This year, 120 NGO’s from 31 nations took part in the day of action; encouraging their supporters to raise awareness, gather support and push for legislative changes that improve the welfare of animals in transport and to also ban live exports.
Across Europe, citizens sent 464,586 digital postcards to EU Ministers urging them to support change.
In the UK – In May this year the UK government reneged on its manifesto promise to deliver a live exports ban; when it dropped the ‘Kept Animals Bill’. In July, there was a funeral themed photo stunt outside of Parliament, urging the UK Government not to allow its promise to ban the trade to go to the grave !
In September, Dame Joanna Lumley submitted over 95,000 signatures regarding the same to No. 10 Downing Street, calling for the Prime Minister to show true leadership for animals by banning live exports. In October, CIWF helped organise an ‘MP Walk In’ session in Parliament, briefing MP’s on the issue.
Then suddenly, few weeks ago, campaigners warmly welcomed during the State Opening of Parliament by HRH King Charles, which outlines all the work to be undertaken by government in the next Parliamentary session, a new Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill which will ban the live export of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses for both slaughter and further fattening from Britain.
This is a huge step forward towards ending this disgusting trade from the UK; especially as it has now been detailed in the State Opening for passing into legislation in this next parliamentary session. Now the Government must listen to its people (as they work for us !) and deliver the ban on the archaic practice of transporting live animals on long and arduous journeys overseas for both slaughter and fattening once and for all. In the past and more recently, we have all seen a series of broken promises by the Government on this issue; so the latest session news is most welcome. The Bill must now be passed as a matter of urgency; and with a General Election at most 1 year away, the government knows it will get a big no vote at the ballot box if it fails its citizens again.
Regards Mark
Personally, I have campaigned and investigated live animal exports from the UK for the last 35+ years. You can read and see a lot more about it by visiting About Us. | Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
NO less than 57 animal rights organisations have for the first time made an official complaint to the European Ombudsman.
Basis of complaint
This complaint concerns the European Commission’s failure to fulfil its commitment to a European Citizens’ Initiative in which 1.4 million people demanded a ban on the cages used to house a number of different domestic animals.
In its response to the European Citizens’ Initiative published in June 2021, the European Commission confirmed that, by the end of 2023, it would present a legislative proposal to phase out and eventually ban the use of cages for chickens, calves, rabbits, ducks, breeding sows and other species.
The reason for this complaint is that the most recent agenda for the rest of the political legislature was missing the Regulation on Captive Animals, which the plan should have included.
According to one of the complainants, Spain’s AnimaNaturalis,before backtracking on its promise, the EC repeatedly confirmed that it was working towards the 2023 timeline, and Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides made multiple public mentions of this date in EC responses to questions.
“ The EC has not acted in accordance with the rules governing European Citizens’ Initiatives after raising legitimate expectations among European citizens. These deficiencies present a case of maladministration, both in light of the EU Regulation and the very reason for being of the European Citizens’ Initiatives as an instrument of transnational democracy,” observed Cristina Ibáñez, lawyer and spokesperson for AnimaNaturalis .
Should fur be banned?
In addition to the cages, 1.5 million people also requested a ban on the fur industry and the marketing of fur products on the European market which legislation was expected to have been included in the Regulation on captive animals.
While regulation to phase out cages remains pending, an estimated 700 million farm animals continue to suffer in cages in Europe according to the complainants.
True horror of EU live animal transport masked in official records
28 November 2023
CIWF
My bold, underline etc – Mark.
Press Release
Shocking new report reveals suffering endured by around 44 million farmed animals a year – including unweaned calves and lambs – on horrific journeys lasting up to three weeks. Inadequate and misleading official records are masking the true horror and scale of the EU’s long-distance trade in farmed animals, a shocking new report released today by international NGOs Eurogroup for Animals and Compassion in World Farming reveals.
