Month: May 2024

Study – Despite the pervasive public interest in animal welfare, the framing of animal rights activism in the media has largely contributed to its depoliticization.

Study reveals how media representations of animal rights advocacy contribute to its depoliticization (msn.com)

Despite the pervasive public interest in animal welfare, the framing of animal rights activism in the media has largely contributed to its depoliticization, argues a paper in Polity. “Vegans and “Green-Collared Criminals,'” by Serrin Rutledge-Prior, presents the reaction to a day of animal rights protests in cities and towns around Australia in 2019, and ultimately concludes that the public narratives about the activists delegitimized their endeavors.

Use above link to continue reading.

China: Cat Torture – London Protest May 21st 2024. Piccadilly Circus – Chinatown, Then On To Chinese Embassy. – World Animals Voice

China: Cat Torture – X STORM – Wednesday 22nd May 2024. – World Animals Voice

UK: Queen Pledges Not To Buy Any More Fur.

Queen Camilla pledges not to buy any more fur in latest Palace move away from animal products – after foie gras banned, holy oil for anointing the King was ‘cruelty-free’ and Coronation roll produced on paper for the first time.

Getty Images

Queen Camilla has pledged not to buy any more fur products in the latest move by Buckingham Palace to not use animal products. 

The Palace sent a letter with ‘the Queen’s warmest wishes’ to the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) which vowed Camilla ‘will not procure any new fur garments’.

The animal-rights group toasted the news with a glass of the finest claret and its managing director Ingrid Newkirk said: ‘It’s right and proper for the British monarchy to reflect British values by recognising that fur has no place in our society.’

Continue reading at:

Queen Camilla pledges not to buy any more fur in latest Palace move away from animal products – after foie gras banned, holy oil for anointing the King was ‘cruelty-free’ and Coronation roll produced on paper for the first time | Daily Mail Online

China Cat Torture Actions:

China: Cat Torture – London Protest May 21st 2024. Piccadilly Circus – Chinatown, Then On To Chinese Embassy. – World Animals Voice

China: Cat Torture – X STORM – Wednesday 22nd May 2024. – World Animals Voice

UK: More Live Export Ban Info.

The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation is delighted the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill has passed its Third Reading in the House of Lords

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Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill passes through Parliament!

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London, 14th May 2024

Today (14th May) The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) is delighted the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill has passed its Third Reading in the House of Lords.

This follows the Bill passing its Report Stage on 8th May in the House of Lords and Committee Stage on 14th March, having already passed all of its stages in the House of Commons.

The Bill has now completed all of its stages and will soon receive Royal Assent to become law and ban live exports for slaughter and fattening.

Throughout its passage in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the Bill has attracted support across parties. During the Third Reading in the House of Commons, Minister Mark Spencer said that ending live exports for fattening and slaughter “is close to the hearts of many in this House”. Several Conservative MPs spoke in support of the Bill, including Patron and former Secretary of State for Defra Theresa Villiers MP, Patron Henry Smith MP, former Secretary of State for Defra Dr Therese Coffey MP, and Sir Mike Penning MP.

The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill will ban the export of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain, stopping unnecessary stress, exhaustion and injury caused by exporting live animals. You can read more about the Bill here <https://conservativeanimalwelfarefoundation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=39260baecf6044e1f26ef4f9d&id=bf0910abaa&e=57f5095601>

.The commitment to end live exports for fattening and slaughter honours a popular Conservative Party Manifesto commitment and delivers an important component of Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare. Since the founding of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation in 2016, ending live exports for fattening and slaughter has been a core campaign. Historically Great Britain has exported large numbers of sheep and calves abroad to France and as far afield as Spain. Overcrowding means that some cannot lie down at all, while those who do may be injured or trampled to death. They can be in transit for days, suffering extremes of temperature and often without sufficient food, water or rest.

Animals may end up in countries with far poorer welfare standards than our own, enduring practices which are illegal in the UK such as veal crates. Calves placed into the Dutch white veal pen systems, where they are unable to perform natural behaviour, are barely able to turn around.

Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation would like to thank the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak MP, Secretary of State for Defra Steve Barclay MP, and the Defra team for their continued support for this critical measure which will spare many animals the suffering they endure on long journeys overseas.

Lorraine Platt, Co-Founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, commented: “We are delighted the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill passed its Third Reading in the House of Lords. With the Bill now awaiting Royal Assent, today we have made history in passing legislation to finally put an end to the cruel live export trade for fattening and slaughter.”

“This Bill –which delivers a key Manifesto commitment, as well as an important component of Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare– has enjoyed the strong support of MPs and Peers across the political spectrum.”

“We are grateful to Minister Lord Douglas-Miller for leading the Bill in the Lords, and Secretary of State Steve Barclay for leading the Bill in the Commons, as well as to the wider Defra team for their hard work on this important subject.”

.CLIFFS LIT UP IN CELEBRATION OF LIVE EXPORT BAN

https://www.ciwf.org.uk/

About the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation was established in 2016 to raise awareness on the lives of billions of animals reared on intensive farms around the world and how this impact upon animal welfare, the environment and public health. We want to highlight the action people can take to help advance farm animal welfare.

Animal welfare is an increasing concern amongst the public, who frequently look to Government to take the lead in both maintaining and improving standards.

The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation believes it is highly important that the welfare of farm animals is placed at the forefront of the Governments plan for food and farming along with its focus on productivity, competitiveness, and technology.


CLIFFS LIT UP IN CELEBRATION OF LIVE EXPORT BAN

https://www.ciwf.org.uk/news/2024/05/cliffs-lit-up-in-celebration-of-live-export-ban

Regards Mark

Remembering Jill and many others in this campaign.

UK: Parliament FINALLY Passes Animal Welfare (Live Exports) Bill To Protect Farmed Animals. Mega Result For Activists !

After Tory dither and delay, parliament FINALLY passes Animal Welfare Bill to protect farmed animals

On Tuesday 14 May, the UK House of Lords passed a landmark new bill on animal welfare. Of course, it’s a major win for animal rights. However, it likely could have happened a lot sooner if not for Tory wrangling on previous bills.

Animal Welfare Bill passes through parliament

The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill prohibits the export of cattle, goats, pigs, and horses for slaughter, and fattening for slaughter.

It aims to improve animal welfare in farming by ending long, arduous journeys to other countries. These journeys regularly put animals through overcrowding, exhaustion, dehydration and stress.

However, on 14 May (2024), the House of Lords passed the new bill that will bring this appalling practice to a close. It will now head for royal assent before becoming law.

Activists have been calling for the ban for decades. Emma Slawinski, director of policy, prevention and campaigns at the RSPCA animal charity, described it as “an extraordinary achievement” that activists had campaigned on for 50 years. She said that:

Back in the 90s we had more than a million animals going out from the UK. It’s an abhorrent trade. The suffering is intense and it goes on for a long time.

Some of those journeys were measured in days, not in hours, and they’re never going to happen again.

Activists launched particularly fierce and dedicated campaigning during this time. Notable among this was a coordinated wave of protests and direct action against the practice at the port of Brightlingsea in Essex in 1995. UK media dubbed the event “The Battle of Brightlingsea”.

In tandem with this, on February 1, 1995, Jill Phipps (photo above) was one of a few dozen animal rights activists who broke through a police line at Coventry Airport in central England. She was crushed to death under a lorry as she protested against the export of live calves for veal in 1995.

Continue reading at:

Animal Welfare Bill: step forward for animal rights to become law (thecanary.co)

It does not seem to be true really; after 40+ years of fighting this campaign personally; now we have it enshrined in Law.

A wonderful result that many good friends who fought for years; but are no longer with us, will be having a beer or two (somewhere) tonight.

I think I will be joining them !

Regards Mark

Above – Great Friend and Export Campaigner – Mike Tucker (London).

Above – A cold day fighting for the calves at Dover.

Remembering dear friend John; he made such a contribution:

Giant Whales Reappear After Being Missing for Over a Century.

