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Campaign for the Abolition of Animal Slavery
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vegetarian
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Slaughterhouses
may face prosecution 4
meat suppliers, including 2 whose abattoirs cater to leading retailers, could
face prosecution after hidden cameras revealed slaughtermen apparently
inflicting “appalling” abuse on animals. Film from one abattoir shows
a slaughterman inflicting repeated electric shocks on the ears, snouts and
bodies of terrified pigs. In another abattoir, which has supplied Sainsbury’s,
slaughtermen were filmed misusing a bolt gun, leaving cattle wounded but
potentially conscious. In a third, a pig that is meant to have been stunned is
shown wriggling free of the overhead conveyor belt carrying it to have its
throat cut — and then falling head first to the floor several feet below. The
slaughterman and colleagues are also shown kicking the conscious and squealing
animals, often in the snout. The videos came from covert operations by
Animal Aid, a campaign group, which says it has found similar abuses in 6 out of
the 7 abattoirs in which it took such films, suggesting they are endemic.
The footage has prompted investigations by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), a
government watchdog, which have led to 4 staff at 3 abattoirs losing their
slaughtering licences, and 4 more having licences suspended. The FSA is
gathering evidence for a possible prosecution. Animal Aid obtained its footage
using controversial methods. Its operatives got into abattoirs at night and
fitted tiny cameras above the areas where the animals were stunned, and then
returned to collect the devices when filming was over. Andrew Tyler, the
director of Animal Aid, said: “We filmed in 7 randomly selected UK abattoirs
for an average of 2 to 3 days, and in 6 of them there were serious welfare
breaches, incompetence and even sadistic cruelty.” Massive
pig farm planned One
of Britain's largest livestock companies - Midland Pig Producers (MPP) - is
planning to imprison 2,500 sows (and 26,000 pigs in total) on a massive factory
farm in Derbyshire right next door to a women's prison. Surrounded by barbed
wire fences, the massive complex would imprison sows that would never go
outside. Good welfare is impossible with such large numbers; there is a threat
to human health, with the prison and village close by – remember swine flu?
The environmental impact - the methane from the pigs will produce over twice as
much carbon equivalent gases as the neighbouring village of Foston. The
anaerobic digester used to strip the slurry of methane and to stop smell can
actually be responsible for producing smells and toxic gases, and in the worst
case scenario can provide a fire or explosion risk. Good practice dictates that
these should not be built next to residential areas (especially one of this
size) - and to do so would potentially put lives at risk. It will also use huge
amounts of water - as will the farm itself - and would potentially pollute
surrounding land. Noise: the developers say that the noise will be minimal. This
is hard to take seriously, as noise will be generated by machinery and from the
animals themselves as they are taken to slaughter (a thousand a week). MPP say
that the nearby road will drown the noise out, but some residential units are
closer to the farm than they are to the road. Impact on wildlife: the
development will obliterate a productive Greenfield site, whilst Brownfield
sites are nearby. Bat roosts have been potentially identified, and building work
- and the farm itself - whilst perhaps not encroaching directly onto it, will
still have a negative effect on wildlife. Increased traffic: the A50 through
Foston is already a busy road. Jobs for local people: MPP have said the
development will provide jobs for local people. However, the acquisition of
residential properties from the women's prison suggests that workers from
outside the area will be brought in - further increasing traffic. Precedence
against the development at Foston: in the past, a neighbouring property had its
planning application turned down because of its potential effect on the view (Maidensley
Farm - where the erection of a chimney was refused). The pig farm development at
Foston will change the local view incalculably more and should not be allowed.