Photo – Mark
The new report A data dump of suffering: the EU’s long-distance trade in farm animals exposed analyses a cache of previously unpublished EU records relating to the long-distance transportation of 180,000 consignments of farmed animals within and from the EU during a 19-month period from October 2021 to April this year. It reveals disturbing details of the extent and nature of suffering endured by around 44 million farmed cattle, sheep, pigs and other animals transported annually.
Key insights from the report include:
Over 370,000 unweaned calves were taken from their mothers shortly after birth and deprived of nutrition during long journeys – many as young as just two weeks old. 300,000 unweaned lambs are also imported by Italy alone each year, enduring long journeys without adequate feed.
Thousands of sheep and cattle are exported from the EU by road to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia in journeys lasting up to three weeks.
Anti Live Export March – Dover, England. Photo – Mark
France, the Netherlands and Denmark have exported thousands of pigs to extremely distant countries including Brazil, Vietnam, Thailand, and Nigeria. By exporting breeding sows that have been genetically selected for very large litters, the EU is seeding its inhumane factory farming model in other parts of the world.
Millions of cattle and sheep a year endure long, stressful sea journeys to the Middle East and Africa for slaughter or fattening. Vessels are often in very poor condition and animals suffer greatly during these journeys from heat stress, noxious gases, motion stress and starvation and there are no effective legal protections.
In 2022, the EU exported around 30,000 pregnant heifers, mainly to central and western Asia, such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, where journeys are up to 6,000 km and can take up to three weeks.
Above – CIWF Tour for farmed animals in the Netherlands – photo Mark
An estimated 54,000 tonnes of live fish, equal to tens of millions of individual animals, were transported between EU Member States in 2019. Fish often endure routine starvation, overcrowding, and physical injury to scales and fins resulting from handling when loading and unloading during transport.
The report shows that the EU’s journey records were incomplete, often inaccurate and vastly underestimate the sheer extent of the length and duration of many journeys. Around 60% of journeys are shown as starting at assembly centres but animals may have been transported from the farm of origin for many hours prior to this without any requirement for this to be logged. Many transporters practise ‘assembly centre hopping’, avoiding the requirement for animals to be given 24 hours mid-journey rest before resuming their journey.
This release comes just days before the expected publication of the European Commission’s proposal on animal transport on 6 December. However, the Commission has failed to publish the other proposals it committed to present as part of a more comprehensive revision of the animal welfare legislation, including the ban on caged animal farming, which was expected by September 2023.
The two animal protection NGOs are calling on the EU to ban the export of live animals from the EU to non-EU countries, to switch to a trade in meat and carcasses only, and to introduce tougher rules to protect the welfare of animals on journeys within the EU.
This call for greater protection for farmed animals’ welfare during transportation is supported by the majority of European citizens. The 2023 Special Eurobarometer found that eight out of ten Europeans think the travel time for the commercial transport of live animals within or from the EU should be limited1 and an overwhelming nine out of ten people believe it’s important to protect the welfare of farmed animals.
The transnational nature of live exports makes it especially challenging to protect the welfare of animals, and this is why we ask for a ban on live exports to non-EU countries. A replacement with meat and carcass exports does not only benefit the animals but has huge economic and environmental benefits. Better measures to protect unweaned and pregnant animals must be put forward, while the misuse of assembly centres needs to be urgently addressed. The immense scale of suffering highlighted by this investigation cannot be ignored – the European Commission must come forward with a more ambitious Regulation.
Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals
Our new report reveals some deeply troubling issues, not least that the official data is incomplete, inaccurate and vastly underestimates the scale of – and the animal suffering caused by – the EU’s long-distance trade in live farmed animals. Although we knew that millions of animals were enduring cruel and unnecessary journeys in the name of profit, this report shows that the situation is far worse than we had feared. The EU must address this as a matter of urgency by banning the live export of farmed animals to non-EU countries and introducing tough new rules to protect their welfare during transportation between and within EU Member States.
