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National Anti Snaring Campaign

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BRIGHTON ANIMAL ACTION

Campaign for the Abolition of Animal Slavery

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Labour 'will drop pledge on banning battery hens'

Labour's promise to ban the battery farming of hens is set to be dropped, according to a leaked Whitehall letter. Ministers had planned to outlaw the practice by 2012. But in an 'outrageous' U-turn officials have written to other European governments, which were also due to stop battery farming under an EU directive, saying the ban should not be enforced. They claim that farmers do not have the time or money to change their buildings – despite the ban first being promised in 1999 – and that the move will lead to a shortage of eggs. Animal rights campaigners have accused the Government of scaremongering tactics and say reneging on the ban will condemn millions of hens to misery. The tiny battery cages prevent birds from performing natural activities such as foraging and nesting. Hens routinely have the tips of their beaks sheared off with a hot wire to prevent the frustrated animals pecking each other. The secret plan to renege on the ban is contained in a leaked letter from Defra. Senior official Richard Jones writes that the economic downturn has prevented farmers converting their buildings and argues a ban 'may severely damage the EU industry by causing a massive shortage of eggs'. The letter says farmers should be allowed to battery farm hens after 2012 provided the eggs are sold only in their national markets. Philip Lymbery, chief executive of Compassion in World Farming, said the move would reward farmers who have dragged their feet in phasing out the cruel practice. CIWF's Peter Stevenson added: 'The whole idea they have not had enough time to prepare for these changes is just outrageous. 'It is nothing other than scare mongering to claim there will be a shortage of eggs.'  Mail 1^st Jan

Slaughtermen suspended after expose
An Ashburton abattoir could face prosecution and has had 3 of its slaughtermen suspended after an undercover investigation by Animal Aid. The 3 employees were recorded on film at Tom Lang Ltd, Gages Farm, Buckfastleigh Rad, between Oct 19 & Nov 3 slaughtering sheep and pigs. The national campaign group claims its film shows livestock being 'kicked, slapped, thrown and improperly stunned at the Soil Association approved abattoir'. Steve McGrath, chief executive of the Meat Hygiene Service, said the Government body had 'acted quickly' when Animal Aid provided them with footage filmed at the slaughterhouse. A spokesman for the meat hygiene inspectors confirmed that one of the breaches of welfare regulations on the film was that the heads of 6 sheep were removed before they had been left to bleed for a minimum of 20 seconds. "We suspended 3 slaughterers immediately and evidence to support a potential prosecution of the slaughterhouse operator and slaughterers is being collated," added Mr. McGrath. The hygiene inspectors have installed a raft of measures since. Senior vets have visited the abattoir and additional staff have been installed on a temporary basis in the slaughterhouse to 'ensure standards of slaughtering are acceptable'. The agency's on site vet is also making additional random checks on slaughtering. The abattoir is now working with the hygiene inspectorate to ensure any similar incidents do not happen again and has employed a foreman to supervise operations and is installing CCTV to record the slaughtering process. Andrew Tyler, director of Animal Aid, said "Just because pigs and sheep aren't kept as pets, it doesn't mean they don't suffer like dogs and cats. They can sense the slaughterhouse environment is a very bad place for them to be. If, in addition, they are treated callously in the process of being killed, it is a nightmare for them. You can see the distress in the footage. I think it is for people who do eat meat to take a look at this footage and make a judgement as to whether it is fair that animals should be treated in this fashion. We think it is thoroughly immoral ThisisSouthDevon 17 Dec

Songbirds killed and eaten
More than 1m songbirds are being killed and eaten every year in Cyprus. Trappers, often petty criminals linked to organised crime, use pieces of wood coated with glue that often rip feathers from the birds as they struggle to escape. Robins, song thrushes and other birds are then sold to restaurants where they are made into a Cypriot delicacy of pickled or boiled birds known as ‘ambelopoulia’. A helping for one person could be up to a dozen birds. The traditional dish was first eaten centuries ago when it was difficult to get any other meat in Cyprus and has remained popular ever since, despite the demise in songbirds. In fact the RSPB suspect the number of birds being trapped and killed has increased as organised gangs have started to move into the lucrative business. This autumn the RSPB estimated 700,000 birds were trapped, an increase of around 30 % from recent years. The birds are migrating to Cyprus for Christmas to escape winter in the Ukraine and other areas of N.E. Europe, rather than Britain.  However one of the trapping hot spots is on the British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekalia. Hundreds of thousands of British tourists also stay near where the birds are trapped. Tim Stowe, of the RSPB, said the trapping is an "industrial exercise that involves planting and irrigating acacia forests to attract the birds. The birds are then either trapped in their hundreds in mesh nets or caught on ‘traditional’ limesticks coated with glue a concoction made from locally occurring fruits. He said the British authorities should be helping to stamp out the illegal activity on their doorstep. For this to be going on in an area supposedly controlled by the British authorities is unbelievable and unacceptable." Telegraph 23 Dec

