Category: Farm Animals

Environmental, Farm Animals, General News, Uncategorized

EU: Seven EU Citizens Who Started The ECI — Launch A Ground-Breaking Legal Action Against The European Commission For Failing To Act For Caged Animals. 
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/to-protect-caged-animals-we-are-suing-the-european-commission/ar-BB1kCAXP?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=DCTS&cvid=78f397699eb645008260975799ee4a90&ei=13

Despite a clear commitment from the European Commission in 2021 to deliver proposals to ban caged animal farming by the end of 2023, it has failed to deliver on its promise.

As a result, last week, the End the Cage Age Citizens’ Committee — a group of seven EU citizens who started the ECI — launched a ground-breaking legal action against the European Commission for failing to act. 

Funded by Compassion in World Farming, this historic case could result in the Commission being compelled by the court to set out a clear timescale for the legislation. 

It is the first legal action to hold the Commission to account over its failure to act on an ECI — an important test case for both animal welfare and democracy.

Despite overwhelming support, animals continue to suffer

Back in 2021, Compassion in World Farming, along with millions of European citizens, celebrated the news of the European Commission’s clear commitment. 

It followed the first ever successful European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) to ‘End the Cage Age’, which was signed by an overwhelming 1.4 million EU citizens and supported by a coalition of 170 NGOs led by Compassion. 

ECIs were introduced with the specific purpose of giving citizens more influence over EU decision making and the tool is described by the European Commission as “a way for you and other Europeans to take an active part in EU policy-making”.

Pregnant sows are forced to nurse their piglets in crates so small they can’t even turn around; chickens can’t spread their wings, and along with countless rabbits and quail will spend all their lives in barren cages.

In October last year, the European Commission’s own Eurobarometer survey revealed that an overwhelming nine out of ten, or 89% of EU citizens — around 400 million people — believe animals should not be farmed in individual cages. 

The Commission’s own scientific advisers, the European Food Safety Authority, have also backed the phasing out of cages on welfare grounds for pigs, dairy calves, laying hens, ducks, quail and rabbits.

Meanwhile, more than 300 million pigs, hens, rabbits, ducks, quail and geese continue to suffer confinement and misery in cages across the EU each year.

Pregnant sows are forced to nurse their piglets in crates so small they can’t even turn around; chickens can’t spread their wings, and along with countless rabbits and quail will spend all their lives in barren cages. 

Ducks and geese are caged for force-feeding to produce foie gras.

How did the ban get derailed?

In September, we hoped to hear European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen set out the plans to deliver the ban in her State of the Union speech. 

Instead, what we heard were words that echoed the letter she received from the farming federation Copa Cogeca. It seems she caved into pressure from the agriculture lobby to put the ban on hold.

Together with my colleagues in End the Cage Age Citizens’ Committee, we have made repeated requests to meet with the president on behalf of the millions of EU citizens who support the cages ban, without success. 

The cages ban — part of the Commission’s excellent Farm to Fork strategy to meet climate and nature obligations — also has the chance to provide wider environmental and socio-economic benefits.

Yet, last October, an investigation from Lighthouse Reports revealed that “an increasingly assertive meat industry helped derail a historic democratic demand to improve animal welfare standards in the EU”.

We simply cannot allow the powerful farming lobby to have preferential access to decision-makers to influence them to backtrack on promises they have made to citizens. 

This is particularly unjust when those citizens have followed the very process designed to give them more influence over EU decision-making. As a result of this injustice, both animal welfare and democracy are now at stake.

Above – Duck breeders load ducks into a truck to bring them to a slaughterhouse at a poultry farm in Saint Aubin, May 2017 AP Photo/Bob Edme© Provided by Euronews (English)

Above – walk past a truck with live chickens on sale in an informal market in central Athens, May 2012 Thanassis Stavrakis/AP© Provided by Euronews (English)

We can’t wait any longer

There is simply no justification for any further delay. All the appropriate preparation, assessments and consultations have already been carried out by Commission officials and the proposals make strong provision for financial support to help farmers transition to cage-free systems during a phase-out. 