Environmental Policy: this development may contravene S. Derbyshire District
Council Environmental Policy by polluting, increasing traffic, being noisy and
generally disruptive. Objections had to be sent to S. Derbyshire County Council
by the end of June. Mega
dairy plans dropped Plans for the proposed 3,000 cow mega-dairy on the
outskirts of South Witham, Lincs, have been abandoned. This comes just months
after similar plans for a massive zero-grazing development in the same county
(outside Nocton) were withdrawn after pressure from campaigners. The proposed
development at South Witham was on land owned by Buckminster Trust Estate. Viva!
wrote to Richard Tollemache of
Buckminster Trust on 9 June asking him to respect the countryside and pull out
of the development initiated by Velmur Ltd. The group started a letter writing
campaign to Buckminster Estate both locally and nationally. Viva!’s campaign
manager, Justin Kerswell, said: “We are delighted for S. Witham and the
country as a whole that the march of zero-grazing units across the UK is being
halted. It is a testament to the power of local people and national groups such
as Viva! that the little guy can provide a formidable opponent to big business.
“The development would have gone against the self-professed principles of
Richard Tollemache of Buckminster Trust, so we are delighted that it appears he
has withdrawn from the project. Zero-grazing is as it sounds: a system of dairy
farming where cows rarely, if ever, go outside. It is unnatural and cruel, and
puts profit before the needs of animals. It is vital that we stop this happening
elsewhere, and we have pledged to fight factory farming across the UK.” Indian
dairy farming PETA
India's recent undercover investigation of several dairy farms revealed shocking
cruelty to cows and buffaloes. Tabelas – animal factories with no provisions
for health care or animal welfare – are steadily replacing small family farms.
Buffaloes in Delhi's main dairy facility stand knee-deep in foul-smelling
excrement, suffering from skin infections, foot disease and other illnesses.
Garbage is piled up everywhere. Drainage, electricity and designated waste
disposal sites are lacking. In Mumbai, calves are tightly tethered on short
ropes in order to prevent them from reaching their mothers, but in their
struggle to get free, they often become entangled in the ropes and strangle
themselves. One dairy owner reported that half the calves die shortly after
birth. Cows are beaten into
submission and artificially inseminated so that they will keep producing milk.
Although this practice should be performed by trained professionals, most cows
are repeatedly inseminated by "barefoot healers" who ignore the most
basic hygienic standards and use equipment that has not been sterilised,
exposing cows to infections and diseases. Most
of a cow's day is spent confined to a narrow, filthy stall. Cows are injected
with Oxytocin, an illegal drug that causes them to produce unnaturally large
quantities of milk and suffer severe stomach cramps as though they were in
labour. Cows are impregnated repeatedly. They grieve for every calf they deliver
who is ripped away a few days after birth. Cows often develop mastitis – an
infection of the udders – from rough handling and rumen acidosis from
unwholesome food. Mega
farming In
an article titled “The toxic truth about mega-farms: Chemical fumes,
distressed animals and poisoned locals driven from their homes and worse”, the
Daily Mail (5th July) reported on what some Americans have had to put
up with when the giant farms came to their areas.
People are literally driven from their
homes by the stench and toxic fumes and the polluting
run-off is filled with bacteria. If
the giant dairies attempting to set up in Lincolnshire get their way this is
what we will have to put up with. Not to mention the misery for the cows
enslaved in this system. According
to the article, Nocton insist that animal welfare will be at the forefront of
its concerns, with animals having sand on which to bed down, open-sided sheds
and vets available 24 hours a day. During a radio interview with BBC Radio
Lincolnshire, Mr Willes said conditions at Nocton would be '5 star' and that
cows would opt for his facility if given the choice. In the same interview, he
also said that cows 'did not belong in fields'. To a large extent, if his
anticipated application were to be approved, the people of Nocton would have to
take his stewardship of Britain's first mega-dairy on trust. They might be
disappointed, then, to learn that Mr Willes's stewardship of some of his other
farms has been decidedly chequered. In 2005 he was given a conditional discharge
and ordered to pay £4,000 costs after an investigation by the Veterinary
Medicines Directorate (part of Defra) found that he had bought unauthorised
antibiotics to be administered to his animals. His company was also fined £6,700
following a release of milk into Dipple Water in 2008 from Higher Alminstone
Farm nearby. An Environment Agency spokesman described the spill as: 'One of the
worst we have seen for some time.' Furthermore, Mr Willes has displayed a
cavalier disregard for planning regulations. He recently enraged members of
Parkham Parish Council when he got planning permission for a slurry lagoon at
Sedborough Farm, but built a much bigger one. He later applied for retrospective
planning permission but the parish council opposed this. A letter from the
chairman of the parish council to Torridge District Council in Devon says the
council is concerned over 'creeping industrialisation of our parish arising from
development by stealth and cynical misuse of retrospective planning procedures'
by Mr Willes. Hardly the blemish-free record one would hope for a man hoping to
pioneer industrial farming to Britain. Door-drop
Army Instead
of holding Veggie Month in September, Viva is launching the Viva! Door-drop
Army. The best way to stop animals suffering is to get people to stop eating
them – and the best way to do that is to educate them and make them think.
