Month: August 2021

Farm Animals, General News

Germany-Alt Tellin: memorial for burned pigs

On March 30, 2021, 57,000 pigs were painfully burned in a stable fire near Alt Tellin / Vorpommern-Greifswald in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

We had already reported on this: https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2021/04/27/alt-tellin-germany-the-fukushima-of-meat-industry/

The operator of Europe’s largest pig breeding facility, LFD-Holding, has already violated the animal welfare law and fire protection measures in the past.

Despite massive protests from the local citizens’ initiative and pending legal proceedings, the construction of the facility was approved.
Again corrupt lobbyists were at work, and thus to blame for the cruel mass deaths of 57,000 living beings

A fire protection expert claims that Alt Tellin should never have been built like this.
The barn units were connected to each other, so there was only one way out in an emergency.
In addition, pigs do not flee by themselves. They need to be released from their stands and boxes. They have to be brought out, and young piglets even have to be carried out.
And that with 57,000 animals at the same time? Rescuing the animals was impossible for the firefighters on site.

The expert angrily points to the pig manure under the slatted floors, which ferments quickly. This produces digester gas containing methane.
From 4.4 percent methane in the air, this gas-air mixture is capable of deflagration and is highly flammable. And a fire can suddenly spread through this gas-air mixture.
For this reason the major fire in the Alt Tellin pig breeding facility was only a matter of time.

Despite the terrible tragedy, the Agriculture Minister of Mecklenburg = (a country in northeast Germany) plans to re-approve the burned down sow facility in Alt Tellin as a “model stable”!!

Nevertheless, there were many people who initiated a beautiful initiative against this mass death dispite the difficult times, and thus set an active sign that they have not forgotten the victims.


Last weekend, a memorial site was opened by the Schweineleben e. V. and the Lebenshof 198.
Together with other organizations and animal lovers, they would like to commemorate the victims of the fire and the animal industry.

Around 40 animal welfare organizations and individuals from different federal states took part in the campaign.
After all, they made and sent 57 wooden crosses, donated money for the campaign, or traveled specially to help set them up.

They are calling for a political response to the fire in the pig farm in Alt Tellin.

(all photos from the action: https://www.schweineleben.de/gedenkstaette-alt-tellin/)

Our thanks, respect and solidarity to all those involved in this beautiful campaign
We don’t forget Old Tellin.

My best regards to all, Venus

General News, Live Transport

Spain-Tarragona: fire at the mobile coffin “Elbeik”

The Animal Equality Foundation has requested today, Saturday, August 7, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to withdraw the authorization to operate from Spain to the ship Elbeik.

Yesterday, August 6, a fire broke out on the Elbeik ship, in ballast, at the Tarragona anchorage, in which the crew members were evacuated by the Salvamar Fomalhaut. There were no animals because they hadn’t loaded yet.

In this new letter, Animal Equality attaches the report “78 EU-Approved Animal Transporters” by the Animal Welfare Foundation published in June 2021, which details the legal situation of ships operating from Europe.

Spanish ports receive and issue certificates for ships that are even on the black list of the Paris Memorandum and have been sold, such as Alfarouk, Anakin, Nabolsi I, Bruna, Spiridon II, Julia AK, Queensland and even the Elbeik ship.

The last, Elbeik, was expelled from the ports of the Paris Memorandum due to multiple functional defects and sanctions and due to poor condition, while in Spain, despite serious defects and despite the results of the inspection by the Guardia Civil on March 19, 2021, the ship was allowed to continue its operations.

Animal Equality has already denounced that in the case of maritime transport the infractions are mainly centered on the poor condition of the boats and the lack of care for the animals:

– The transport of animals is allowed to boats not considered suitable, of very low quality. 55% of approved livestock vessels in the EU are licensed in countries blacklisted by the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). They are considered high risk in relation to maritime safety.

– Transport of unfit animals, which are injured or sick. Animals are loaded even when inspections reveal deficiencies and violations of regulations are not penalized.

– The loading of the animals is carried out with violence. They are beaten, kicked and dragged even using electric batons. In cases where the animal cannot move, it is tied by one leg and lifted by a crane.

– Long waits before boarding under extreme temperatures and in the sun. European regulations and the Plan of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food state that a trip should not be authorized if the temperature inside the vehicle exceeds 30ºC and it must even be sanctioned if it exceeds 35ºC.