This measure is backed by the animal welfare movement who believe public subsidies should be redirected to reward farmers for transitioning to high welfare and nature-positive systems that benefit society.

Pursuing legal action is not a choice we have taken lightly, but we cannot allow the European Commission to break its promises to citizens, making a mockery of democracy in the process.

The cages ban — part of the Commission’s excellent Farm to Fork strategy to meet climate and nature obligations — also has the chance to provide wider environmental and socio-economic benefits. 

A report from the Institute for European Environmental Policy found that the ban would have greater sustainability benefits. 

These art installations reveal the sad truth about keeping animals in cages

European Parliament overwhelmingly backs ban on caged animal farming

In addition, it concluded that the current discrepancy between legislation in member states was leading to uneven market conditions across the EU, and that a level playing field should be created.

Democracy is not to be mocked

Pursuing legal action is not a choice we have taken lightly, but we cannot allow the European Commission to break its promises to citizens, making a mockery of democracy in the process. 

Most importantly, we cannot stand by silently while millions of animals continue to suffer in cages. Caving into the big agriculture lobby and continuing to use taxpayer funds to prop up this damaging sector is not helping citizens, or the majority of small-to-medium-scale farmers.

The hope is that this ground-breaking legal action — launched on behalf of millions of supportive EU citizens as well as the voiceless 300 million animals still suffering every day in cages — will speed up the ban and ensure that every cage is an empty cage.

We will not rest until we end the Cage Age.

Olga Kikou is Head of Compassion in World Farming EU, the leading farm animal welfare organisation dedicated to ending factory farming and achieving humane and sustainable food production.

Full article and pictures at:

To protect caged animals, we are suing the European Commission (msn.com)

We are 110% behind the actions now taken;

Regards Mark

More reading https://www.ciwf.org.uk/our-campaigns/end-the-cage-age/

Farm Animals, General News, Live Transport

Vast Majority Of Animal Transport Ships Deemed Unseaworthy. Ancient Rust Bucket Bathtubs As We (WAV) Call Them.

All photos – WAV Archive.

26 March 2024

AWF

64 animal transport vessels are allowed to cross European waters, but only 6 of them meet international safety standards.

Former ferry or cargo vessels that had their security clearances revoked are commonly used to transport live animals, meaning the average animal transport vessel in the EU is several decades old, and very unsafe to operate.

Animal Welfare Foundation, together with the French environmental organisation Robin Des Bois, published a comprehensive report on the true state of these sea vessels, concluding that urgent measures must be taken to stop their use.

Sea vessels for animal transport are far from welfare-friendly

Among the 64 animal transport vessels approved for use in the EU currently,  only 4 vessels were originally built for the purpose of transporting animals. All other vessels were retrofitted after around 30 years at sea. 

As this film documents, these vessels are filled with hazards, from sharp edges to rust and defective struts, creating a very high level of risk for both the animals and crew onboard.

With the majority of vessels being in such a dilapidated state, it’s not surprising that there have been a string of disasters during live animal transport by sea over the past years, such as in the case of the Karim Allah and Elbaik. 

Thousands of animals are spending weeks in these unseaworthy ships, where they are forced to stand knee-deep in their own excrement and are exposed to high temperatures, rough seas, crowded quarters, disease and more.

Nearly half of the EU’s live animal sea vessels are flying the black flag

AWF and RDB’s research also reveals that nearly half of the animal transport vessels approved in the EU flew 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. 

The fact these vessels continue to be used show there is a clear lack of concern for animal and human welfare within this transport sector. Three years ago, 17 vessels were identified as highly dangerous for use in transporting animals, but 15 of them are still operational today. 

Action must be taken to improve live animal transport at sea

Three years ago, the European Commission received an initial joint report by AWF and RDB on 78 animal transport vessels approved in the EU. This year’s report shows there has been continued inaction in regards to establishing the safety of these vessels and the welfare of animals in this industry, even against the recommendation of the Commission’s very own inquiry committees. 

If these vessels that are falling apart continue to be used, more transport disasters are inevitable. 