Call for monks to close farm
PETA is calling for a Rogersville monastery to shut down its farming operation, alleging its practices are inhumane to animals and contrary to Catholic beliefs. Our Lady of Calvary Abbey, a Trappist monastery, operates a factory farm that confines hundreds of thousands of chickens to massive sheds in deplorable conditions. PETA claim they were alerted by Catholic members in New Brunswick to investigate the operation. "Sadly, the abbey is treating these animals in a way that would warrant cruelty charges if they were dogs or cats rather than chickens and cows, it's a denial of God to treat God's creatures with such complete apathy for their welfare and that is what these monks are doing." PETA objects to the standards of all factory farm chicken operations in Canada and has had success in targeting similar practices in another monastery in the USA. Following PETA's 2007 release of an investigation of Mepkin Abbey factory farm, the S. Carolina monastery started growing mushrooms instead. "We urge members of the Our Lady of Calvary community to follow their brothers' example and switch to an income generating industry that does not include the use of animals. Catholic catechism, the Bible and common sense all dictate that animals are granted compassion." Monastery Abbot Bede Stockill comments: "Please note that we follow all government and veterinary approved methods in our farming,"  He declined to comment on whether the monastery is looking into alternative practices and would not grant a phone interview. The monastery operates a dairy farm and roughly 350 acres of pasture and crop fields, raising broiler chickens for roasting, and chicks until they are ready to lay eggs for another producer. Roughly 240,000 broilers and about 60,000 chicks are also raised up to laying hen size each year. The farm also has 75 mature cows, 40 heifers and 15 calves. Friedrich said PETA contacted the abbey directly in July about the farm operation. "We had a very unsuccessful and frustrating exchange of emails, the abbey continues to insist they are considering our request." Friedrich admitted that the farm is within provincial and federal regulations, but that those standards are deplorable to anyone who witnesses them. They are also contrary to Catholic beliefs. "Anybody who spends 30 seconds thinking about it knows that chickens should not be crammed into sheds, around excrement, unable to do anything that is natural to them." Telegraph Journal 11 Dec

Netherlands to slaughter more animals in Q fever epidemic
The Netherlands has stepped up measures against the world's biggest Q fever epidemic that has killed 10 humans, by ordering the slaughter of over 30,000 animals. The ministry of agriculture announced the "preventative slaughter" of 34,000 expectant goats and ewes, and 1,200 billy goats who will be killed too as they can transmit the infection through their sperm. Q fever, found in 55 Dutch farms so far, has killed 6 people in 2009 and Dutch authorities say 10 farm workers have died in total since the fever appeared in 2007 in the south of the country. The slaughter had involved 15,000-20,000 non vaccinated expectant goats, but this has now been extended to vaccinated animals in an attempt to limit the spread of bacteria when animals give birth or during forced abortions. The slaughter accounts for more than half the livestock from the 55 infected farms, mostly situated in the southern Brabant province. The authorities warn that the slaughter will now be carried out in all farms where the infection is found. All reproductive activity in ovine and caprine farms is forbidden until July 2010 and reproduction between animals in the infected farms has been banned for life. An obligatory animal vaccination campaign was launched at the start of 2009 in the Netherlands, but due to a lack of vaccine it was not able to cover the whole country. In humans the symptoms of Q fever are similar to flu. The Independent 17 Dec

An average N. American eats 3 times more meat than the average European. The USA feeds its cattle mostly on soya protein. Therefore, if the USA reduced its meat intake by a 3^rd (still twice as much as a European) it would, effectively, release enough soya protein to feed the entire population of the world.  Of course it's all GM Soya these days so who'd want it now? In the UK we feed 80% of our root crops to cattle. As we only get 10% back in food, if we gave up meat and ate the crops ourselves then we could have a huge land area set aside for nature. Cows and other animals could roam free.  Food crisis?

Judicial Review

The Badger Trust is applying for a Judicial Review of the decision made in Sept 2009 by the Welsh Assembly Government (W.A.G.) to include the killing of badgers in its bovine tuberculosis eradication scheme. The Badger Trust challenges the legality of the decision.  The Badger Trust has exchanged several letters before action with the W.A.G.’s legal department to state its case and clarify the W.A.G.’s intentions. However, there have been considerable delays in receiving answers from the W.A.G. and the 3-month time limit is about to expire. The Badger Trust has been advised that further delay could risk the application being declined. However, the W.A.G. says its Sept announcement did not amount to a decision and that the Badger Trust’s challenge would be premature. If the Badger Trust’s application were refused on these or any other grounds, they could still make a further application, but not if the application was ruled too late despite the delays being caused by the W.A.G. and not by the Badger Trust. David Williams, Chairman of the Badger Trust, said: “It is with some reluctance but nevertheless firm resolve that we must, as an organisation dedicated to the welfare and protection of the badger, enter into these proceedings at the highest level. The decision is unjust and goes against the scientific evidence, and the law affords us this opportunity of challenging the legality of the W.A.G.’s intention to kill badgers, and we are now taking it”.