Throughout July (and beyond!) Viva is hoping to door-drop the nation with
life-saving materials. That’s where you come in! It’s as simple as it
sounds: just putting a leaflet through a letterbox.
Please contact Viva for your pack: Tel: 0117 970 5190
Or e-mail info@vegetarian.org.uk Fined
for attempted liberation An
animal lover has been fined after attempting to liberate battery hens from a
farm near Wimborne. Mark Organ and 7 others had hired a van and gathered cages
and bags in order to free unhealthy or distressed birds late one night in
January last year. They were foiled by a man out walking with a powerful lamp as
they approached a Witchampton farm. A jury at Bournemouth Crown Court found Mr
Organ guilty of conspiracy to steal, and on June 17, he was ordered to pay £1,515.
Judge James Meston, QC, told Mr Organ: “It is clear you have a long-standing
serious concern about the welfare of animals, and believe yourself to be morally
justified in stealing chickens. “I do not suppose the verdict of the jury will
alter your views. “There was no evidence the farm was run unlawfully or
improperly, and it was at that time running down.”
The targeted unit has since closed for economic reasons, he added.
Police easily traced Mr Organ, of Lancing, W. Sussex, because he hired
the van in his own name, and Judge Meston said he did not believe the group
would have forced entry to a locked barn. “I understand that in 2012 changes
in the law will improve conditions for poultry,” he said. “You thought your
strong disapproval for battery hens was in the mainstream part of public
opinion, and I accept that you were just going to get unhealthy birds that might
not have been missed.” Timothy Greene, defending, said: “This was not an
offence committed for reasons of personal gain, but for beliefs sincerely held
in relation to an issue my client feels strongly about, with others.”
Catholic
publication’s radical review The Tablet is a highly respectable Catholic publication, read
by bishops and the like. In the beginning of July edition there is a
review on a book on animals and the abuse in the eating of them.
The review winds up with a query, “have we got it all wrong in our idea
that we have stewardship over animals?” I think it will cause some sitting up
and thinking.
Jenny Pothecary Vegan
diet best to save the world says UN A
global shift towards a vegan diet is vital to save the world from hunger, fuel
poverty and the worst impacts of climate change, a United Nations report said.
As the global population surges towards a predicted 9.1 billion people by 2050,
western tastes for diets rich in meat and dairy products are unsustainable, says
the report from UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) international panel of
sustainable resource management. It says: "Impacts from agriculture are
expected to increase substantially due to population growth increasing
consumption of animal products. Unlike fossil fuels, it is difficult to look for
alternatives: people have to eat. A substantial reduction of impacts would only
be possible with a substantial worldwide diet change, away from animal
products." Professor Edgar
Hertwich, the lead author of the report, said: "Animal products cause more
damage than [producing] construction minerals such as sand or cement, plastics
or metals. Biomass and crops for animals are as damaging as [burning] fossil
fuels." The recommendation follows advice last year that a vegetarian diet
was better for the planet from Lord Nicholas Stern, former adviser to the Labour
government on the economics of climate change. Dr Rajendra Pachauri, chair of
the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has also urged people
to observe one meat-free day a week to curb carbon emissions. Agriculture,
particularly meat and dairy products, accounts for 70% of global freshwater
consumption, 38% of the total land use and 19% of the world's greenhouse gas
emissions, says the report, which has been launched to coincide with UN World
Environment day. Last year the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation said that
food production would have to increase globally by 70% by 2050 to feed the
world's surging population. The panel says that efficiency gains in agriculture
will be overwhelmed by the expected population growth. Prof Hertwich, who is
also the director of the industrial ecology programme at the Norwegian
University of Science and Technology, said that developing countries – where
much of this population growth will take place – must not follow the western
world's pattern of increasing consumption.
