New Canadian horse processing regulations could slow the flow of U.S. horses to slaughter plants there, say equine welfare advocates.

Last month the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) advised all Canadian owners of horses that could be sold for processing to keep detailed records of their equines’ vaccinations, medications, and illnesses (see their statement). The information will be necessary beginning July 31 when all horses processed in Canadian plants must be free of chemical substances banned by European Union (EU) food inspection regulations. Undocumented horses brought to slaughter in Canada will be quarantined for six months.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs phenylbutazone ("Bute") and flunixin (Banamine), and sedative acepromazine are among the banned drugs.

Canada is a major destination for slaughter-bound horses from the United States since state actions eliminated horse processing in 2007. According to CFIA records, 56% of the 93,812 horses processed in Canada in 2009 were imported from the United States