Animal rights activists in Flintshire protested against the badger cull on 9^th Dec.  Dozens of protesters gathered in Daniel Owen Square over an Assembly decision to kill badgers in an effort to prevent the spread of bovine TB. Protester Judi Hewitt said badgers could not be blamed for spreading the disease. “AMs have no real proof that it’s badgers passing TB on to cattle,” she said. “Yet they still want to steamroll into a horrible killing programme that will wipe out badgers from many areas in Wales.” The protest was timed to coincide with a surgery held by N. Wales AM and Cilcain farmer Brynle Williams, who has supported the cull.

Veggie diet better than cholesterol lowering drugs
Increasingly larger numbers of people confronted with abnormal blood cholesterol levels eventually require treatments with statins or other similar cholesterol lowering drugs. While such medications are considered to be effective in preventing and reducing high blood cholesterol levels, they don’t produce dramatic results, generating less satisfactory effects in certain categories of people. In addition, most cholesterol lowering drugs are known to cause serious side-effects, rendering long term treatments with such medications very unsafe...) After accumulating and analysing a vast amount of data regarding blood cholesterol and its risk factors, a team of Canadian medical researchers and nutritionists has come up with a very effective natural cure for high cholesterol, a vegetarian diet. The Canadian medical scientists have proved it to be a very powerful and not to mention safe alternative to common cholesterol-lowering drugs.... Evana 13 Dec

A former Australian-owned live export ship sank near Lebanon, drowning almost 18,000 cattle and over 10,000 sheep. More than half the 83 crew members are missing. The MV Danny F II was on its way from Uruguay to Syria. The ship, formerly owned by Elders, transported sheep from Australia to the Middle East until several years ago. Animals Australia Exec Director Glenys Oogjes reacted with horror to the news. "The live export trade has a history littered with disasters. One can only imagine the terror for both the crew and the animals as the Danny F II went down. Attempts to rescue the crew were hampered by floating animal carcases, providing a stark image of the scale of the suffering and death caused. "This disaster should provide a further wake up call to the Rudd Government that there are inherent and unacceptable risks every time these huge livestock vessels take to sea. When something goes wrong - such as fire, ventilation breakdown, or extremes of weather such as the storms that hit the Danny F II, thousands of lives are lost. "Whilst such disasters occur sporadically, the routine loss of life resulting from live animal export is equally appalling. Almost 4 times the sheep death toll on the Danny F died on Australia's live shipping fleet in 2008. Each year some 40,000 sheep die on 'our' ships due to their failure to eat the pellet food provided, from salmonella infections, and from injuries or heat stress.  "The sinking of the Danny F II is a tragedy, but our unethical trade in live animals is a daily disaster for the animals involved," concluded Ms Oogjes. For a listing of major disaster in the Australian live export trade over the past 30 years: www.liveexport-indefensible.com/facts/litany.php

On getting a text about a cat-napper truck, cat rescuers with a reporter managed to intercept it and called the police. It was taken to the police station where they found 30 cages with about 600 cats.  Police said they’d make a decision in the morning so the rescuers stayed with the truck through the night in freezing temperatures. Some cats died. As the cat-nappers showed legal paperwork and quarantine certificates the police said they’d let them go, refusing to believe the rescuers when they said the papers were fake. So they staged a poster protest which the police broje up during scuffles.  Other rescuers arrived on the scene and 5 rescuers’ cars blocked the access for the truck to leave. The police officers, under pressure, agreed to negotiate with the rescuers. 3 representatives went into Director Shen’s office while one was sent to town find a way to prove that the cat-nappers’ certificate was fake. After failing to do this the police said they’d either get the truck out of town or the rescuers could have 200 cats.  This they refused, say8ng they wouldn’t abandon even one cat.  To prepare for the worst  the rescuers called for more help, and split the rescuers, with some going to the access of the Jiaxin highway and with some staying at the police station. At 4:00pm, more police arrived – fully armed. Some rescuers still went and lay underneath the truck to prevent it from moving. Mr. Shen’s order, the police surrounded the rescuers and the truck and dragged the rescuers out from under the truck one by one. When the access was all clear, the cat-nappers returned to their truck and left towards the highway. Mr. Shen said that the rescuers could leave half an hour after the truck had left. All the rescuers then contacted the 2 cars that were waiting over at the highway access, and knowing that the truck was stopped at the toll pay highway station.  They called the police in the Jiangsu Province and  went to the Wu Jiang Police Station and called the Jiangsu Agriculture Bureau in hopes that the police officers there will release the cats. At the same time, more rescuers from Shanghai arrived, and the local police officers showed mercy to the rescuers and had the truck transported to the police station. After negotiations with the rescuers and the cat-nappers, the cat-nappers were forced to have all 600 cats released to rescuers. The rescuers had an urgent meeting, and decided that the 600 cats will be released to the Wuxi Cat Rescuer Group. On  Dec 20^th, 30 cages containing the rescued cats were safely back in Wuxi, and the cats were released to homes in Wuxi. At 4:00am, after 36 hours, the Shanghai cat rescuers finally returned to Shanghai for a well deserved rest. We won!