These infractions, on the part of transport companies, have been taking place for the last 30 years in Spain. While some Member States have improved their application, others, including Spain, continue to give little importance to enforcing Regulation 1/2005.

“t is very serious that after the latest scandal involving the Elbeik ship, the Government did not withdraw its permission to continue operating from Spain. The ship’s fire is a new example of the danger posed by these vessels and of the need to ban the export of animals” (Silvia Barquero, Director of Animal Equality)

Animal Equality has a petition underway to ban the export of live animals that has already been signed by more than 45,000 people.

Sign and share: https://igualdadanimal.org/actua/transporte-animales

https://igualdadanimal.org/noticia/2021/08/07/igualdad-animal-solicita-al-mapa-que-el-buque-elbeik-deje-de-operar-desde-espana

And I mean…No! It is not only “very serious” that mobile scrap still gets permission and is used for animal transport.
It is a crime committed by

-corrupt, unscrupulous politicians
-from the animal transport mafia
-of the authorities and the judiciary who look the other way
and, in this case, very likely insurance fraud.

My best regards to all, Venus

Farm Animals, General News

India: 6 Videos the Dairy Industry Hopes You’ll Never See. We Show Them Here !

Dear Mark,

Think animals don’t suffer or die for milk?

You are in for a surprise! Here are six videos that will open your eyes to the secret, shocking facts of “modern” milk production:

Click on the wording below to watch the very disturbing footage.

6 Videos the Dairy Industry Hopes You’ll Never See

1. Male calves – who obviously don’t produce milk – are routinely abandoned, left to starve, or killed outright. The Indian Meat Industry Red Meat Manual says, “Most of the buffalo calves, generally males, are allowed to die intentionally by the owners for economic reasons.”

2. Some calves are turned into khalbacchas – stuffed, dead calves that are propped up alongside cows and buffaloes to try to fool their mothers into lactating.

3. Here is what artificial insemination actually looks like. Workers insert an arm, often without lubricant, into a struggling, frightened cow’s rectum, then push a metal rod carrying bull semen up into her vagina.

4. Here’s the ultimate destination for many cattle – the slaughterhouse.

In India, while no animals are reared specifically for beef, India is a top beef exporting nation of buffalo meat, referred to as “carabeef”. The Economic Times has reported that some beef tested was found to be from cows. Cow slaughter is illegal in many Indian states but not everywhere in the nation. Where do you think the beef industry gets cattle to kill? That’s right – largely from the dairy sector.

5. Let’s see how meat, egg, and dairy production wreaks havoc on the planet

6. Here, Indian doctors talk about the many scary ill effects of dairy consumption. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine warns us that milk consumption is linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, and other ailments that are running rampant in our society.

So, I think you’ll agree, dairy is pretty scary – not to mention cruelly obtained, environmentally destructive, and bad for you.

Share these videos on social media and with everyone who needs to see them. And if you haven’t already, kick the dairy habit by taking our vegan pledge:

Sincerely,
PETA India

Scary Dairy !

Regards Mark

Note – The image below is NOT associated with the article.

General News, Uncategorized

Animals Lebanon update: Beirut explosion – one year later. The Wonderful Animal Advocates Helping In A Severe Crisis.

Pictures – Animals Lebanon

Animals Lebanon update: Beirut explosion – one year later

5 August 2021

Animals International

One year after the Beirut explosion Animals Lebanon sends this moving update on the situation in the country and how they have continued to carry out their work for animals thanks to the support of organisations and individuals worldwide including Eurogroup for Animals members Animals International, Fondation Brigitte Bardot, Four Paws and World Animal Protection. 

WAV Comment – A Must Read:

File

Animals Lebanon Beirut explosion update – one year later

An example of their tireless efforts is their successful rescue and rehoming of bears Homer and Ulysses with the support of Four Paws and The Wild Animal Sanctuary.

Visit the Animals Lebanon website to learn more and support their work.Image

Or donate directly – Donations can be made at Animals Lebanon – Donate

Regards Mark

Farm Animals

Austria: peaceful animal rights activists brutally beaten

Austria, Pöttelsdorf, on August 6th, 2021-Report of the “Association against Animal factories”

When animal rights activists yesterday took over two pigs from the largest fattening pig factory in Burgenland, Austria, with 3,000 animals on fully slatted floors and built an enclosure for them, everything seemed to be about to take a good turn.

