Bouvry Export's Fort Macleod plant in Alberta has permanently closed, leaving only one horse slaughterhouse in Canada, located in Quebec. The closure, which occurred in July 2025, was confirmed by Eliot Bouvry of the family-run business.
Reasons for Closure
Bouvry cited several factors behind the difficult decision, including high cattle prices and financial losses. 'The business is really tough. The price of cattle is really high. Plants are kind of in the red,' he said, adding that there is 'plenty of misinformation' about why the plant closed.
Impact on Horse Welfare
With the Fort Macleod plant closed, horses destined for slaughter must now be transported to the company's facility in Quebec. Bouvry noted that this is not better for the animals, but emphasized that unwanted horses 'have to go somewhere.' He stated that the company provides an alternative for people who want to get rid of their horses.
Bouvry also clarified that the company has not exported live horses overseas for the past five or six years, countering what he called a false presumption.
Regulatory History
In 2023, Bouvry Exports Calgary Ltd. faced 11 charges under the Safe Food for Canadians Act and the Health of Animals Act. Last year, the company was fined $17,000 for failing to implement its preventative control plan. All other charges were withdrawn.
Reactions from Animal Advocates
The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition celebrated the closure as 'another step forward' toward ending horse slaughter in Canada. However, the coalition noted that work remains, as horses from across Canada and the U.S. will continue to be transported to Quebec for slaughter. They also called for an end to the live export of draft horses to Japan.
Animal Justice has launched a petition urging the Canadian government to ban the export of live horses for slaughter. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 2,408 horses were exported to Japan from July 2024 to June 2025, with no deaths or serious injuries reported. The previous year saw 763 more horses exported, with one death and eight serious injuries.