Seal shooting in Scotland

The Scottish Government has made it clear that they are going to support seal shooting salmon farmers and not the protection of seals, in the forthcoming Marine (Scotland) Act. At a crucial committee debate on the proposed Act, Scottish Government representatives strongly opposed moves to keep the close seasons which give seals at least some protection during the breeding seasons. Instead the Government wants to allow fish farmers and others to shoot heavily pregnant seals and mother seals with dependant young thus leaving baby seals to starve to death. Blatant barbarism. The Save Our Seals Fund, Animal Concern and the Animal Concern Advice Line all called for a ban on allowing salmon farmers to shoot seals. Apart from any moral, welfare or conservation issues the fact is that salmon farmers can exclude seals from their floating factory farms thus removing any need to shoot them. The problem is that exclusion is more expensive than shooting seals. The Scottish Government not only opposes banning salmon farmers from shooting seals, it will not even support a compromise calling for salmon farmers to at least try all the exclusion methods before resorting to shooting seals. The SNP have a terrible record on Marine conservation and continually lobby for bigger catch quotas for Scottish fishermen while fish stocks continue to decline due to commercial over fishing.  In Scotland the same Government Minister is responsible for protecting seals and the environment AND for protecting the industries which are in direct and deadly conflict with seals and the habitat which is their home.  The time has come to tell Scottish politicians that their failure to protect the globally important seal populations which live in Scottish waters is a very serious matter with extremely serious consequences for the Scottish economy. Protest e-mails should be sent to: FirstMinister@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or by post to The First Minister, St. Andrew's House, Regent Rd, Edinburgh EH1 3DG, Scotland

Thousands of farm animals face being frozen to death as Scotland experiences its worst winter weather in almost 50 years. Upland sheep farmers fear that their flocks could be killed as a result of deep snow. Those in hilly areas of the country, where snow drifts are already up to 4ft deep, are finding it increasingly difficult to get vital feed to their herds of cows and flocks of sheep. Contact the Scottish Govt. Animal Health and Welfare Directorate on: 0131 244 6015 and ask what's being done about this situation while Minister Richard Lochhead is working out a plan that ensures this won't cost either farmers or the SNP administration any money. Please give them your full details and ask for complaint to be logged and for a reference number. You can also contact Richard Lochhead here: scottish.ministers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Why can’t feed be dropped from helicopters?

US : Animal activists are crucifying farmers

Activists pushing for changes in animal agriculture actually want to end the practice of raising animals for food. That’s the message from Missouri Farm Bureau President Charlie Kruse, and others at the group’s annual convention. In his address to Farm Bureau members in Missouri, Kruse talked about actions begun in Missouri by the Humane Society of the United States. “We’ve already seen what they’ve done in states like Florida, Arizona, California and Colorado. They dramatically changed the way producers in those states are able to raise livestock and poultry,” said Kruse during his address. “Right now they’re saying their goal is just simply to protect animals, but I know we all know there can be a strong argument made that their real goal is to eliminate animal agriculture,” he said. Betty Wolanyk with Ag Literacy Works says animal rights activists are reaching and influencing people from the time they’re youngsters. “The fact that so many college students claim to be vegan tells you something’s happening here,” Wolynak told Brownfield prior to speaking to Missouri Farm Bureau members, “and that’s the best way I can tell that activists are really being effective.” Washington, D.C. analyst Steve Kopperud says agriculture interests have to fight even harder against activist-coined terms such as “factory farm” and “puppy mill”. “The problem we have has almost doubled because we have allowed the activists to define us, we have allowed the activists to tell the public what we do and how we do it and frankly, we’re sitting back and continuing to allow that to happen,” said Kopperud. “Now, Ohio, Michigan, places like that; we’re starting to see farmers and ranchers stand up and say, ‘we’re not going to take this anymore.’” Kopperud refers to laws passed in those states designed to thwart activists’ efforts. On the other hand, the Humane Society of the United States has filed 2 initiative petitions with the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office seeking to crack down on dog breeders that they refer to as “puppy mills”. Livestock agriculture interests say it’s the opening volley of the HSUS effort to restrict animal agriculture practices in the state. Kopperud says farmers have to bring their story to major consumer markets. “Your products are bought in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Dallas and Miami. Those are the people who must hear from you,” said Kopperud. “If they don’t, I can guarantee you they will hear from HSUS President Wayne Pacelle, and he will portray you as the worst of the worst.” Meat Trade News Daily