The two animals, although their joints were clearly swollen, were doing well, immediately examined their surroundings with interest, rummaged in the straw and enthusiastically ate fresh fruit and vegetables.
They were called Mickey and Jackie.

Mickey and Jackie in freedom

At around 9 o’clock the older of the two managing directors of the company gave the two pigs to the “Association against animal factories” (VgT) with the words “the pigs are left to you”, explicitly without asking for money.

The VGT quickly organized a place to stay and asked the animal rescue team to come and fetch the pigs.
But the younger manager revoked the donation about an hour later.

Then it went up and down, various people, including an organic farmer, offered up to € 3,000 for the animals, but apparently the Chamber of Agriculture prevented the handover.

After its intervention it was said that the pigs were not for sale, although the older managing director told the VGT afterwards that he would have gladly left them to the animal rights activist.
So the police went to evacuate around 5 p.m.

Police violence against peaceful animal rights activists

The VGT presents a video of the violent eviction of the peaceful animal rights activists who only wanted to save the two pigs Mickey and Jackie from their completely senseless death:

“Now he obviously wants to kill the pigs to injure us. It would be appalling if Mickey and Jackie were simply executed, ”said VGT chairman Martin Balluch, dismayed.
The result is still pending.

During and after the eviction, the official veterinarian present mocked the animal rights activists in an ugly way.

“Giving the animals straw and a run is cruelty to animals, they could get pneumonia” , she said!!

pigs in the hell of fattening pig factory-Austria

The VGT has a carcass inspection of the pigs from this farm dated June 11, 2021.
According to this, 43% (!) of the animals from this pig factory had pneumonia and 7% of them had foreign content in the lungs! Roundworms were found in the liver of 17% of the pigs and a full 70% of the animals had an illness, whereby bite and scratch injuries as well as swollen joints and calluses were not recorded.

VGT chairman Martin Balluch was there and was brutally torn from the ramp onto the animal transport by the police:
“These pigs are owned by the VGT, they were given to us and this donation cannot be easily reversed.
To do this, we will take legal action to get our property back. “

Finally: “Unfortunately, the state has used its power again to bend the law to the disadvantage of the pigs instead of protecting the animals.
Animals are still considered things for which there should be no emergency aid.
If the animal protection law were to be taken seriously, this pig factory would have to be closed.
However, with such official veterinarians all empathy is lost.
The Hippocratic oath to always stand up for the interests of her patients obviously does not count for her.
Instead, she said in all seriousness that the pigs were better off in the animal factory than outside.
The carcass inspection certificates of the pigs from this farm speak a completely different language.
The incident proves: with such official vets there will never be effective control of the animal industry, and with such animal factory operators it will never be possible to improve the lot of the pigs, unless there are very clear laws that prohibit fully slatted floors and make straw bedding mandatory.
These people have no conscience and no compassion. You can only get hold of them with legal prohibitions. ” (Martin Balluch)

https://vgt.at/presse/news/2021/news20210806mn.php

And I mean…State violence is escalating.
If 600 arrested demonstrators and one death in Berlin is the bill of a peaceful demonstration against Corona measures, why would the police have any inhibitions to brutally beat a few compassionate animal liberators who only wanted to protect two pigs that were given them free?

Was the farmer afraid that the animal rights activists would beat him and that’s why he calls the police to protect himself from the violence of the “terrorists”?!!

Of course not! In general, police officers are only the front-line workers of a skillfully working back-stage- dictatorship made up of experts from politics, the meat industry and the judiciary, and their violence is only a clear instruction that in the future we should understand “herd immunity” primarily as a deliberate lack of criticism and resistance towards the state apparatus

My best regards to all, Venus

Environmental, General News, Vegan Recipes

USA: Average American Believes US Could Be ‘Entirely’ Meat-Free By 2039, Poll Finds.

Vegan Breakfast Potato Hash | Recipes | Daily Harvest Express

WAV Comment – Having enjoyed many states in the USA over many years; 12, 14 visits –  lost count; and witnessing some people eat, ‘dive in and eat all you can’ type thing; especially in say, Las Vegas, for example; I personally have big doubts that the USA would ever ‘entirely’ be meat free.

