Actress and model Bo Derek has helped launch an effort to prevent horses from being slaughtered for meat in Canada, AFP reported.

The campaign, sponsored by the Canadian Horse Defense Coalition, has been prompted by the end of horse slaughter for meat in the United States (See Final blow for Illinois horse slaughter plant? on Meatingplace.com, Sept. 24, 2007.), which activists say has led to U.S. animals being sold at auction and then shipped to Canada for slaughter.

Derek, who owns five horses and has been active in protesting horsemeat in the United States, said the lack of U.S. legislation against shipping horses for meat could lead to the slaughter of 100,000 animals in Canada this year.

By Ann Bagel Storck on 1/16/2008 for Meatingplace.com