September 8, 2023, Ottawa
Following an investigation, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has laid 11 charges under the Safe Food for Canadians Act and regulations and the Health of Animals Act and regulations against Bouvry Exports Calgary Ltd., located in Fort Macleod, Alberta.
The following charges were laid under section 39(1) of the Safe Food for Canadians Act, on July 17, 2023, for alleged contraventions of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations described below:
- 4 alleged contraventions of section 88 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations which stipulates that any person who is required to prepare, keep and maintain a preventive control plan must implement that plan
- This includes programs for animal identification and welfare
- 1 alleged contravention of section 129 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations for failing to handle a food animal in a manner that does not cause it avoidable suffering, injury or death
- 1 alleged contravention of section 130(1) of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations which requires that a licence holder must assess whether a food animal is showing signs of suffering or injury on its arrival at the establishment
- 1 alleged contravention of section 130(4) of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations which requires that if a food animal is showing signs of suffering, the licence holder must immediately alleviate its suffering, humanely kill it or slaughter it in accordance with the regulations
- 1 alleged contravention of section 165(1)(a) and 1 charge under section 165(1)(b) of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations which establish requirements to obtain documentation related to animal identification, ownership and the last location where the animal was raised
- 1 alleged contravention of section 165(1)(h)(i) of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations which requires that the holder of a licence to slaughter obtain, from the person who owned or had the possession, care or control of the food animal before its arrival at the establishment, documents providing information about the last 180 days of the life of an equine, the name of any disease or syndrome that was diagnosed or a description of any deviation from normal behavior, physiology or appearance
Two charges were laid under section 65(1) of the Health of Animals Act for alleged contraventions of subsections 140(1)(c) and 140(1)(d) of the Health of Animals Regulations which establish requirements for the humane handling and transportation of a compromised animal.
All of the above charges are related to activities of Bouvry Exports Calgary Ltd. that occurred in July 2021. The accused party appeared in provincial court in Fort Macleod, Alberta on August 16, 2023.
The CFIA is responsible for the administration and enforcement of federal legislation, acts, and regulations. The CFIA is dedicated to safeguarding food, animal, and plant health, which enhances the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment, and economy.
The CFIA informs the public when charges have been laid by its Enforcement and Investigation Services (EIS). Charges are laid by EIS after the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) decides to prosecute the charges. This notice is part of a commitment to openness and transparency and ongoing efforts to increase awareness of the CFIA's role in encouraging compliance with the various acts and regulations. In all cases, the subject of charges is presumed innocent until proven guilty.