Obviously I would love to see it happen, but am afraid this maybe just media hype rather than reality.

Quote from article – Despite the optimism for a meat-free future, 52% of respondents said turning plant-based isn’t a ‘realistic possibility’ for them right now.

On the other hand, this 2039 scenario is approximately 18 years in the future; and so, hopefully, the very young children of today will be well educated teenagers by then; hopefully eating plant based diets, meat free, for the benefit of them, their health, animals and the environment, as so much present research clearly shows.

Only on 4/8 I was talking to a good (female) friend about all these issues; she is a hairdresser by profession and so meets many people in her work each week.  She told me that from her own experiences, so many of her younger clients (we are in England) are now so fully aware of environmental, animal welfare and food issues, so divorced and so much away from the traditional ‘Sunday Roast’ mob that you sometimes find with some older, entrenched generations who have always had it that way.

So, lets hope those youngsters of today will be taking the issues with them into adulthood.

Possibly, in 20 years time, the amount of Americans who have changed to plant based eating will be huge.  Maybe this vision will eventually become a reality..

Regards Mark

3,706 BEST Beef Carcass IMAGES, STOCK PHOTOS & VECTORS | Adobe Stock

Average American Believes US Could Be ‘Entirely’ Meat-Free By 2039, Poll Finds

Despite the optimism for a meat-free future, 52% of respondents said turning plant-based isn’t a ‘realistic possibility’ for them right now

The average American believes the US could be ‘entirely’ meat-free by the year 2039, according to a new poll.

The 2,000-person survey was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Vegan Strong. It found one in three respondents agrees that everyone will be eating meatless foods in the future. 

The average year participants think everyone will follow a plant-based diet is 2039.

‘Plants have all the protein you need’

Despite the optimism, a staggering 52 percent of those surveyed said turning plant-based isn’t a ‘realistic possibility’ for them right now. Moreover, one in five said plant-based diets are too expensive and 19 percent think it would be ‘too time-consuming to learn the ins and outs’.

Similarly, 55 percent worry they ‘couldn’t survive on a vegan diet’ based on the amount of protein it provides.

Robert Cheeke is Vegan Strong’s National Tour Director. In a statement sent to PBN, he said: “Most people don’t realize that plants have all the protein you need.  

“Yet many elite athletes are converting to a plant-based diet because they are seeing their performance and strength improve dramatically.”

However, 31 percent admitted to having given a vegan recipe a go for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Plant-based eating can be incredibly affordable if you focus on eating fruits, vegetables, beans, rice, nuts, and seeds,” Cheeke then added.  “Going vegan is better for your health, your wallet, and the earth.”

Is the future meat-free?

Moreover, in 2019, a major report predicted 60 percent of meat consumed in 2040 won’t come from dead animals.

The report, by global consultancy AT Kearney, says 35 percent of meat will be lab-cultured and 25 percent will be vegan alternatives.

The predictions were based on interviews with experts. Environmental impact and animal welfare concerns were cited as reasons behind the growing interest in alternative protein.

Source:

Average American Believes US Could Be ‘Entirely’ Meat-Free By 2039 | Plant Based News

General News

What is a violation?

Think about who you needleslsy violate when you aren’t vegan.


In all of the ways that matter, non-human animals are others who experience reality and suffer just like humans do, and being vegan is basic decency in our co-existence with other animals.
Humans who still aren’t vegan in the modern world should have their freedoms rubbished.
Humanity may then finally awaken to the reality of the situation for them.

Text: Anonymous for the Voiceless

And I mean…As natural as the legalization of human superiority over other animals in our everyday life appears at first glance – in reality and in plain language it is like this: In fact, there is no human being who is more valuable than the living beings that he enslaves, exploits and uses for own purposes.

By the way, we might as well…
-Transporting people for days without food and water?
– Getting human mothers pregnant again and again in order to steal their milk?
-Taking away their children from the constantly impregnated human mothers so that the human babies do not drink the milk?
-killing the human babies taken from human mothers and process them into meat and sausage?

So there must be other reasons why pigs are eaten and humans are not. Probably has to do with the fact that pigs are the weaker ones.
And what is someone who abuses and exploits the weaker?

