Jann Arden is in Vancouver for an information session on her advocacy for putting an end to live export of horses for meat.
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Jann Arden is in Vancouver on Friday night asking Canadians to “say neigh to live horse export.”
“In the radio and TV world we refer to the campaign as “horse’s hit,” to risk offending anyone and I like that,” said Arden. “This is a practice that was banned in the U.S. in 2003 and there is a small group of individuals here who are purpose-breeding animals in feed lots for live export at around 18 to 22 months when they reach 1,500 to 2,200 pounds. This has nothing to do with domestic slaughter, which we don’t even address.”
The live horse meat trade to Japan dominates this figure, where the meat is served raw in a dish known as basashi. This delicacy that can cost $22-per-ounce at high-end basashi izakaya restaurants. Basashi is not widely consumed.
CIFA data reports that approximately 50,000 horses have been exported to Japan since 2013. Data on the number of deaths in transit is under review. Arden says such a lack of transparency in figures and industry practice contribute to the continuing campaign against live horse exports.
Arden agrees to disagree.
“I don’t have a problem with domestic slaughter,” she said. “Importers and exporters kind of agree on a rough number of 25 to 30 per cent as an acceptable loss in live animals to reach their destinations. This campaign has been pounding this messaging for over eight years and now we have all these major players in and a mainstream sensibility that people are going: it’s not right.”
Friday’s event will also include an appearance by Matilda, a trained Clydesdale therapy horse and acting ‘spokeshorse.’ Organizers say that the purpose is to promote open dialogue around the issue of live horse exports.