How the Recent U.S.-Canada-Mexico Tariffs Could Reshape the Horse Slaughter Industry

The recent escalation in trade tensions between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marked by the imposition of 25% tariffs, has ignited concerns across multiple industries. While discussions often focus on manufacturing and agriculture, one lesser-known but deeply concerning consequence is how these tariffs might impact the horse slaughter industry and the fate of American horses exported for slaughter.

Current State of U.S. Horse Exports for Slaughter

Since the closure of the last U.S.-based horse slaughter plants in 2007, the U.S. has exported tens of thousands of horses annually to slaughter plants in Canada and Mexico. These horses are primarily killed for human consumption, with their meat exported worldwide or used locally.

• In 2023, the U.S. exported 17,997 horses to Mexico for slaughter, marking the highest annual increase in live exports since 2012.
• In Canada, approximately 2,344 U.S. horses were slaughtered in 2023.
• The Canadian horse meat industry exports more than 85% of its product, with primary markets in Japan, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and Kazakhstan.
• In 2022, 2,600 Canadian horses were exported to Japan, valued at $19 million. Once in Japan, these horses are fattened for three months before slaughter, with their meat fetching up to $45 per kilogram.

Unlike cattle, none of the horses exported for slaughter were bred for human consumption. They were formerly racehorses, show horses, workhorses, and companion animals, opportunistically collected by kill buyers and redirected to slaughter.

How Tariffs Could Impact Horse Slaughter

The new tariffs affect live animal and meat exports, and the cost of exporting horses for slaughter may increase, altering the economic incentives in this trade.

1. Increased Costs Could Reduce U.S. Horse Exports

The higher cost of transportation and processing due to tariffs could make it less profitable for kill buyers to send horses to Mexico and Canada. This could result in:

• A decline in U.S. horse exports for slaughter as the financial incentive diminishes.
• More horses trapped in the slaughter pipeline with no immediate buyers, potentially leading to neglect, abandonment, or overburdened rescues.

2. Retaliatory Tariffs Could Further Disrupt the Industry

Both Canada and Mexico have implemented retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, which could include horse meat exports. If Canada and Mexico lose access to key international markets, demand for slaughtered horses may drop, reducing the incentive for importers to buy U.S. horses.

3. Potential Increase in Horse Exports to Other Countries

If U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico become less viable, kill buyers may look to ship horses to other countries with existing horse meat markets, such as:

• Japan (which already imports live horses from Canada)
• European countries (although EU regulations on horse meat traceability have become stricter)
• Kazakhstan (which has been increasing horse meat imports)

While exporting to new markets may seem like an alternative, it could increase the suffering of horses by subjecting them to even longer transportation times and more inhumane conditions before slaughter.

The Price of a Horse’s Life: A Decade of Financial Trends

The financial incentives behind horse slaughter have fluctuated over the past ten years, primarily driven by international demand, regulatory shifts, and operational costs.

Average Price per Pound Paid for Slaughter Horses (2013-2024)

• 2013-2015: Prices ranged between $0.35 and $0.55 per pound, as demand remained relatively stable.
• 2016-2018: Increased demand from European and Asian markets drove prices from $0.60 to $0.85 per pound.
• 2019-2021: Prices stabilized between $0.70 and $0.90 per pound, influenced by economic conditions and regulatory changes.
• 2022-2024: Prices surged from $0.80 to $1.10 per pound, reflecting rising demand, transportation expenses, and international trade dynamics.

These numbers demonstrate how the horse slaughter industry is driven by economic factors rather than necessity, making it vulnerable to disruptions like the newly imposed tariffs.

Legislative Efforts and the Future of Horse Slaughter

The Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act is currently in Congress. It aims to prohibit the export of U.S. horses for slaughter. If passed, this law would close the loophole that enables kill buyers to funnel American horses into the global meat trade.

However, without immediate action, every horse in the U.S. remains one bad sale away from slaughter, at the mercy of economic forces and international trade policies.

Conclusion: What Comes Next?

The recent tariffs have introduced a new layer of uncertainty to the horse slaughter industry. While they may decrease U.S. horse exports to Mexico and Canada, they do not eliminate the practice entirely. Instead, they could shift the trade to other countries or result in unintended consequences for horses left in limbo.

As policymakers, equine advocates, and the public navigate these changes, one thing remains clear: the U.S. must finally take responsibility for its horses and end the slaughter pipeline once and for all.