Guardian
2nd June US
factory farms to be held responsible for polluting waste In
a legal settlement that could affect the entire U.S. meat industry, the EPA has
agreed to identify and investigate thousands of factory farms that have been
avoiding government regulation for water pollution with animal waste. The
settlement requires the agency to propose a rule on greater information
gathering on factory farms within the next 12 months. It will require the
approximately 20,000 domestic factory farms to report such information as how
they dispose of manure and other animal waste. The Natural Resources Defense
Council, Sierra Club and Waterkeeper Alliance filed the suit in 2009 over a rule
that exempted thousands of factory farms from taking steps to minimize water
pollution from the animal waste they generate. "Thousands of factory farm
polluters threaten US
egg farm to settle animal cruelty case Animal
rights activists say it is the largest penalty in a farm animal abuse case in
the country. Jack DeCoster, the owner of Maine Contract Farming LLC, formerly
known as the DeCoster Egg Farm, has agreed to pay more than $130,000 in fines to
settle a case involving 10 counts of animal cruelty. The case was first brought
to light by an undercover investigator from the Illinois-based group Mercy for
Animals. For 2 months last year, the undercover investigator worked sided by
side with other egg farm employees and documented what he saw with a hidden
camera. When the video was turned over to investigators with Canadian
standards for farm animal transport dangerously lax Poultry
workers opened the doors of a chicken truck at a Toronto slaughterhouse in Dec
2008, to find that nearly 1,500 birds had frozen to death in sub-zero
temperatures during their final journey from the farm. At about the same time,
16 neglected horses animals so emaciated they had not developed winter coats
were sent to a meat factory in Alta., in an unheated truck as the thermometer
dipped to -12c. Govt inspectors who witnessed their arrival took note of the
incident but let the transport company off with a simple warning. Those and
other anecdotes are included in a report by the World Society for the Protection
of Animals (WSPA), to be released imminently, that looks at the conditions in
which animals intended for Canadian dinner plates are transported often for the
last time. The study, which was based on inspection reports filed by the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) between Oct 2008, and Jan 2009, was
initiated in response to the listeriosis crisis of 2008 that killed 22 people.
It finds that Canadian standards for the transport of animals are significantly
weaker than those of other jurisdictions, including Europe and the US. Under
CFIA policy, an inspection is warranted if 1 % of a shipment of broiler chickens
arrives dead, whereas the U.S. threshold is 0.5%. The report also found that the
CFIA standards are not strenuously enforced. In fact, much evidence suggests
that food borne illnesses are readily transmitted among animals that are crammed
into trucks and train cars. CFIA
indicate that 2-3m animals die during transport every year and another 11m
arrive at their destination diseased or injured. We have to ask the question,
how many of these animals that die in transit are ending up on people’s dinner
plates? If there is only one inspector for every 2m animals slaughtered for food
every year in this country, how can they possibly ensure this isn’t happening?
CIFA says its inspectors see the animals both before and after slaughter and
they would move quickly to shut down a plant that attempted to process animals
that were dead on arrival which is strictly prohibited by federal regulations.
They also admit they cannot be in every meat plant at all times. The greatest
animal suffering observed in the study occurred on long journeys especially in
freezing weather. Canadian cows can be in transit for 52 hours without food,
water and a rest break. In Abuse
at US duck hatchery A
Washington, D.C.based animal rights group is bringing attention to a case of
abused and neglected ducklings at a local hatchery that led to 88 birds getting
confiscated by Santa Cruz County Animal Services Authority. Compassion Over
Killing (COK), the nonprofit animal advocacy organization that focuses on
cruelty to animals in agriculture, released an undercover video showing what
they believe are "shocking abuses and suffering" practices at Cal Cruz
Hatchery. The video was taken by an employee of COK who was hired by Cal Cruz
Hatchery in Jan 2009 to perform maintenance work. He worked at the hatchery for
only a few weeks, secretly documenting the mistreatment of ducklings with a
hidden video camera. Spokeswoman for COK comments "We believe the evidence
clearly shows abuse. "The
ducklings were literally treated like trash. They were mangled in the machinery.