Man dies while trying to roast pig
A Phoenix man's attempt to prepare a special holiday meal for his family took a tragic turn, when he dug a 3ft deep fire pit to roast a pig, but somehow fell into the fiery hole… Authorities say family and friends ran to the pit, but couldn't pull him out of the fire before he died. Yet more proof that meat is dangerous for your health!

Marcus the lamb

Lydd Primary School head mistress Andrea Charman decided that children should learn about the food chain, so a small farm has been set up at the school.   The animals are reared and then sent to slaughter.  After naming the lamb Marcus the kids naturally became attached to him so when slaughter time came many were traumatised and the story erupted in the media. Carol Midgley (a vegetarian), in The Times, reckons that Marcus has done valuable work in waking people up to the horrors of meat.  Here’s a small piece from her article of 17^th Sept.: Already some kids are saying they’ll never eat meat again thanks to the martyr of Romney Marsh. I’ve heard tales of horrified children looking up slaughterhouse footage on Google to discover how Marcus met his maker - no Disney ending. If this effect ripples countrywide then one animal’s death could mean the saving of thousands more. I’m beginning to wonder whether Andrea Charman, the headmistress, who looks like a woman you wouldn’t pick a fight with, is really a secret agent for Peta and waging counter-intuitive warfare against the farming industry. Ms Charman would have done no favours to Britain's millions of farm animals if she’d relented and let Marcus live. That would have allowed everyone to feel all was right with the world, then go back to buying their Tesco Value mince. I’m glad there was a campaign to save him - but I bet many of those weeping are carnivores who seldom give serious thought to animal welfare standards as they throw another bacon vacuum pack in the trolley. But what a masterclass in realism that teacher has given those children and their parents! What a valuable dose of truth. We can hardly claim it wasn’t needed. Children are becoming so remote from the food production process that a recent survey showed many think that cows lay eggs and bacon comes from sheep. 1 in 10 eight-year-olds has no idea that pork chops come from pigs. One of the parents confirms that her 10 year old daughter has now turned vegetarian. Take a bow, headmistress. As for Marcus - rest in peace, old son. Your work here is done. The Times. 17 Sept.  Shame Ms Charman didn’t take the to the slaughterhouse

A slaughterman's licence has been suspended and a Somerset abattoir faces prosecution after secret footage showed "callous" animal welfare breaches.  Food Standards Agency (FSA) executives are considering criminal action against bosses at AC Hopkins and the individual slaughterman caught on film.  Animal Aid managed to install secret CCTV cameras in 3 abattoirs across England. They are now calling for CCTV to be placed in all UK slaughterhouses. The unnamed slaughterman was seen stunning multiple animals - strictly forbidden by EU law - and stunning a ewe as it suckled a lamb.  As a result of the publication, the employee was immediately removed from working with live animals at the firm in Creech St Michael.  He will not be permitted to work with live animals while the investigation proceeds, and faces the permanent withdrawal of his licence. Animal Aid shot 40 hours of secret footage at 3 abattoirs over 6 months from Jan to July.  From that they compiled a 10-minute clip, published on YouTube and the group's own website.  Footage from an abattoir in Cornwall led to official advice on 'areas of improvement', while images from a Derbyshire site failed to reveal any breaches.  Kate Fowler, Head of Campaigns at Animal Aid, said: "We believe that millions of animals across the country are suffering untold torment when they are stunned and killed.  Animals were kicked, hit, goaded, sworn at and stood on. In our view, one worker in particular combined incompetence, stupidity and callousness." The man who is being investigated had worked for 3 months for AC Hopkins when the recording was made. He had previously worked for many years for a large abattoir which is now closed, and holds a certificate having been trained in animal welfare but the standard of his work was not satisfactory." Mr Lomax pointed out all abattoirs are supervised throughout by veterinary and meat hygiene inspectors. "The company is disappointed the official vet did not notice any problems and had expected any to be drawn to the owner's attention," he added.