Oh well, humans have rights and animals don’t, because … well, … because we just set it that way!

My best regards to all, Venus

Live Transport

EU- Stop animal transports on the heat! Right away!

Report from the german organization Animals ’Angels e.V.
August 5, 2021

Heat wave in Greece – temperatures up to 47 ° C – but animal transports continue!
An Animals ‘Angels team is on site on the motorway in the north of the country.

Many of the sheep and lambs are transported from Romania.

The government there recently instructed the veterinary authorities not to have these animals transported on four levels, but on a maximum of three levels.
This should give them more space and allow the air to circulate better. So much for the theory.

But the new decree is apparently ignored by the transporters, because it endangers their profits.

In the truck with three levels, we therefore see far too many animals – even more than usual – squeezed together.
They are so close that they can hardly move anymore. In addition, some of the vehicles are not built to transport the animals on less than four levels.

As a result, most of the water troughs are not at the level of the animals. Many cannot get to them and remain thirsty in the extreme heat.

Continue reading “EU- Stop animal transports on the heat! Right away!” →

General News, Uncategorized

England: 5/8/21 – UK Government Responds To Issue Of Ex Racehorse Welfare and Slaughter.

Things appear to be on the move a little.

Recently, in addition to our English slaughterhouse actions – England: Update 5/8/21 – Abuses At English Slaughterhouse. We Now Have Initial Reply From Food Standards Agency (FSA). – World Animals Voice  we have been working regarding the suffering of some ex racehorses at specific English (horse) slaughterhouses.

There was also a government petition about this, which we signed.  Under UK law, if a petition gats 100,000+ signatures, then it will be debated formally in the House of Commons, the house where new acts are formatted before going on to the House of Lords.  Sadly, despite actions by many thousands of activists, the necessary 100k signatures were not met.

Regardless, the government has been sent a clear message. They have responded as follows.

Regards Mark

Here is a copy of the original petition:

Introduce national limits on horse breeding

Unrestricted horse breeding has led to an excessive number of equines. The result is the slaughter of thousands of horses each year. We call on the Government to introduce a national limit on the number of equines that can be produced by horse breeders, reducing the number of unwanted horses.

The absence of Government intervention in horse welfare has led to going equine crises. Over-breeding is a major cause of problems. The Government needs to address this issue by setting clear limits on the number of foals born annually. All breeders would need to apply for a licence to breed horses. There would be significant sanctions for anyone breeding horses without a licence or breeding more horses than licensed to do so, including anyone sending horses to slaughter.

The UK government has replied to this action and provided us with the following response:

———————————————————————————

Dear Mark Johnson,

The Government has responded to the petition you signed – “Introduce national limits on horse breeding”.

Government responded:

The Government shares the public’s high regard for animal welfare. We continue to have close engagement with the equine sector and are monitoring the situation regarding the supply of foals.

The Government shares the public’s high regard for animal welfare, and we are committed to enhancing the UK’s position as a world leader in the protection of animals. The Action Plan for Animal Welfare (APAW) is an ambitious plan which sets out an overview of the Government’s main priorities on animal welfare and conservation, including horse welfare. The Action Plan can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/action-plan-for-animal-welfare

The Government continues to take positive action to promote and improve equine welfare. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or fail to provide for its welfare. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 came into force on the 29 June 2021. The Act’s new maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine will apply to animal cruelty offences, including causing unnecessary suffering, and is a significant step forward in improving animal welfare.

To promote responsible ownership, there is clear guidance available to educate and remind horse owners of their responsibilities to provide for the welfare needs of their animal. The statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids makes clear that you should consider buying or rehoming a youngster before taking the decision to breed. The foal’s individual future must also be considered before breeding from your equine, and the code highlights the UK’s overpopulation problem at the time of publication.
The Code can be found here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/700200/horses-welfare-codes-of-practice-april2018.pdf

Further information on responsible breeding is available to the public, including World Horse Welfare’s “Need to Breed” initiative which can be found here:
https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/advice/management/do-you-need-to-breed.