It's quite horrible." The video was turned over to county animal services
officials in Feb 2009 and a separate investigation was conducted by local
authorities that turned up corroborating evidence of abused ducklings, said Lynn
Miller, interim manager of Animal Services. State law prohibits torture,
needless suffering and killing of any animal. A report from Animal Services was
given to the District Attorney's Office, which declined to press charges against
Cal Cruz Hatchery, Miller said. Of the 88 ducklings confiscated in May 2009, 40
were on the verge of dying and had to be euthanized .All birds were dehydrated.
Some had burns, hypothermia, were covered in faeces and malnourished, some were
beyond saving."Cal Cruz Hatchery employees are now cooperating with the
investigation and have since halted the duckling part of the business to focus
on chickens. The surviving ducklings were stabilized and moved to a farm
sanctuary. COK routinely conducts undercover investigations of slaughterhouses
animal facilities across the country. A recent investigation also exposed an egg
factory in Minnesota. US
dairy farm owner cleared of abuse A
Union County grand jury has decided the owner of a Union County dairy farm
caught in an abuse scandal should not face criminal charges. A grand jury met
last week and heard testimony from an Ohio Dept of Agriculture veterinarian, the
Union County Humane Society and others before deciding that dairy farmer Gary
Conklin did nothing criminal, according to Union County Prosecutor David
Phillips. Jurors saw hours of video tape recorded by an undercover employee of
the animal-rights group, Mercy For Animals, not just the few minutes the group
posted on YouTube, Phillips said. On the tape, Conklin employee Billy Joe Gregg
is seen viciously beating and abusing cows and calves at the Plain City farm.
Gregg has since been fired. He has been charged with 12 misdemeanour counts of
animal cruelty and faces a felony weapons charge. He has pleaded not guilty to
all the charges. Also on the tape, Conklin is shown kicking a cow that is lying
down. Phillips said the portion of the tape shown publicly was spliced together
and that Conklin's behaviour was taken out of context. The Union County
sheriff's office said it had 4 vets with experience in large-animal care review
the tape. "In context, Mr. Conklin's actions were entirely
appropriate," Phillips wrote in a news release this morning. "The vets
told law enforcement that cows who remain down are at risk of injury or death. A
cow's muscles may atrophy. Once that happens, the cow may never get up and may
suffer or die." In an e-mailed statement, Gary Conklin called the
announcement bittersweet. "It is gratifying that the grand jury found no
reason to bring any charges against our farm, family members or current
employees," he wrote. "However, we remain extraordinarily saddened by
the willful abuse of animals on our farm by one of our former employees."
Jurors also reviewed the actions of another Conklin employee as well as the
Mercy for Animals investigator, who admitted to poking animals with pitchforks
to maintain his cover, and they found nothing that merited criminal charges,
Phillips said. The criminal investigation isn't over, however. Phillips said
threats of violence and murder made by animal-rights activists against the
Conklins are still under review and information may be forwarded to the U.S.