Sei whales, known for their impressive size and distinctive blue-gray coloring, have returned to Argentina’s Patagonian coast after more than a century of absence.

According to a report by India Today, the reappearance of Sei whales is evidence of the positive impacts of international bans on commercial whaling implemented decades ago.

During the 1920s and 1930s, the Sei whale population was nearly decimated due to rampant commercial whaling.

The global prohibition of this practice has allowed these majestic marine creatures to gradually recover, demonstrating the effectiveness of sustained international wildlife conservation efforts.

Continue reading (with photos) at:

Regards Mark

EU: European Elections 6-9 June 2024: 500 Candidates Take The Pledge For Animals.

16 May 2024

Press Release

More than 500 candidate MEPs have pledged to do more to protect animals at EU level should they be elected to the European Parliament in three weeks.

The Vote for Animals campaign, run by Eurogroup for Animals and its members, asks candidates to take a pledge committing to do more for better protection of all animals at EU level.

The pledge addresses live animal transport, non-animal science, welfare of aquatic species, the conservation of wild animals, imports of animal-based products, and welfare of companion animals. It also addresses a future fur farming ban, the importance of sustainable food production and an ask for an EU commissioner for animal welfare.

Candidates spanning the entire political spectrum across 26 Member States have made the commitment. So far, Finland, Italy and France have the largest number of candidates supporting the pledge.

EU citizens have the opportunity to ask their candidates to sign the pledge, by sending a message through a dedicated platform, which is available in all EU languages. So far, over 9,000 citizens have sent a message to their candidates.

An estimated 400 million EU citizens are eligible to vote in the European elections set to take place between 6-9 June. The demand for improved EU legislation on animal welfare has been resoundingly voiced: 91% of Europeans believe that safeguarding the welfare of farmed animals is crucial, while 84% feel that current protection measures are not enough.

Taking the pledge for the animals is a commitment that in the next legislature, should I be elected, I will continue to push for better EU legislation to protect all animals across their lifespan. There is a critical need for action to phase out animals in cages, as per citizens’ demands, and a push for more ambitious legislation for animals during transport. The promised revision of the animal welfare legislation should be a top priority for the next Commission.

Niels Fuglsang, candidate MEP (Socialdemokraterne, Denmark) and Vice-President of the Intergroup for Animal Welfare.

The majority of EU citizens want animals to be better protected in Europe. To achieve this, we need more MEPs who want the EU to do more. Voting for candidates who have signed the Vote For Animals pledge is the best way to advance animal welfare in the EU. If I am re-elected, I pledge to continue to be the voice of animals and their defender in the European Parliament.

Caroline Roose, candidate MEP (Europe Écologie, France) and Vice-President of the Intergroup for Animal Welfare.

It is great to see so many candidates take a pledge for the animals. It is important that the next European Parliament represents citizens’ demands for better protection of all animal species, and MEPs can help to ensure that this topic stays on top of the agenda for the next term.

Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals.

Good stuff !

Regards Mark

World Federation for Animals Commits To Elevating Animal Welfare In Sustainable Development Agenda.

15 May 2024

Over 60 organisations gathered in Copenhagen for the first General Assembly of the World Federation for Animals (WFA). They collectively committed to embark on a journey to ensure animal welfare is recognised as essential to the achievement of the global sustainable development agenda.

The event brought together leaders and advocates from five continents to solidify their commitment to integrating animal welfare into the global sustainable development agenda.

A Promise to Animals & Our Future 

During the Assembly, the WFA launched its Promise to Animals & Our Future. This commitment builds on the understanding of the urgent need for systemic change in how animals are treated across sectors and underscores their profound impact on global health, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods. 

The Federation has promised to work with international bodies, governments, corporations, and communities to establish animal welfare as a fundamental aspect of sustainable development. 

This promise comes at a critical moment, as the world evaluates progress at the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015. 

With countries nowhere near reaching the Sustainable Development Goals, this initiative offers a new perspective on achieving a sustainable future that includes animal welfare. 