Information regarding the British Horse Society’s “Think Before You Breed” campaign can be found here:
https://www.bhs.org.uk/our-work/welfare/our-campaigns/think-before-you-breed

The welfare of horses at end of life is a priority for the Government. As set out in the Code of Practice, horse owners should proactively develop a plan for a horse’s end of life in order to prevent unnecessary pain and distress. World Horse Welfare provides advice on end of life decision making:
https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/advice/management/end-of-life .

Euthanasia may be considered in several circumstances, including when a horse’s quality of life has deteriorated significantly for example due to chronic or age-related conditions. We would encourage owners to seek a veterinary opinion in such circumstances. If a decision is taken to end a horse’s life, they must be humanely destroyed by a vet or a suitably qualified, experienced and equipped person, such as a licensed slaughterman. The welfare of horses at slaughter is governed by the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 1995, The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) 2015 and retained EC Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing.

The APAW includes a commitment to pursuing the licensing of animal sanctuaries, rescue and rehoming centres. Defra has been engaging with rescue and rehoming organisations, including those involved with equines, to understand their views and the possible impacts of regulating the sector. Any proposals to bring forward licensing regulations will be subject to a consultation.

There are currently no plans to introduce statutory licensing in relation to the activity of horse breeding. Many other approaches already address the issue of overbreeding. It is also unclear how any national limit on equine births would be implemented and enforced in practice, without introducing significant regulatory burdens. The key issue at stake is how well equines are cared for after they have been born, and existing protections already address this. We continue to have close engagement with key stakeholders in the equine sector and are monitoring the situation regarding the supply of foals.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Click this link to view the response online:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/585547?reveal_response=yes

The Petitions Committee will take a look at this petition and its response. They can press the government for action and gather evidence. If this petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the Committee will consider it for a debate.

The Committee is made up of 11 MPs, from political parties in government and in opposition. It is entirely independent of the Government. Find out more about the Committee: https://petition.parliament.uk/help#petitions-committee

Thanks,
The Petitions team
UK Government and Parliament

Farm Animals, General News

England: Update 5/8/21 – Abuses At English Slaughterhouse. We Now Have Initial Reply From Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Petitions are good, but sometimes as individuals we have to take further actions to get any result. I think people are really out now to close this hell hole for animals down for ever.

Recently we covered in detail the issue of the English slaughterhouse which was not fit for purpose and which was non compliant with animal welfare legislation:

England: WAV Follow Up With Letter To Relevant Authorities Re English Slaughterhouse Abuses Filmed On CCTV. – World Animals Voice

England: Hewitt Slaughterhouse Abuses. WAV Now Write To Government Minister Responsible and Also To Food Standards Agency Re Veterinarian. – World Animals Voice

England: Shut Down Hewitt Slaughterhouse – Planned Events and Actions (If You Cannot Attend, Send A Letter) – Link Provided. – World Animals Voice

On the 4/8/21, I had a mail back from the Complaints and Transparency Adviser at the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which is the responsible section of the British government.  It is positive to read that an investigation into the abuses shown is already underway.

Further, it is also good to hear that the FSA should review all the procedures in the slaughterhouse constantly; which the approved veterinarian does not do from the footage obtained from the CCTV.

Also, it is positive to read that ‘We (FSA) are working closely with the slaughterhouse team and the relevant CCTV footage has been assessed by FSA vets. As this is part of an ongoing investigation with potential for criminal proceedings’.

As investigations are still currently ongoing, we accept that this statement is all that we can be provided with for the current time – but we do see several sounding positives here, especially the one relating to ‘potential criminal proceedings’.

I will publish further news on this issue as and when we hear more as a result of the investigation.

Regards Mark

————————————————–

The FSA letter is as follows (non edited).

Dear Mark,

Thank you for raising your complaint with us.

The Food Standards Agency takes animal welfare at slaughterhouses very seriously and in the interest of transparency we can confirm that an investigation into these allegations is already underway.

We have staff present in slaughterhouses during operating hours and CCTV, where there are live animals, is mandatory in slaughterhouses in England as part of measures to monitor and enforce animal welfare requirements.

We are working closely with the slaughterhouse team and the relevant CCTV footage has been assessed by FSA vets. As this is part of an ongoing investigation with potential for criminal proceedings, the FSA cannot comment further at this stage or pursue the matter through our external complaints process.

Yours sincerely,

Joe Montague

Complaints and Transparency Adviser

People and Organisational Change

Food Standards Agency (FSA).