Attorney's Office for possible charges under the federal Animal Enterprise
Terrorism Act. Mercy For Animals reacted to the announcement today and said that
Union County has failed the animals and Ohio residents who care about them by
giving Conklin Farms "a free pass." "If such abuse is considered
legal in Ohio, compassionate citizens should have serious concerns regarding the
array of acceptable abuses animals ensure in the dairy industry." The
organization presented the sheriff's office with tape proving that Conklin knew
of the abuse and created a culture that allowed it, said Daniel Hauff, director
of investigations for Mercy For Animals Undercover
Alert! Due
to the recent success of investigations conducted by undercover animal rights
operatives, the Animal Agriculture Alliance issued a warning to farm hiring
managers to be “watchful” for either current or potential employees fitting
the criteria of an activist incognito. Thanks to Drovers.com here are the signs
that a farm employee might actually be one of those squirrely animal rights
types. Befriending or mingling with upper management asking questions about
operations including security matters or time schedules; volunteering for jobs
before or after normal business hours; volunteering for jobs that are less
desirable, but would provide them access to the animals, often before or after
normal business hours; seeking employment in jobs below their skill or education
level; demonstrating previous jobs or experiences out of character for the job
they were seeking; seeking employment with no pay so they can “learn more
about the business before committing to that field” either with regard to
their education or possibly before starting their own business; using an out of
state driver's licence (US). So if your farm employee displays any of the above
behaviours either you have an undercover investigator on your hands or a
potential employee of the month candidate. Also according to Drovers.com, the
Alliance “recommends that all producers ensure high standards of animal
welfare” but then proceeds to accuse activists of utilizing “highly edited
images of violence and neglect to prey on the emotions of the public. Finally
the good ole’ boys at the Alliance end their news release with the following.
“The agriculture industry must be wary activists have shown that they will
work every angle in their quest to put all farmers, ranchers, and meat
processors out of business. The first step for every farm operator is to ensure
that top quality animal care is provided at all times. It is also critical that
those in the industry take extra security precautions to prevent getting
targeted by animal rights groups looking for video to aid in their fundraising
efforts and political campaigns.” Maybe at some point, when epiphany finally
strikes, the animal slaughtering industry will realize that if anyone puts them
out of business fingers crossed it will be because of their actions not the
actions of activists. One can at least hope.
ThisDishIsVeg
23 June Beak
trimming ban under threat The
UK ban on the beak-trimming of egg-laying hens is under threat. Please help us
ensure that it is not abandoned. The welfare of millions of hens around the UK
is at stake. There are around 26m hens in the UK's laying flock. The majority of
these will have had part of their beaks cut off shortly after hatching. This
mutilation is a painful and unnecessary solution to feather-pecking. It was due
to be banned on 1 Jan 2011, but the Government will soon make a decision on a
possible postponement. We must not allow the new Government to postpone the ban
on beak-trimming of laying hens without setting a new commencement date. Please
write to your MP today: www.ciwf.org/edm260
Bluefin
tuna freed 800
endangered bluefin tuna were released from fishing nets by Sea Shepherd
anti-poaching activists off the coast of Libya. The action was carried out as
part of Operation Blue Rage, targeting the illegal overfishing of bluefin tuna.
The fish are being pushed out of existence as a sushi delicacy popular in Japan.
The Sea Shepherd's vessel, the Steve Irwin, has been patrolling the Med
during summer 2010 to monitor fishing of the species. The fishing of the bluefin
tuna is supposedly monitored by the International Commission for the
Conservation of Atlantic Tuna, yet evidence suggests that their quota of 13,500
tons a year is exceeded to the tune of tens of thousands of tons and there is
little enforcement.
Activists on the Steve Irwin approached the Italian trawler Cesare
Rustico in the afternoon of June 17th, but when confronted, the crew
insisted that the haul did not exceed any quotas, and that the nets contained
fish caught by other vessels. These excuses evaporated when activists inspected
the nets. A 5 person crew then took the risky decision to dive down to the cage
and succeeded in releasing the lucky 700-800 fish.
2 days later, the Steve Irwin was attacked in Libyan waters while
attempting to inspect the contents of the second of the Cesare Rustico's nets.
The Cesare Rustico was supported by 3 other vessels, which fired a barrage of
flares at the deck and wheelhouse of the Steve Irwin. The activists were forced
to retreat to safety, yet, demonstrating true Sea Shepherd resilience, the
mission now continues the search for bluefin poachers in the waters of Cyprus
and Turkey.
Sea Shepherd organisation said: It is our position that the bluefin tuna
we freed from that cage held a large number of juveniles and that the fish were
caught after the official closure of the season. It is also our position
that the fish that we freed exceeded the quota. After freeing the bluefin tuna,
the Steve Irwin headed north and out of the waters claimed by Libya. The
Maltese media reported that Libya had dispatched warships to pursue the Steve
Irwin. There are claims in the Maltese press that a bluefin tuna fisherman
was injured by our actions. No one on the Steve Irwin, in the helicopter,
or in the Delta saw any incident where a fisherman was injured. We saw one man
dive into the water from the side of the cage. Then, we saw him get up and give
us the rude Italian arm signal. Another fisherman slashed at the crew with a
hook on the end of a long pole, and one of the vessels rammed us in the port
stern area.