The UN’s global policy agenda must include animal protection: not only for the animals but for humans, future generations and the whole planet. We can only achieve sustainable development, tackle the current environmental crises, foster resilient societies and ecosystems, and prevent the next pandemics if we transform how we treat animals.

Dr James Yeates, CEO, World Federation for Animals

WFA is a membership organisation founded in 2020 by and for national, regional, and international animal protection organisations. WFA is the result of these organisations’ decision to join forces and work together towards a broad representation of the interests of animals in international policy.

 Eurogroup for Animals is proud to support the WFA as a founding member.

Regards Mark

Ireland: Live Transport Vessel Denied Entry To Irish Port Thanks To Campaigners.

Photo EFI

14 May 2024

EFI

Ethical Farming Ireland succeeded in preventing a 45 year old transport vessel from coming into port at Greenore to collect Irish cattle for export.

The Sarah M was scheduled to dock at Greenore on Ireland’s northeast coast on April 30, to collect 2000 young bulls for export. 

The ship had recently been classed with the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, and was therefore subject to European Union sanctions which include denial of access to EU ports. 

Ethical Farming Ireland alerted the Department of Transport of this breach, which resulted in the vessel being denied entry. 

The organisation has long campaigned against live export from Ireland to mainland Europe and beyond, as thousands of animals are exported to countries as far afield as Libya, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt and Turkey each year. 

The organisation has expressed disappointment that their intervention was necessary in order to ensure proper regulation of the vessel.

Such incidents are not uncommon amongst live transport vessels, as revealed in new research by Animal Welfare Foundation. Nearly half of the animal transport vessels approved in the EU are flying the flag of a country marked by the Paris Memorandum of Understanding as a black flag (for example Togo, Sierra Leone or Tanzania). 

This flag indicates these vessels pose a high risk to maritime traffic, as well as to the animals, crew and environment.

Regards Mark

Australia To Phase Out Live Exports Of Sheep – Animals International. Additional Post.

13 May 2024

Animals International

A five year phase out plan and $107m support package has been promised by the Australian government, meaning live exports of sheep will end on 1 May 2028.

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt made the announcement on 11 May, noting that legislation will be introduced in this term of the Australian Parliament to end the trade in law.

The decision was taken after years of campaigning from animal welfare organisations, with polls revealing that the majority of Australian citizens want to see an end to the cruel trade. 

The live sheep export industry has shown time and again that they are unable to meet the community’s expectations.

Murray Watt, Australian Agriculture Minister

Live export has also been in a long-term economic decline, and now accounts for only 0.1% of Australia’s agricultural exports. 

This has directly corresponded with an increase in the trade of meat products, with trade in chilled sheep meat now 58 times the value of the live sheep export trade. Sales of chilled Australian sheep meat to the Middle East alone now represent $632 million, compared to only $77 million of profits from the entire live sheep export trade.

Decades of investigations have confirmed the stressful, dirty and overcrowded conditions that sheep are subjected to during long sea journeys from Australia. Heat stress can be fatal for animals aboard transport vessels, as tragically proven during the 2017 Awassi Express disaster where around 2,400 sheep died from heat stress whilst travelling between Australia and the Middle East. 

While of course we wish it was sooner, we also recognise and respect the responsibility of the Government to consider all who are impacted by this historic decision… Considering the decades of dedicated effort and advocacy, it is understandable that some doubted whether this trade would end in their lifetime. Now we know differently.

Animals International

Our recent post:

Best – Mark

England: Brit woman dubbed ‘The Immolator’ admits role in sick monkey torture ring where fiends pay to put animals in blenders.

This shows, as does our expose of Chinese cat torture – Search Results for “china cat torture” – World Animals Voice – that this sickening abuse spreads far and wide around the globe.

But the abusers can run but no longer hide; as campaigners across the globe are now hunting them down, publishing their photographs and detailing their convictions for authorities across the world to use when bringing convictions.  We are in the final stages of putting together all of our data which will be presented to the relevant authorities for actions.

You can see from the article below that despite the involvement of British and UK persons in these abuses; 2 people have also been imprisoned in Indonesia for same.

A very interesting article regarding UK animal torture.  A British woman admits her role in monkey torture ring.

