Category: Farm Animals

Environmental, Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News, Hunting, Live Transport

Vote for Animals: placing animal welfare at the heart of the EU Elections.

1 February 2024

Press Release

The Vote for Animals campaign, launched by Eurogroup for Animals, aims to place animal welfare at the core of the upcoming EU Elections. The campaign encourages candidate MEPs to take a pledge for the animals, while informing citizens about the importance of these elections for progress on animal welfare in the EU, helping them to choose candidates that share their values and encouraging them to vote.

Candidate MEPs are being encouraged to sign a pledge stating a clear commitment to work to improve animal welfare if they are elected to the European Parliament (EP). The pledge, composed of ten asks, addresses live animal transport, imports of animal-based products, welfare of aquatic species, non-animal science and the conservation of wild animals, among others.

By taking the pledge, candidates commit to represent EU citizens’ demands for better animal welfare legislation. European citizens have been very vocal in demanding the EU to do better for animals. Six of ten successful European Citizens Initiatives are related to animal welfare, of which 1.5 million citizens have asked for a Fur Free Europe, and 1.4 million asked for a transition to cage-free systems. The last Eurobarometer, showed that over nine in ten Europeans believe that it is important to protect the welfare of farmed animals, while an overwhelming majority expressed the importance of better protection of kept animals during their entire lifetime.

Elected MEPs have the competence to drive animal welfare issues forward, by working to ensure it remains a priority on the EU agenda, being vocal on issues that need addressing, and voting in the interest of animals. During the current term, a significant number of MEPs have brought to light critical issues including the delay in the publication of the animal welfare legislation, the horrific nature of live animal transport and fur farming.

Elected representatives also have the opportunity to join the Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals, which provides a cross-party platform for MEPs to discuss and exchange views on animal welfare issues and to initiate and promote related  initiatives  in the EP. 

The Vote for Animals campaign page is translated in all official EU languages, and citizens are encouraged to send a message to their representatives, asking them to sign the pledge. 

MEPs can serve as catalysts to push for better animal welfare legislation. The Vote for Animals pledge is our commitment to do our utmost to make sure the European Commission comes forward with ambitious legislation on critical issues that need much attention. If I am given the trust by the public, I promise to continue to place these issues at the core of my work, representing the demands of citizens to do more in this aspect. I encourage other candidate MEPs to take the pledge.

Niels Fuglsang, MEP (S&D, DK)

With so many EU citizens asking for more action on animal welfare, the European Parliament must be representative of these interests, to drive forward much-needed progress. This campaign provides both citizens and MEPs the opportunity to shape an institution that keeps animals at the core of their work.

  • Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals

Elections

Farm Animals, General News, Live Transport

EU / Morocco: Nearly three weeks of suffering for bulls trapped on trucks at the Moroccan border.

 

31 January 2024

Two live animal transport vessels containing bulls from Portugal were detained for 19 days in the Moroccan port of Tangier-Med.

The bulls were confined in extremely unhygienic conditions, which only worsened over time. Forced to stand ankle-deep in their own excrement, many of them developed respiratory problems and inflamed eyes. It was reported that one bull died onboard, his corpse left to decompose inside the vessel where it was trampled on by the other animals. 

The root of this suffering was bureaucratic, with the bulls apparently having been detained due to current import duties and high customs tariffs. Their clearance was said to be contingent on the adoption of new customs regulations. In the meantime, no thought was given to their welfare, with the Moroccan authorities appearing unconcerned with their rapidly-degrading state, and unmotivated to act in the best interest of these sentient beings (for instance, by unloading and quarantining them at their destination or in another stable).

Trade routes should not be entertained with third countries, as it is extremely difficult to influence how transported animals are treated once they leave the EU’s borders.

This incident further highlights the need for a robust revision to the Transport Regulation, as it is a reminder that transported animals are very vulnerable. Measures must be taken swiftly to ensure they experience the least amount of stress possible directly before, during, and after their journeys.

With a recent data leak showing the scale of suffering in the live animal transport industry is much vaster than is recognised by official records, the European Commission must not delay on making these critical sector changes happen.

This week, Eurogroup for Animals, together with four other animal protection organisations, sent a joint letter to the veterinary organisations highlighting the poor welfare experienced by animals during these long journeys, as well as the risk of inhumane slaughter on arrival. 

Veterinary officials are tasked with inspecting the health of animals for export, but are often put in a difficult position as they have a contractual obligation to their employer, which might conflict with their ethical one to safeguard the wellbeing of animals. 

The letter calls on the veterinary community to use their influence to ban the export of live animals to non-EU countries.

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, General News

Mexico: Animal rights activists in Mexico protest return of bullfighting.