Peter Stevenson, Chief Policy Advisor, Compassion in World Farming
Regards Mark
I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Phil, Peter and all the CIWF crew for decades.
Some of the biggest fast-food brands in Europe are performing very poorly on their management of and reporting on broiler chicken welfare, a new report from World Animal Protection shows.
The European Chicken Commitment (ECC) is a set of minimum requirements that will improve the welfare of chickens considerably and cost-efficiently.
The Pecking Order report analysed 69 companies across France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Spain on their commitment to address chicken welfare throughout their supply chains, and how much progress they are making on implementing the requirements of the ECC.
Photo – act 4 farm animals
Each year, over 7 billion broiler chickens are killed for consumption in the EU. 95% of the broiler chickens currently reared on factory farms are fast-growing, selectively bred to reach slaughter weight in just five to six weeks. Their growth rate has a huge impact on their health and welfare.
The results show that only 49% of the companies analysed have published a broiler chicken welfare policy that demonstrates alignment with some or all of the ECC criteria, with 51% having no commitments on the topic at all.
A staggering 90% of companies analysed are ranked in the lowest scoring tier (very poor) on progress reporting, having published very little or nothing on broiler chicken welfare issues.
While the overall score for the fast-food companies assessed in France has improved, Germany, Spain and Italy have shown slight reductions in their overall company scores. Poland and Romania have overall scores that are significantly lower than the other markets assessed.
Too many companies are still in denial, and close their eyes to the plight of the animals that they are responsible for. If they think they can get away with greenwashing or hide behind misguided excuses about climate footprints and affordability, I have a simple message: They can’t. Companies that use chickens in their supply chains are responsible and must be held accountable for ensuring their wellbeing.
Today, the European Parliament overwhelmingly approved the EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. The deal sets a precedent in trade policy as it’s the first time the EU ratifies a trade agreement which conditions market access on the respect of animal welfare-related standards.
Under negotiation for five years, the deal liberalises trade in most animal based products, and should hence further stimulate animal agriculture in the EU and New Zealand. It does, however, include an unprecedented condition: the beef quota is reserved for grass-fed animals, explicitly excluding feedlots.And this condition is motivated by both animal welfare and sustainability reasons.
This is only the second time the EU has negotiated an animal welfare condition in a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) since the controversial EU-Mercosur FTA introduced the first one in relation to shelled eggs. Yet, while the volume of shelled eggs imported by the EU from Mercosur countries is quite low, in the case of New Zealand the EU managed to obtain an animal welfare condition for one of the most traded animal products between the partners.
Eurogroup for Animals welcomes this animal welfare condition as feedlots, in addition to being a major source of soil, air and water pollution, are highly detrimental to animals: they can provoke respiratory and digestive diseases, the main causes of cattle death under such rearing conditions.
This animal welfare condition shows that with the right political willingness, the EU can take into account animal welfare concerns in its trade policy. As the latest Eurobarometer showed, this is well supported by EU citizens. This FTA should give the right impetus to repeat animal welfare conditions in other trade agreements, especially where a beef quota is negotiated. Why would a feedlot in Mercosur countries be sustainable, but not in New Zealand? Omitting such a condition when renegotiating the EU-Mercosur FTA would certainly be incoherent.
Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals
The EU-New Zealand FTA is also the first EU trade deal integrating sanctions in its Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapter. While this is welcome, the language is non-committal, specifically for provisions related to wild and aquatic animals, with words that focus on “acknowledgement” or “support”. This means that even in case of failure to comply with these provisions, no violation can be found.
Apart from the animal welfare condition, the FTA also includes a chapter on animal welfare cooperation. Regrettably, the language in this chapter remains weak and also non-committal. This is unfortunate as the EU and New Zealand, two like-minded partners, could work together on issues such as banning live transport which is under discussion as highlighted by the European Parliament’s resolution. For these reasons, Eurogroup for Animals supports the European Parliament’s stand to “quickly establish the domestic advisory groups”, and remains ready to work in this fora to foster effective cooperation as soon as possible.