Help needed for abattoir/supermarket research
Trying to find out which abattoirs supply which supermarkets can be tricky but very useful. It is easiest to track backwards and look at the meat in the supermarket, which has a 4-digit code on it (in an elliptical circle) which will say something like 'EC4075' or 'UK9012'. These codes indicate where the animal was slaughtered. I know it's a grim job, but when you are next in a supermarket, would you take down as many of these codes from the meat as you can and send them to me please? I would need to know the date you visited, the name and town of the supermarket and what species of animal that the meat came from, along with the code. I would really appreciate your help. Thank you in advance! Kate Fowler Head of Campaigns Animal Aid 01732 364546 ex 236 kate@animalaid.co.uk

Live exports from Portsmouth?
We now have reliable information that Portsmouth may be the next port to become involved with live animal exports. Celtic Link Ferries (Ireland) started a Portsmouth-Cherbourg route from Sun 4^th Oct. and this carrier and this route may be the next attempt by exporters to get animals to Europe.  Shipments may start the week commencing Mon 12^th Oct. The vessel is likely to be the ‘Norman Voyager’, which has capacity for up to 800 passengers, 200 cars and up to 120 freight vehicles. These animals could be destined for both further fattening and immediate slaughter. According to our records, Portsmouth declared in 2007 that only around 10 breeding animals may be exported from its facility each week.  So now it appears strange that Portsmouth may potentially have a future policy allowing a lot more animals to be exported live in 2009.  We hope that the port will clarify its position in the very near future. For anyone wishing to contact Mr. Putman about this issue, his contact number is: 023 9229 7391, or email info@portsmouth-port.co.uk  KALE

Sheep exported in refrigerator lorry
On 1^st Sept, an Amsterdam based haulier attempted to transport ‘products’ through Dover to Calais.  The ‘load’, which was declared to UK port and ferry operating officials as refrigerated, ‘boxed meat’, actually turned out to be 320 live sheep.  As if conditions for live animals undergoing long distance transport across the EU are not bad enough, all of these sheep had been loaded into a single refrigerated truck trailer in a blatant but obvious attempt to deceive the authorities. KALE suspects that this is not the first time in recent weeks that an attempt has been made to evade the authorities and get UK livestock across the channel.  Kent livestock markets have been circulating rumours for several weeks now that animals were being shipped to Europe on a regular basis.  Despite attempts by animal welfare organisations to further investigate how and where this has been happening, no firm evidence was found.  It was only through the vigilance of the crew on the P&O vessel ‘Pride of Dover’ that the trade in actual live animals was discovered.  Concerned crew alerted the captain regarding the consignment, who then took decisive action and refused permission for the truck to disembark at Calais.  Instead, the vehicle was shipped back to Dover where it was immediately handed over to officers from Defra for further investigations.  KALE is currently aware that the incident has now been passed to Kent Trading Standards, who have the ability to undertake a full investigation into the shipment and to prosecute where necessary. This trade in live animals would have potentially many more ramifications regarding the transmission of several (livestock) diseases across EU borders.  The vehicle trailer was specifically designed only for carrying refrigerated meat rather than that for live animals. Carriers of livestock have to adhere to high welfare and ventilation standards in accordance with existing EU ‘protection of animals during transport’ legislation - Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 of 22 Dec 2004.  The fact that 320 animals were carried on one single tier within a completely unventilated ‘box’ refrigerated trailer for many miles is simply beyond belief. KALE demands that the perpetrators of this sordid abuse of animals now be prosecuted by whatever means, to send a clear message that inflicting this kind of suffering will not be tolerated within the EU.  Despite many incidents having been ‘investigated’ by Kent Trading Standards in relation to live animal exports in recent years, to which KALE feel there was overwhelming evidence for prosecution, KTS have never prosecuted.  KALE now hopes that the evidence of this case will see action by KTS. Dr. Caroline Lucas MEP has contacted KALE and will be acting on our behalf and writing to the EU Commission asking for a full investigation of the entire incident to be undertaken. We hope they will use this incident as further justification as to why new EU legislation regarding live animal transportation needs to be introduced across the entire EU at the earliest possible opportunity. KALE pays tribute to the crew of the P&O ‘Pride of Dover’ for their attentiveness and actions in relation to the incidents of 1^st Sept.  “It was because of their actions on the Channel crossing that 320 live animals were discovered rather than 320 dead, suffocated animals somewhere between Calais and their eventual destination”, a KALE spokeperson stated.

Fri 18^th Sept - Contacts at Ipswich Animal Rights have informed that at 6.30am a single Dutch livestock transporter loaded with sheep entered Felixstowe. Vehicle registration was WJ-TN-74. Haulier: Van Beers. Demonstrations at Felixstowe organised as a welcome for future shipments.

Tues 29^th  Sept - we have heard from a trusted source that a 'shipment of animals' went out of Dooley Terminal at Felixstowe port this morning.  