Given
the very bad weather conditions in the zone north of Tripoli until the closure
of the legal fishing season on June 14th, it is impossible that this
catch was taken during the legal season. The tuna were caught post-closure,
during a period of very calm weather that has predominated over the area since
the 15th.
It appears that illegal fishing has been seriously reduced this
year and thanks to the European Commission decision to close the European
fishery on June 9th, I believe the bluefin tuna catch has been
seriously diminished this season. One thing is clear is that the fishing
companies are not happy. The fishermen are calling the closure by the EC
“unacceptable.” EC Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki explained that the
advancement of the closing was due to the fact that the Community fleet had
exhausted the quota it had been assigned. The President of Europêche, Javier
Garat, has called the decision “intolerable” and is demanding that the EC
justify their decision. According to the fishing companies, the decision was
made as the result of “pressure from the radical ecological movements”
and they are complaining that they have been put into a state of “legal
insecurity.”
What is amazing is that the fishery was closed because the quota was
reached but the fishermen appear to be arguing that they should have the right
to continue fishing until June 15th. It is gratifying to see that the
fishermen are blaming us “radical ecologists” for the closure. Personally, I
think that Europe has finally realized that unless action is taken now they will
be making the same mistake the Canadian government made in presiding over the
destruction of the N. Atlantic cod fishery. This year could very well be a
success just by all of us being here to keep an eye on both the fishermen and
the governments responsible for enforcement.
See www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-100617-1.html Anti-fishing
campaigner injured during raid A
British environmental campaigner was injured during a raid on tuna fishing boats
when a grappling hook stuck in his leg. Frank Hewetson, an activist with
Greenpeace from Japan
fleet set sail on another Pacific whaling trip Japan
launched a summer whaling mission during the first week of June with the target
of killing 260 of the giant sea mammals in the N.W. Pacific waters despite legal
action by Australia. 3 harpoon and 2 research ships set sail from 3 separate
ports in Japan with more than 200 crew to hunt whales in the Pacific waters,
said the Institute of Cetacean Research, which sends the state backed whaling
fleet. Japan hunts whales using a loophole in a 1986 international moratorium on
commercial whaling that allows "lethal research" on the giant mammals,
and it makes no secret of the fact that the meat is then sold as food.
Opposition to 'Ultra-fine'
wool growers
supply an elite international market and wealthy buyers from the world's
foremost fashion houses. Ultra-fine
wool growing is an intensive animal industry. Specially-bred sheep are kept
indoors in individual small pens 24 hours a day for 4 or 5 years. Nylon coats
are worn by the 'shedded' sheep to further ensure that dust and dirt does not
enter their fleece - and, like every other intensive animal industry, the
behavioural and social needs of the sheep are completely ignored. The impacts of
chronic stress caused by an inappropriate environment are obvious. The confined
sheep continually chew on the wooden slats and strands of wire which enclose
them. Repetitive body movements were also observed - classic stereotypic
behaviours caused by a barren environment (which leads to chronic boredom),
combined with the inability to exercise, or to perform simple natural behaviours
such as the ability to graze on grass. Ask
Peru to save Roos! Animal
Freedom Day Animal
Freedom Day takes place on July 24th and was initiated by animal
rights activist and filmmaker of the documentary 'Don't Eat Me', 18 year old
Nadia Masoudi. Animal Freedom Day aims to creatively tackle the ongoing topic of
animal rights. It is a day in which people cease to consume animal products. Our
goal is to create awareness and put an end to the slaughtering of animals,
animal abuse and create an alternative food source.