Click on link to see all photographs and a video of her arriving at court.

Link – Brit woman dubbed ‘The Immolator’ admits role in sick monkey torture ring where fiends pay to put animals in blenders | The Sun

Copied from the article (link above) produced by The Sun – a UK newspaper.

Holly LeGresley today pleaded guilty to the charges Credit: Facebook

A probe found people were paying Indonesians to torture monkeys Credit: BBC

A BRIT known as The Immolator has admitted to her role in a monkey torture ring where fiends pay for the animals to be killed for sexual kicks.

Self-proclaimed animal lover Holly LeGresley, 37, led a secret life as a moderator in one of the global online groups.

She today admitted publishing an obscene article and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Co-defendant Adriana Orme, 55, indicated no plea to the charges at Worcester Magistrates’ Court today.

The pair, from Kidderminster and Upton-upon Severn, were released on conditional bail.

LeGresley, who will be sentenced next month, published 22 images and 132 monkey torture videos to online chat groups, the charge sheet states.

She also made a payment of £17.24 to a PayPal account to encourage cruelty.

Orme allegedly uploaded one image and 26 videos of monkey torture between April 14 and June 16, 2022.

She is accused of encouraging or assisting the commission of unnecessary suffering by making a £10 payment to a PayPal account on April 26, 2022.

The court was told the women had “not carried out monkey torture themselves”.

West Mercia Police confirmed the charges are in relation to causing, consuming and facilitating the torture of monkeys.

It came after the BBC exposed a global monkey torture gang following a year-long investigation.

They discovered hundreds were paying Indonesians to kill infant long-tailed macaques on video.

Torture methods include setting the animals on fire and putting them in blenders.

LeGresley was known as The Immolator, meaning someone who practises sacrifice.

She once ran a poll on which torture method should be used on a baby monkey.

The bird lover describes her love of gore on Facebook – branding Hannibal Lecter and Pennywise the Clown “horror icons”.

She has even lashed out at films that portray animal cruelty before, including Suicide Squad spin-off Birds of Prey.

Complaining about a scene where an aviary is set alight, LeGresley wrote: “That’s sick. You don’t do that s***, even [with] computer graphics because it’s too far.

“Shouldn’t be allowed to put such gratuitous animal cruelty in a movie when it doesn’t even really serve the story. Sick twisted people who made this film.

“Won’t be spending any more of my money on the franchise. What a disappointment.”

Three people including suspected ringleader Michael Macartney have been charged in the US.

The 50-year-old, who went by the alias “Torture King”, ran several chat groups from around the world on encrypted messaging app Telegram.

The groups shared sick ideas for custom-made torture videos, which were then sent with payments to Indonesia.

According to US court papers, Macartney is accused of distributing videos depicting the “torture, murder, and sexually sadistic mutilation of animals, specifically juvenile and adult monkeys”.

The BBC reports he has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy charges and faces up to five years in jail.

He previously described joining his first Telegram monkey group, saying: “They had a poll set up. Do you want a hammer involved? Do you want pliers involved? Do you want a screwdriver?”

Macartney, from Virginia, said it was the “most grotesque thing I have ever seen”.

At least 20 people have been investigated over the sick videos – including three women living in the UK who were arrested in 2022.

Two people have been imprisoned in Indonesia, while David Christopher Noble and Nicole Devilbiss have been charged in the US.

WAV Comment – Please use this link to see all the photographs and a video:

Brit woman dubbed ‘The Immolator’ admits role in sick monkey torture ring where fiends pay to put animals in blenders | The Sun

Extra – We (WAV) are running 2 petitions relating to cat torture in China, which can be viewed and signed at:

UK – Petition · Chinese Cat Torture – Time For Action To Stop It. – United Kingdom · Change.org

Germany – https://www.change.org/p/china-katzen-folter-ring-cat-torture-ring

We are experiencing huge problems (like many others around the world) in being able to present our petitions to the Chinese authorities.  Until we do, then the petitions remain.

So, Please sign and pass on, thank you.

Regards Mark and Diana