If the industry is not stopped entirely, sea vessels must at least fly the white flag and be IACS-standardised and fully functional, accommodating basic safety measures for the animals and personnel on board. Further, black and grey flags must be prohibited. Strict limits to journey times by sea must be included in the revised Transport Regulation, to mitigate the suffering of animals while they are transported across water.

EU legislation must finally confront the brutal reality of live animal transport by sea and take action. No animal belongs on a ship, [and the sector] cannot and must not continue like this.

Iris Baumgärtner, Animal Welfare Foundation Project Lead

Regards Mark

More reading – https://www.ciwf.org.uk/news/2024/03/governments-urged-to-end-live-exports-now

https://www.ciwf.org/resources/reports-position-papers-briefings/a-data-dump-of-eu-transport-suffering-exposed/?_gl=11otft50_gaNTQ0MTUzNzkyLjE3MTE1NDY1MTA._ga_RMC05PGGT7*MTcxMTU2NTg3Ny4yLjEuMTcxMTU2NjA1OS41My4wLjA.

Farm Animals, General News, Uncategorized

EU: Opinion – Why MEPs and Spitzencandidaten should sign the Vote for Animals pledge.

25 March 2024

Opinion

Written by Reineke Hameleers

Read more content from this author

Having lived close to three European borders, between the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, for most of my life, I consider myself a true European. Others might not feel the same. To a certain extent, this is understandable because European politics has so far failed to address some of the most pressing concerns of its citizens in crucial areas, such as animal welfare.

The upcoming EU elections present an opportunity to re-establish a much-needed connection between our citizens and the EU institutions, which many still perceive as abstract entities, far away from their everyday lives. Despite this, the past five years have seen unprecedented participation of European citizens in the democratic process, as shown by the enormous success of three European Citizens’ Initiatives (ECIs) on animal welfare, recently further confirmed by the results of the 2023 special Eurobarometer. Yet, despite all the promises the closing political term held, there has been no substantive progress on an issue that is so dear to citizens.

I feel proud whenever I remind myself that the EU recognised animals as sentient beings in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) since 1997. Animal sentience refers to the ability of animals to feel and experience emotions such as joy, pleasure, pain and fear. It is the animals’ capacity to feel both positive and negative states that drives the animal welfare movement. It is also the reason why animal protection laws exist. Such recognition should offer enormous legislative scope to create a Europe that truly recognises and values animals for what they are.  However, EU law continues to treat them as mere commodities, goods, and products. To all effect, EU policies are in stark contradiction to the TFEU as regards the treatment of animals.

This glaring discrepancy between the EU’s highest legislation and the reality on the ground is a political failure as it falls short of the expectations of European citizens. This message resonated loud and clear in the cross-party interventions during the recent European Parliament debate calling on the Commission to fulfil its promises and live up to its commitments on animal welfare. 

Will the candidate MEPs and the Spitzenkandidaten use the elections to genuinely listen to citizens and renew their commitment to improving the animal condition? Undeniably, discontent among farmers has been a significant hurdle to progress in this area. However, the causes of this discontent are rooted in our distorted food system and have little to do with animal welfare rules. 

We must dispel the notion that increased animal welfare measures will make farmers more vulnerable. On the contrary, higher animal welfare standards can prove immensely beneficial for creating new market opportunities in the European Union and driving higher standards globally while responding to societal expectations, as echoed by the recent debate in the European Parliament on this topic.

As the elections approach, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. The conditions of farm animals, animals used in science, traded wildlife, and pets demand immediate attention. While some initial steps were taken during the previous term, they are insufficient to meet European citizens’ expectations, not to mention their inadequacy in light of the most recent scientific evidence. 

For this reason, we created a pledge with ten points, which should guide public policy for the next political term, ensuring that European animal welfare legislation will look significantly different by 2029. 

See the pledges:

https://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/vote-animals-pledges

I am a firm believer in the European project, but I am often questioned by our member organisations and their supporters about my faith in the European institutions. Indeed, these are critical times. It is easy to lose hope when faced with indisputable evidence of a lack of political courage. Yet, the EU can and must rise to its fullest potential and continue building a sustainable and kinder future for all. 

