilities at airports, the need for ground ventilation during refueling once the animals have left Canada.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency participated in the Farm Animal Welfare Consultations hosted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada which was held in September 2002. The proceedings of the consultation can be found on Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Web site

For more information on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s role, please see the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Fact Sheet on Animal Welfare.

Additional Resources:

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Fact Sheet on Animal Welfare

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency Prosecution Bulletins

• Recommended Code of Practice for Care and Handling of Farm Animals: Transportation

• Transportation of Animals Regulations, Part XII of the Health of Animals Regulations.