Animal Freedom Day is a multi-venue music festival that will be streamed
live online for the world to see. It will feature many performances from
independent music artists to legendary music icons. Many high profile
celebrities, environmentalists, politicians and several others from around the
world will take part and have their voice heard to free the animals. Animal
Freedom Day is much like a live-aid event, to spread the message of animal
rights. Although it is international, Animal Freedom Day will be held in
Burlington, Ontario, Canada at the Burlington Jazz & Blues Festival (a
vegetarian music festival). We also encourage you to use our event registration
to host your own online event. By doing so this would help to spread the word
about your belief, cause and contribution for the animals. I believe that
together we can unite and help spread awareness for animal rights and
vegetarianism. Nadia Masoudi www.animalfreedomday.com
Farmer & Ex-JP fined for
badger killing Dairy
farmer and former High Sheriff of Dyfed Richard
Harold James has been fined for trapping and shooting a badger which he
dug up his garden. He caught the badger in a snare near his Pembrokeshire home
and blasted it to death at close range with a shotgun. The ex-JP was given fines
and costs totalling almost £3,000 by Swansea Magistrates for killing a
protected animal and using a snare to trap it. James threw the animal onto a slope leading on to National
Trust land. It was witnessed by National Trust worker David Jarman who works on
land near Home Farm. He went back to his office and called in the RSPCA. James,
former chairman of the Clynderwen and Cardigan Farmers Co-Operative, later told
an RSPCA inspector who questioned him about the killing: “What about the
damage badgers cause us?” John Tarrant, prosecuting, said the RSPCA brought
the case because it felt not to have prosecuted would have diminished
legislation protecting badgers irrespective of the Welsh Assembly Government’s
planned cull of the creatures in W. Wales in an attempt to eradicate bovine TB.
And after the case, RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said: “We hope this case will
send the message that killing badgers without a licence is illegal. “The Welsh
Assembly Government may be pursuing a cull under special measures in its bid to
prevent bovine TB but the fact is badgers are still protected by law and
unlicensed killing of them will lead to court. Mr
Hogben added: “Our advice to people who have trouble with badgers digging in
their garden is first to consult with a local badger group. “There are badger
proof fences that can be used or various sonic devices and one method is to feed
badgers so they will not bother digging in to a garden to get worms or other
food.” Badger
Trust wins appeal against Welsh cull The
Badger Trust has won their appeal. Welsh badgers are safe for the moment.
Thismeans that the threat to English badgers by Clegg Cameron conspiracy has
diminished considerably. Stand by for media stories of armed badgers
storming orphanages and hospitals!! The
Badger Trust argued that the assembly government and Rural Affairs Minister Elin
Jones had not shown that a cull would "eliminate or substantially
reduce" the rate of TB infection, as the law meant it had to, and that
ministers had a duty to weigh the harm to the badger population against the
possible benefits to farmers, but had not done so. At least 1,500 badgers were
due to be killed during the 5 year programme. How you can help: We mustn’t assume that a cull won’t happen in the future. Go to www.badger-killers.co.uk for info on killing areas and to help you recognise traps and vehicles and to download the petition. For more info or to donate, contact Coalition of Badger Action Groups PO Box 129, Plymouth PL1 1RY or e-mail cbag@webtribe.net Fish
jumps into traders mouth! An
Indian trader holding a bag of fish preparing to sell them got a surprise when
all of a sudden, a fish jumped into his mouth. He has the good will of 3 teams
of doctors to thank for his life. After it jumped into his mouth, the fish made
its way inside the trader's lungs. He started choking and he nearly died. The
final team of doctors found the fish inside of his lungs and extricated it. Well,
the fish nearly got its revenge
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
1st Jan Slaughtermen
suspended after expose Songbirds
killed and eaten Call
for monks to close farm
Netherlands
to slaughter more animals in Q fever epidemic 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 3rd (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 9th 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 Live
animal export ship sinks 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 Cat
rescue report from China 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 20th, 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? 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 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 17th 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 Live
exports from Portsmouth? Sheep
exported in refrigerator lorry Fri
18th 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 29th
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
30th 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
1st 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 Boar
farmer given chance to stay 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
Food
bug present on 65% of chicken on sale Vested
interest in baby formula study 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 |