Dear candidates, please consider the transformative impact you could achieve by signing our Vote for Animals pledge. This pledge embodies our collective aspiration for a Europe that respects and values animals as sentient beings. By signing it, you will send a clear message to European citizens confirming the European Commission’s commitment to improving the welfare of all animals and ensuring that the relevant legislation will look much different by 2029. 

Together, we can pave the way for a more compassionate Europe. 

Regards Mark

Environmental, Farm Animals, General News, Live Transport, Uncategorized

EU: MEPs Urge European Commission To Deliver On Animal Welfare Proposals.

Above – Foie Gras Force Feeding

Below – The Result

14 March 2024

News

In plenary today, Members of the European Parliament urged the European Commission (EC) to come forward with the outstanding legislative proposals on animal welfare, the future of which remains uncertain. They stressed that the delay is putting the credibility of European institutions in question, as citizens’ demands remain unanswered.

The EC had committed to publish four animal welfare proposals by the end of 2023, but backtracked from this promise by only publishing an unambitious Transport Regulation, and not putting forward the promised Kept Animals, Slaughter and Labelling regulations. The proposals were also set to include phasing out cages by 2027, in reply to the End the Cage Age ECI in which 1.4 million citizens asked for a transition to cage-free systems. 

During the plenary today, a record number of MEPs (41) intervened in the oral question tabled by Neils Fuglsang (S&D, DK). 30 MEPs stressed that while the EC continues to delay action, millions of animals continue to suffer in horrible conditions across all stages of their lives; from farm to transport to slaughter. They criticised the EC for doing “very little” for animal welfare in the past legislative term, and questioned the democratic aspect of ECIs if policymakers do not react to the demands of the citizens. “You are letting down 3 million citizens,” many reiterated, making reference to the End the Cage Age and Fur Free Europe ECIs – both of which remain pending action by the EC.

They urged the EC to come forward with a concrete timeline and answer to the demands of millions of EU citizens.

Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, while admitting that more needs to be done for resilient food systems, said that work on these legislative files is “still ongoing”, and the EC “is analysing the best course of action”. She did not make any commitments on timeline. 

In the run-up to the European Elections, Eurogroup for Animals has launched the Vote for Animals campaign which encourages candidate MEPs to take a pledge for animals, while informing citizens about the importance of these elections for progress on animal welfare.

European citizens can send a message to their candidates asking them to commit to the pledge.

The EC broke its promise on presenting the animal welfare legislation package. And while we wait for a clear timeline, millions of animals continue to live in cages, male chicks continue to be gassed at a day old, while chickens are bred to grow so fast their bodies cannot keep up. These animals deserve a legislative proposal, but there is none. We call on the EC to present a concrete timeline.

MEP Neils Fuglsang (S&D).

What has happened to the promised legislation?

What about the ban on cages?

We have been fighting for years.

How long will these animals have to wait?  Not a day longer.

MEP Anja Hazekamp (The Left)

Not answering to the demands of ECIs would threaten the credibility of EU institutions – the animal welfare legislation should be a priority in the next mandate. We are disappointed – we need to see changes.

MEP Tilly Metz (Greens/efa)

The ECI is an excellent tool to improve democracy, but it only works if those who make the law react to what the citizens want. 1.4 million citizens asked for a ban on cages – more than four years have passed and 300 million animals continue to spend their lives in terrible conditions.

MEP Róża Thun Und Hohenstein (Renew).

Regards Mark
Environmental, Farm Animals, General News

What ? – The omission of meat-eating reduction from ‘roadmap’ strategy set by UN.

I am not allowed to reproduce the article here, so can only give the link:

‘Bewildering’ to omit meat-eating reduction from UN climate plan (msn.com)

The omission of meat-eating reduction from proposals in a UN roadmap to tackle the climate crisis and end hunger is “bewildering”, according to academic experts.

The group also criticised the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s report for “dismissing” the potential of alternative proteins, such as plant-based meat, to reduce the impact of livestock on the environment.

