Ottawa, ON – The 2010 Equine Canada Annual Convention is to be held February 1-8, 2010 at Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. The Breeds & Industry Delegate Assembly, scheduled for Saturday, February 6th, will include a presentation session to inform members about Equine Canada’s strategy for a national equine identification and traceability system.

Equine Canada recommends that convention participants make time to attend the important information session in light of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announcement on January 29th regarding a new Meat Hygiene Directive for horses. The CFIA announcement outlines new record-keeping requirements for horses presented for slaughter at federally-inspected facilities starting on July 31, 2010.

The CFIA characterizes these new requirements as “the first step in the development of a comprehensive food safety and traceability program for the Canadian equine industry.” This CFIA Information Bulletin coincides with previous announcements from Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) that outline the Government of Canada’s commitment to the development of a national livestock traceability system for Canada by 2013.

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