IMPORTANT UPDATE: LES VIANDES DE LA PETITE-NATION SLAUGHTER PLANT TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Les Viandes de la
Petite-Nation Inc. slaughter house in Quebec has been temporarily
closed, with inspections and audits being conducted at the plant by the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). La Petite-Nation (LPN) was the
subject of the December 2011 investigative report by the Canadian Horse
Defence Coalition (CHDC) entitled “Pasture to Plate: The True Cost of
Canada’s Horsemeat Industry”: http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/lpn.html.
The report cites numerous
violations underCanada’s Meat Inspection Act, the World Organisation for
Animal Health (OIE) animal welfare standards, cruelty violations, as
well as reveals a flawed Equine Identification Documents system. LPN is
one of two plants operating in Quebec, and one of four plants operating
in Canada.
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2012
From: Brian Evans <Brian.Evans@inspection.gc.ca>
To: Sinikka Crosland <sinikka@defendhorsescanada.org>
Sinikka
Thank you for your email inquiry.
With respect to Les Viandes de la Petite-Nation Inc., I am informed by Quebec Operations the enhanced inspection, verification and audit activities on the part of the CFIA continue and it is my understanding that the establishment has indicated its intent to temporarily suspend its operations. With respect to Viandes Richelieu I am advised its status is not changed.
Kind regards
Dr. Brian Evans
(613) 773-5236 / (613) 773-5763
Brian.Evans@inspection.gc.ca
We are seeking further information from Dr. Evans on La Petite Nation’s closure. In January 2012, the CHDC wrote to Dr. Evans to follow up on the Pasture to Plate report, since there had been no acknowledgement or communication of any kind from the CFIA on the violations that are occurring at the plant. Dr. Evans’ reply indicated that he would involve Quebec operations regarding horse slaughter violations and tracking system deficiencies at LPN:
http://canadianhorsedefencecoalition.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/dr-evans-of-the-cfia-responds/.
The CHDC finds it questionable that LPN has closed operations voluntarily, yet the CFIA is conducting inspections and audits there. It is our opinion that findings from the Pasture to Plate report has prompted the CFIA to take measures to somehow try to improve conditions at LPN, but this fourth investigative report on Canadian slaughterhouses proves, once again, that horses cannot be humanely slaughtered in assembly line situations. We continue to ask the CFIA, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Canadian government to close all horse slaughter plants permanently.
Day 2 Horse 8
I am very glad to be informed that the Les Viandes de la Petite Nation has been shut down for the time being. We need more people to voice the truth and stand up for what is right. - Anonwarriorman
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