There have been 3 small (but very loud) protests at Gate 2 over the last week or so.   Sometimes the demos are very spontaneous.  Protesters are very visible (near a large roundabout) where they can be seen by hundreds of passers by.

Wed 30^th Sept - we have had confirmation from Mr. Paul Davey, – Head of Corporate Affairs, Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, that they (Felixstowe) will no longer have any involvement with live animals exports to mainland Europe. Mr. Davey declared in his statement to KALE: I can confirm that we have handled a limited number of live animal exports in recent months. We did this on the understanding that the highest standards of animal treatment would be adhered to, and that no animals would suffer as a result being transported through the Port of Felixstowe.  Consignments have been checked by Defra, Food Standard Agency and EU officials, and we are confident that the highest standards have been maintained. We have, however, kept our policy under constant review and, following further deliberations, I can confirm we have decided to cease our involvement in this trade.  I hope this gives you the certainty and clarity you require. Best regards Paul.  There have been a very small number of shipments of live sheep from Felixstowe over the past few months, each shipment taking one vehicle to our knowledge; however KALE is very thankful to Mr. Davey, the Directors and Management of Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited in making the correct decision and withdrawing from all involvement with the trade. In addition, we offer our congratulations to Melanie and all the crew in the region who have been directly involved with this campaign on a daily basis by organising demonstrations, dealing with the press and media etc. We trust that other ports within the UK who are possibly still contemplating some future involvement with this sordid business will follow the decision of the Board of Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd. - The Correct Decision!

Thurs 1^st Oct - we have been contacted by Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited who has informed that there will be one final export shipment from Felixstowe on Fri 2nd. As the booking for this consignment was made in advance of recent events of this week, and advanced payment was made for the shipment, it now has to go ahead. KALE was categorically informed that this will be the very last shipment to go from Felixstowe.

Seal meat has been put on to the menu in some of Canada's top restaurants as part of a patriotic backlash against an EU ban. Anger at the EU ruling, combined with the curiosity of tourists, has driven soaring demand for dishes such as pan-seared seal filet, seal stroganoff, seal pate and seal burgers. The European Parliament voted for a ban on the import and sale of commercially caught Canadian seal products, primarily fur, in May, after a long campaign by anti-hunting groups. In July, foreign ministers of the EU's 27 nations decided formally to adopt the ban. The Canadian government has reacted by threatening to take the EU to the World Trade Organisation.

Bull runs for his life
Police say a 1,400lb bull who escaped from a New Jersey slaughterhouse, dragged officers with a lasso down a street and ran 10 blocks before being captured and sedated. Chief John DeCando, spokesman for Paterson Police's animal control division, says the bull was being unloaded at ENA Meat Packing Inc. when it broke loose. Police tried to corral the bull by lassoing a rope around his neck, but he dragged officers down the street instead. DeCando says traffic was light during the bull run. Officers finally corralled the bull and DeCando was able to sedate him. No (human) injuries were reported. The bull was returned to the slaughterhouse.

Boar farmer given chance to stay
A boar breeder from Devon can make a fresh request to live on his land, the High Court has ruled.  N. Devon District Council served enforcement notices on Allan Dedames, of West Anstey, S. Molton, in 2007. The council said he was living on the farm without lawful permission. Mr Dedames said he had to live on the site to protect his animals. The High Court said that he should be able to apply for planning permission. Mr Dedames was at the High Court in London to fight against a planning inspector's rejection of his appeal against the enforcement notices. The notices required him to remove caravans and other items from the site on the grounds that he was living on his farm without lawful permission. Mr Dedames argued he had to live on site to protect his animals and, if forced to move out, he would be left homeless. He withdrew his High Court action after senior judge Sir George Newman called for "a fresh start". The council agreed not to enforce the notices in order to give him time to formally apply for planning permission. The judge urged the compromise because of costly delays and the overall expense of the legal action. After the hearing, Mr Dedames said: "The judge was very fair, as it turned out."  But added he had been left feeling "empty and blank" at "having to start everything over again".  If his new application is turned down, he could have to go through the appeal process, and its subsequent legal challenges, again. Mr Dedames' farm was attacked in Dec 2005, and on subsequent occasions, by suspected animal rights activists. It led to more than 100 boars being released. He estimated that at least a quarter of his stock were pregnant sows at the time they were released, with the average litter being about 5 piglets.  He said he calculated that there could be more than 200 wild boar now breeding wild in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