In Mexico City, animal rights activists are protesting against the return of bullfighting, years after it was outlawed.

The Mexican Supreme Court repealed its decision last month, citing a lack of sufficient reasoning to ban the events.

Read and listen to full article at:

Animal rights activists in Mexico protest return of bullfighting | RNZ

Read our WAV recent on this:

Mexico: Bullfighting Returns To Mexico City After Ruling (Ban) Overturned.

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News

EU: EFSA stakeholder meeting on fur farming: first step towards ban?

23 January 2024

Under no circumstances can the welfare of animals in fur farms be protected, and a full ban is the only way forward, Eurogroup for Animals argued in the first stakeholder meeting of the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) to evaluate current practices on fur farms.

EFSA hosted the first stakeholder meeting to evaluate the current practices on fur farms, after it was asked by the European Commission (EC) to put forward a scientific opinion in reply to the Fur Free Europe European Citizens Initiative (ECI), in which 1.5 million citizens asked for a ban on fur farms and placement of fur products in Europe. 

In its official reply to the ECI in December, the EC mentioned a possible prohibition of fur farming and placement of farmed fur products on the European market, following EFSA’s opinion, which is to be put forward by March 2025. The technical meeting involved participation of representatives of animal protection NGOs, academics and the fur industry.

Scientists representing the fur industry openly admitted that the ‘Welfur’ certification system has evident shortcomings and questioned the fact that it has failed to identify inadequate conditions on fur farms in Europe. 

While the EC asked EFSA to “assess whether these welfare consequences can be prevented or substantially mitigated under current farming conditions”, animal protection NGOs stressed, once again, that EFSA’s opinion should start from the animals’ specific needs, as opposed to the infrastructure of the system, as scientific studies have consistently concluded that no level of cage enrichment can maintain animal welfare.  

It is difficult to assess positive welfare in a system which removes the agency of animals to act on their natural behavioural urges, such as foraging, seeking shelter or other natural motivations.

If we genuinely intend to discuss animal welfare, the species-specific needs of animals should be the only starting point to determine if and how we should continue keeping and killing sentient beings for commercial purposes.

Nicholas Clark, Wildlife Programme Leader, Eurogroup for Animals

There are inherent problems in fur farming that simply cannot be resolved. The fur industry’s so called ‘certification schemes’ mislead consumers, and are designed to reward the status quo. There are no changes that can be made – the welfare of wild animals on fur farms is severely compromised across all five domains, resulting in a life not worth living.

Mark Glover, Director, Respect for Animals

Around 7.7 million animals are currently kept and killed for fur production in the European Union. 20 Member States have already totally or partially banned fur farming, or implemented stricter measures on grounds of animal welfare, environment and public health.

While the fur industry has made an open invite to the European Commission to visit fur farms, Eurogroup for Animals stresses that any visits must be unannounced and randomly selected.

Regards Mark

Keep Fur Where It Belongs !!

USA: Iditarod Is Due To Start Very Soon – 39 Days To Be Exact – Take Action For Dogs NOW. – World Animals Voice

USA: Breaking News – County Officials Announce Intent To Shut Down Hellish Miami Seaquarium. – World Animals Voice

Farm Animals, General News

India: Rooster Sacrifice Leads To Formal Complaint Being Lodged.

Ritualistic sacrifice of roosters prevented in Kerala following animal rights organisation complaint People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India had lodged a complaint with Kozhikode Rural police and the Revenue Divisional Office, Vadaka…

Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/kerala/ritualistic-sacrifice-of-roosters-prevented-in-kerala-following-animal-rights-organisation-complaint-2858146

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, General News

South Korea: Investigation has revealed that approximately 91.3% of cattle euthanized last year due to lumpy skin disease died in pain while conscious.

SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — An animal rights organization’s investigation has revealed that approximately 91.3% of cattle euthanized last year due to lumpy skin disease died in pain while conscious.

The Korean Animal Welfare Association conducted a study of the euthanasia records from October 20 to November 20 of last year, the period following the first outbreak of lumpy skin disease in South Korea.

The study encompassed 34 local governments nationwide and found that out of 6,416 Korean beef and dairy cattle euthanized at 108 farms, about 5,859 (approximately 91.3%) were put down in a manner causing them suffering.

Continue reading at  Animal Rights Group Reveals High Suffering Rates in Cattle Euthanized Due to Lumpy Skin Disease | Be Korea-savvy (koreabizwire.com)

Regards Mark

Environmental, Farm Animals, General News

EU: End the Cage Age: Ombudsman opens inquiry on European Commission’s failure to act.