Regards Mark

Busking in London – Cocaine:

Hotel California

Farm Animals, General News

Australia: Farm Worker Allegedly Caught Having Sex With A Pig On Hidden Cameras Set Up By Animal Activists To Expose (Other) Mistreatment.

Farm worker allegedly caught having sex with a pig on hidden cameras set up by animal activists to expose mistreatment

 

An animal rights activist group using hidden cameras at a piggery captured an alleged act of bestiality (pictured)

Animal rights activists who broke into a piggery and installed hidden cameras to expose animal cruelty, found more than they bargained for when the checked the footage. 

Among the weeks of video, Farm Transparency Project’s cameras captured an alleged act of bestiality. 

Footage of the alleged animal cruelty and alleged bestiality in the Midland Bacon plant at Carag Carag in Victoria, 180kilometres north of Melbourne, was shown on ABC’s 7.30 show on Monday night.

See the full article here:

Farm worker allegedly caught having sex with a pig on hidden cameras set up by animal activists to expose mistreatment | Daily Mail Online

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, General News, Stray Animals, Uncategorized

India: ‘Animal Aid Unlimited’ March 2024 Newsletter and Rescue Videos.

Dear Mark,

Welcome to this week’s beautiful cast of characters representing the hundreds of animals we treat every day. Among them is a new horse, Gusto, we’ve admitted with a serious chest wound. Scroll down for a brief overview of Rajasthan’s traditional use of wedding horses. We thank you for being the reason we’re able to treat such a magnificent being.

Scrumptious little Tofoo couldn’t even stand. But that was then!

Night had fallen and the chill had set in. There in the road was an abandoned baby who couldn’t stand. Blinding headlights swept past him as he lay in pain and terror. One after another, cars zoomed by, not slowing, not stopping. But then, someone’s wheels slowed and a kind motorist came to a full stop. “What is it, little one?” she must have asked. She realized that this recumbent little bundle could not stand.

There was no blood, but he was absolutely helpless. She immediately took action and called Animal Aid’s ambulance to the spot, and we hurried him back to our hospital. We snuggled him in blankets and gave him hydration and medicine. 

We surrounded Tofoo with love from all sides– from other orphaned babies, grown-up cows, from our loving care-givers, and, we know, from you.

Turn “orphaned and abandoned” to loved and cherished – please donate.

Emergency surgery saved Bright-Eyes, and now those eyes shine with love! 

Dear Bright-Eyes had a huge tear just below his chest area. But he wagged his tail as if to say “Please. Help me.” We hurried him back to our hospital where we treated him for pain, trauma and wrapped the wounded area.

He needed surgery to save his life. Bright-Eyes even wagged his tail during the surgery preparation. When Bright-Eyes regained consciousness he had a wonderful appetite–and not just for food. He gobbled up love, too!  We felt so lucky to save him. After two weeks of healing, we neutered him, and as always, fully vaccinated him on admission. He’s one of the most charming, sweet and gentle boys we’ve ever met. Thank you for helping us give Bright-Eyes his life back.

For those who keep giving love, no matter what – please donate.

Above – Gusto

No more weddings for Gusto!

Already, Gusto is happier. He’s a beautiful boy recently admitted with a serious chest wound and severe malnutrition. Gusto is also very lame, and was apparently abandoned on the road, where a passer-by found him wandering. He is extremely gentle, and he’s making it easy for us to treat him with daily wound dressings, pain relief and plenty of nutritious food.

He is the Marwari breed used extensively in Indian weddings. It is tradition that the hired horse will be heavily draped in colorful cloth, blinkered and ridden by the groom from his home through the neighborhood so that friends and family can join the celebration. 

Commercially used wedding horses like Gusto are usually never pastured. If there is no wedding to serve, they are made to stand in one place for days in a row, often with front and back legs tied together, watered and fed in place from a feed bag hanging from their face. This inactivity is perhaps more difficult psychologically than the wedding itself.

The wedding causes immense stress because of sprays of fire crackers, traffic and music at high volume from speakers powered by a loud portable generator wheeled behind the procession on a wagon.  There are thousands of horses in this situation across the state. 