A bill that would ban the practice of tail docking dairy cows was introduced in California last Feb.  The bill has since passed through both the state Senate and the California Assembly with bipartisan support. But the bill still needs to be signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, whose record on animal welfare is shady at best with his previous proposals to shorten shelter stays, ignore puppy mills and tax veterinary care. Tail docking is performed to (supposedly) prevent the spread of leptospirosis to dairy workers, along with promoting udder health of cows. Various procedures to remove the tail are performed with no painkillers, and typically involve severing the tail off, or using a band to cut off circulation, causing the tail to fall off on its own. However, the process of removing up to 2/3 of the tail is considered cruel, inhumane and unnecessary by many and has been banned in several European countries. Scientific findings have also concluded that there is no benefit to cows having their tails docked in regards to the health of cows or people and that docking also causes additional stress for cows during fly season. Neuromas, or growths of nerve tissue, may also appear, which indicate tail docking can cause chronic pain, according to the AVMA.  The bill to end tail docking is also supported by the Humane Society of the US, the California Veterinary Medical Assoc, the ASPCA, the California Farm Bureau and the California Cattlemen's Assoc. Despite having no arguments, Schwarzenegger has openly mocked this bill on his twitter page, along with making a video to prove his point, with the stance that no one should be bothering with cow tails when the economy is suffering. I bet that the 1.8m dairy cows in California would beg to differ with the governor. It also seems completely inappropriate for someone in his position to blatantly ridicule the suffering of animals and the work of animal welfare supporters, especially considering that the bill would end an inhumane practice, while having no fiscal impact on the state whatsoever. If signed into law, California would be the first state to ban tail docking in dairy cattle.

Tescos
As well as selling the rabbit logo, BUAV approved, cleaning products and toiletries, Mark & Spencer's and Waitrose were the winner in both 2005 and 2007 in CIWF's welfare meat survey. Compare these Supermarkets who take pride in having standards, to Tesco's Foie Gras in Hungary, live turtles boiled and sliced alive in China, caged hen eggs, low welfare meat, not bothering to stock vegan food, and their statement, "We can't impose our standards on China." Which Supermarket would you rather support with your money? Tesco, for all of the above reasons, are a despicable Supermarket. Please write to the Tesco CEO and express how you feel about their unnecessary complete disregard for animal welfare, mentioning all of the above problems and tell him you will boycott Tesco. Sir Terry Leahy, CEO Tesco, Tesco House, PO Box 44, Delamare Rd, Cheshunt, Herts. EN8 9SL  You can phone Tesco CEO Sir Terry Leahy on: 0845 600441 Please, let's not let him get away with it.

Food bug present on 65% of chicken on sale
A food bug that causes 55,000 people to fall ill every year is present on 65% of chicken on sale in the UK. Campylobacter, which causes diarrhoea, cramping and abdominal pain, was found in almost 2/3 of chicken samples tested, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) found. Salmonella was in 6% of samples. The illness, which can be prevented by properly cooking meat, usually lasts 1 week, although some people don't show any symptoms. Those with compromised immune systems are at risk of the bug spreading to the bloodstream and causing a life-threatening infection, according to the US-based Centre for Disease Control. The levels of campylobacter in chicken remain almost unchanged since the agency's last survey in 2001 and Andrew Wadge, director of food safety at the FSA, said it showed more action needs to be taken by the poultry industry. Campylobacter is the most common bacterial cause of food poisoning, according to the FSA. As well as chicken it can be found on other meat, unpasteurised milk, and untreated water. The FSA tested 3,274 samples of fresh chicken at retail across the UK between May 2007 and Sept 2008 for the presence of campylobacter and salmonella.

Vested interest in baby formula study
A group of Scientists are claiming that infants consuming baby formula with an additive have higher IQs than breast-fed children. When publishing an article in a scientific journal an author MUST list any possible conflicts of interest. The lead author is James Drover. After investing hours of my time for investigative research, I've come to the conclusion that he's clean. The second listed author is Dennis R. Hoffman. My investigation has uncovered some powerful conflicts. The study conclusion which is fuelling the controversy is that baby formula may be healthier for an infant than milk from the mother's breast. I've discovered that Dennis R. Hoffman has a financial arrangement with Mead Johnson. Mead Johnson is the world's No 1 manufacturer of baby formula. Dennis R. Hoffman expects to become a very wealthy man as he has a patent pending for the use of the same baby formula additive as is the subject of today's study. The Sept 14, 2009 study is published in: Child Development Volume 80 Issue 5, Pages 1376 – 1384. Robert Cohen. Notmilk.com

A New Jersey judge has dismissed animal cruelty charges against a cop accused of committing a sex act with young cows, saying a grand jury had no way of knowing whether the animals were "tormented." Moorestown police officer Robert Melia, who is currently suspended, allegedly engaged in oral sex acts with 5 calves in 2006.

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The Shoreham Protester, 7 Stoneham Road, Hove, BN3 5HJ, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 (0)1273 885750. Email: shoreham.protester@ntlworld.com

Last Updated 13 December 2008