8 January 2024

The European Ombudsman has opened an inquiry into the European Commission’s (EC) failure to publish a legislative proposal to phase-out and ultimately ban cages for farm animals, in line with its official answer to the End the Cage Age European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI).

Eurogroup for Animals and numerous other animal protection organisations wrote to the European Commission in October after it unexpectedly backtracked on the commitment to bring forward legislation banning cages in 2023, and did not provide any clarity on when it would be published.

In June 2021, the EC promised that by the end of 2023, it would put forward a legislative proposal to phase out and finally prohibit the use of cages, a commitment which it re-stated and reinforced on numerous occasions. The EC had generated considerable legitimate expectation among citizens that legislation would be forthcoming, creating a case of maladministration. 

After not receiving a response from the EC, in November 2023, Eurogroup for Animals and several of its members made an official maladministration complaint to the European Ombudsman against the EC for failure to uphold its commitment to an ECI in which 1.4 million citizens asked for a ban on cages and failure to appropriately communicate its u-turn on this promise.

The complaint raises the issue of the EC undermining the rules that govern ECIs and the very credibility of the democratic participatory process they represent. In the run up to the European elections in June of this year, this is a particularly poor signal to send to citizens.

The European Ombudsman has now asked the EC to send an official reply to Eurogroup for Animals and all the other complainants by the end of January. 

The opening of the inquiry of the European Ombudsman sends a clear signal that the democratic tool of the ECI should not be undermined. Citizens are using the tools at their disposal to make their voice heard on issues that matter. We expect the European Commission to follow through on its commitment, and we continue asking for a timeline indicating when the promised proposals will be published.

Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, General News, Live Transport

Belgium: Live animal transport proposal not a priority for Belgian presidency.

10 January 2024

The Belgian Presidency does not plan to address the proposal for animal transport in its term according to the programme of legislative files that will be worked on. The presidency of the Council is responsible for setting the agenda and facilitating dialogue between the Council and other EU institutions. It is now Belgium’s turn to take on the role until June of this year.

In December the European Commission published a proposal for the transport of live animals, but the proposed text failed to recommend actions that can make significant improvements for animal welfare, ignoring several EFSA opinions. Most strikingly, it still allows for animals to be transported live to non-EU countries, despite the ever growing concerns on the consequences of such journeys.

It was hoped that the Council could work on the topic and strengthen the proposal. However, with the Belgian Presidency deciding to kick the can down the road, the EU will not be in a position to adopt new welfare standards for the transport of live animals any time soon. The programme only mentions the drafting of a progress report on animal transport, and will only be worked on “if there is time”, which according to news reports, is highly unlikely.

At the beginning of its term in 2019, this Commission under President Ursula von der Leyen committed to improving the lives of farmed animals by coming forward with a number of proposals, of which transport is just one. 

It was expected that this whole package could come into force and start improving the lives of millions of animals across the EU as soon as 2027. So far the Commission has only brought forward the proposal on transport, which could now be further delayed, and a proposed regulation on cats and dogs which the Council is expected to adopt a general approach on.

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, General News, Live Transport

UK: Live Exports – Remaining Stages In House of Commons Mon. 15th January. Take Action and Ask Your MP To Attend (UK Residents Only).

Photo – Mark (WAV) – A Dutch Horse Transporter heads out of Dover UK.

The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill will have its Committee of the Whole House and Remaining Stages in the House of Commons on Monday 15th January.

This means if the Bill passes (WAV Comment – Sure it will as it has full Cross Party Support) it will be ready to enter the House of Lords to complete its passage.

This important 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. In doing so, it will deliver a key Conservative Manifesto commitment and part of Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare.

You can read more about the Bill here <https://conservativeanimalwelfarefoundation.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=39260baecf6044e1f26ef4f9d&id=a42797764a&e=57f5095601> .

During live export 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.

UK ACTION – We are asking our supporters to contact their local MP and ask them to attend these important final stages of the Bill in the House of Commons. To make this easier for you, we have drafted a template below which you can copy and paste.

We hope you will join us in the mission to end live exports for fattening and slaughter.

With warmest wishes,

Email to: your MP

Dear (name of MP),

I am contacting you to ask you to support the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill which will enter its final stages in the House of Commons on Monday 15th January. Ending live exports for fattening and slaughter was included in the Conservative Manifesto and Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare.

With a General Election this year, I am keen to ensure this important Bill becomes law as soon as possible. I therefore ask you to attend and vote in favour of the Bill during its final stages on Monday, to prevent the cruelty of live exports from continuing in the future.

Historically the UK has exported thousands 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. Please help to end live exports for fattening and slaughter for good.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Your name

Your Address.

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Regards Mark