Even just days after admitting him, Gusto’s eyes have brightened and we can see him relaxing, interacting gently with the animals around him, and that all-over-sore affect is already gone. Being able to wander at will, safe among the cows and the people in the large animal treatment area must seem to him like a luxury of freedom. 

Mango’s feet are dancing to the rhythm of your beautiful compassion.

When we rescued Mango he had a large, painful neck abscess. But, thanks to your compassion and generosity, we were able to provide the care he so desperately needed, turning his pain to joy. This is the power of compassion in action, and we are endlessly grateful for each of you whose help means Mango’s little paws won’t stop dancing with the thrill of life itself.

Shimmer extra in the Spring Sunlight knowing your purchase saved a beautiful life!

Go shopping here:  https://shop.animalaidunlimited.org/

We thank you deeply for all you do, are, and inspire for animals.

Founding family Erika, Claire and Jim, and the Animal Aid Unlimited team.

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, General News

Netherlands: Animal Rights Groups Slam “Better Life” Meat Label.

Pigs on a factory farm. Photo: Depositphotos.com

The meat label Beter Leven (better lives) is misleading consumers and needs a complete overhaul, several animal rights groups have told the AD newspaper. 

The label, which consists of one, two or three stars, was developed by animal protection group Dierenbescherming but does little more “than make meat eaters feel better about themselves”, the paper said after an investigation.  

Animals producing one-star meat are supposed to have a little more room and things to do than those on unregulated factory farms. Two star animals can go outside and three star are either organic or kept in an animal-centric system. 

But, according to Niko Koffeman, chairman of wildlife protection group Faunabescherming, the system rests on ‘marginal welfare improvements” and wrongly gives the impression the meat is raised in an animal-friendly setting. 

In reality, the animals are “locked in, exploited and slaughtered in a most gruesome manner,” he said. 

Campaign group Animal Heroes said the label is, however, leading to a change in mentality. “As long as people eat meat we should cherish every improvement, no matter how small,” spokeswoman Mony de Roos told the paper.

Varkens in Nood (pigs in need) said it did not want to stop use of the label either but expressed major doubts about the “one star” system. “When it comes to pigs, it is pretty standard in factory farming. Tails are still burnt off, sows are confined to cages. That is nothing to do with a quality label.” 

Militant campaign group Animal Rights, however, says people use the labeling system as an excuse to continue eating meat and dairy. The label’s inventor Dierenbescherming is on the wrong side of the debate, the organisation says. “They have become part of the livestock industry and that conflicts with the interest of animals. They only protect dogs and cats.”

Dierenbescherming told the paper it had no intention of stopping with the label but that it is assessing what improvements could be made to the criteria for inclusion. “Questioning the label is protecting the mainstream livestock industry,” the organisation said. “They can happily go on their way producing mainstream, animal-unfriendly meat.”

The label has been often criticised since it was introduced in 2007 and in 2021 the advertising standards authority ordered a radio advert by Dierenbescherming to promote “three star beef” off air for being misleading.

Recent research by national statistics agency CBS showed that just 5% of the population eat no meat but the number of people eating vegetarian meals regularly has gone up. One in four meals on Dutch dinner tables is now meat free. 

Regards Mark

Animal rights groups slam “better life” meat label – DutchNews.nl

Environmental, Farm Animals, General News

EU Policies Need To Support Dietary Shifts, Sustainable Farming To Tackle Climate Change.

13 March 2024

Press Release

As a new report stresses that Europe is not prepared for rapidly growing risks related to climate change, the EU action plan should include concrete policies that reduce the number of animals farmed for food, prioritising resilient farming practices with higher animal welfare and supporting a shift to plant-based diets.

In response to the publication of the first-ever European Climate Risk Assessment by the European Environment Agency (EEA), which analysed the risks of climate change in the EU and the areas which need to be imminently addressed, the European Commission (EC) has issued a Communication putting forward suggestions for actions in six impact clusters, among which are ecosystems and food.

Among the most severe risks that Europe is facing are the ones related to crop production: two-thirds of the EU’s agricultural land is used for animal production, of which most is for the production of crops for intensively farmed animals. Future-proof and nature based solutions can only be achieved by raising fewer animals with higher welfare conditions. This is supported by a Harvard Law School study, published today, that clearly states that emissions from livestock production should fall rapidly as of 2025. 

While the EEA report clearly highlights that current EU policies fail to address climate risks effectively, the future of important EU legislative commitments that would improve resilience, such as the revision of the animal welfare legislation and the sustainable food systems framework, remain uncertain. 

The EC Communication recognises that actions towards sustainable agriculture and fishing will not be enough to address climate risks, and there is a need for long-term policies that support dietary shifts, making healthy and sustainable food affordable and accessible. It is therefore disappointing that the recently published 2040 climate target does not sufficiently recognise the role of shifting diets, or the significant impact of agricultural emissions from animal farming. 

With growing evidence that systematic shifts are required to address climate risks to food production, ecosystems and health, increased EU efforts and binding policies that can support this transition are imperative.

Repeatedly, science shows us that maintaining the status quo is not an option. Only by raising fewer animals with higher welfare conditions and creating food environments that support dietary shifts can the EU truly address imminent climate risks. Unfortunately the proposed derogations in the CAP’s environmental measures will lead us further away from climate change adaptation and resilience. To support the transition and investments in future-proof solutions, the EC must come forward with the promised legislative proposals on animal welfare and the framework for sustainable food systems, without further delays.
 

Camilla Björkbom, Food Policy Political Adviser, Eurogroup for Animals.

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, General News

Belgium: GAIA exposes cruelty towards calves in Belgium’s dairy industry.

11 March 2024

GAIA

Je veaux de l’amour – le triste sort des veaux issus de l’industrie laitière on Vimeo

In the dairy industry, cows are repeatedly inseminated to stay pregnant in order to produce milk. Their calves are considered by-products, and are taken from their mothers to be reared in lonely environments. Each year, over 300,000 calves are raised and slaughtered in Belgium.

GAIA’s campaign dives into the Belgian dairy industry, revealing how calves are badly treated, isolated, and reared in unhygienic and depressing conditions. 

Their video provides a glimpse of some of the biggest problems faced by calves:

  • Taken from their mothers only a few hours after birth, causing intense emotional distress to both mother and child 
  • Locked in tiny, individual pens for the first weeks of their lives, where they have barely any room to play, exercise, or interact with others 
  • Transported to fattening sheds two weeks after being born, while their immune systems are still vulnerable 
  • Fed unbalanced diets, causing sickness and digestive issues which then contributes to a filthy environment due to the amount of waste produced
  • Slaughtered while they are still very young

Video Link:

https://player.vimeo.com/video/911155338?autoplay=0 A closer look at Belgium’s cruel treatment of calves

Though cows have a life expectancy of around twenty years, a huge number of calves in Belgium’s dairy sector are sent to slaughter when they are only between the ages of six to eight months, cutting their lives incredibly short. 

Some are killed in Belgium, while others are transported abroad to be fattened and slaughtered – but around 12% of them die even before they reach the slaughterhouse, exceeding the average mortality rate for all livestock combined (3 – 5%), according to GAIA. 

These deaths can be linked to the poor conditions in which they are reared and the physical and emotional stresses of being transported alive.

Looking to a brighter future for calves 

In Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands, organic farmers let calves stay with their mothers, or “foster cows”, for much longer periods than those allowed in Belgian factory farms – sometimes several months.

Change could also be inspired in the industry if there was a widespread dietary shift across Europe, which would have numerous knock-on benefits for animals, people and the planet in Member States and beyond. 

GAIA’s campaign re-emphasises further the critical need for the European Commission to deliver the full revision to the animal welfare legislation. Current laws for animal welfare are vague, unenforceable and outdated, allowing for farming practices such as those explored above that cause countless sentient beings to suffer. We need species-specific laws in place for all sentient beings to ensure their welfare. 

The fate of the EU’s animals rests with its policy-makers… so it’s important that those elected to the European Commission this year care about their welfare! Tell your local candidates that you’ll be voting for those committed to animal protection here.

Regards Mark