I have made no changes to the text, or added any further additions; the translation is via the system, so this is directly as supplied. With the above web link, there is an ability to translate if you wish.
Regards Mark
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Dear friends,
the institutions of the European Union are also busy because of the animal inhabitants of the member states.
At the beginning of October, we informed you that the European Commission is forgetting about the promises of changes to the regulations to improve the conditions of kept and transported animals.
Later this week, we expect an important breakthrough regarding other missed regulations. Whether it will be good or bad for the animals, we will write to you.
Specifically, these are proposals for regulations on the labelling of animal foodstuffs according to the methods of animal husbandry, changes on the slaughter of animals and on the methods of animal husbandry (so-called farm animals). The last one reflects on the successful European citizens’ initiatives End the Cage Age and Fur Free Europe.
An injured white mink. The chilling exposé titled ‘This is Fur Farming in the EU’ lays bare the grim reality of fur factory farming across six EU nations
Horrifying truth of fur industry revealed in footage from largest ever undercover investigation involving dozens of farms where animals engaged in cannibalism, had limbs gnawed off and were left with maggot-infested wounds
Wounded animals can be seen battling to survive in cages. The harrowing material was captured by independent animal rights investigators in more than 100 farm visits
The horrifying truth of the fur industry has been revealed in footage from the largest ever undercover investigation on European fur farms.
The chilling exposé titled ‘This is Fur Farming in the EU’ lays bare the grim reality of fur factory farming across six EU nations.
The harrowing material, captured by independent animal rights investigators in more than 100 farm visits, shows animals including mink, foxes and raccoon dogs in disturbing conditions.
Read the full article and see video footage by clicking on the link above.
Animal welfare and environmental organisations came together on 4 November to spread awareness about the sentience of octopuses, and inhumane plans for the world’s first octopus farm.
Scientific experts and activists took to the stage to speak about magnificent, intelligent, and complex octopuses. Among these experts were Dr. Elena Lara from Compassion in World Farming and Keri Tietge from Eurogroup for Animals. This was in stark contrast to the repeated mentions of unethical farming practices, industrial-level suffering, and environmental destruction.
As summarised in our case study released earlier this year, there are numerous concerns around Nueva Pescanova’s farm. Notably, there is currently no effective method for reducing the amount of pain these animals will feel when they are killed for human consumption.
During a panel discussion with the experts, there was a lot of frustration related to one issue; why is there a lack of transparency with the local community?
The Canary Islands government has not updated the public regarding the status of Nueva Pescanova’s octopus farm
Before construction of an industrial aquaculture facility begins, there are several permit processes that must be adhered to. These processes relate to both EU and national legislation and, in theory, allow for public participation at several different stages.
In the case of Nueva Pescanova’s farm, everything has been kept quiet.
In September 2023, it was revealed that Nueva Pescanova’s simplified environmental impact assessment was denied.This means the autonomous body in charge of conducting the environmental evaluations concluded that there could be significant threats to the environment. Nueva Pescanova now must undergo the more exhaustive environmental impact assessment process.
Scientists and campaigners around the globe have already warned about the significant environmental damages that could come from this farm, but what is alarming is the lack of publicly available information about this process. The Canary Islands government is legally obligated to share notifications about such developments, which has still not happened.
This lack of transparency may be related to the suspected usage of EU public funding for the farm, which has not been disclosed by national authorities in Spain.
The EU parliamentary elections are just around the corner. It is critical for citizens to participate in order to bring voice to aquatic animals, including octopuses.
It is also clear that this new industry goes against the EU’s Strategic Aquaculture Guidelines and would exacerbate a wide range of sustainability issues. Now is the opportune time to ensure that the EU acknowledges the overwhelming scientific evidence and protects these fascinating and unique animals.
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Sounds as if they are doing all they can to stop NGO and the public from obtaining the truth – now the info is known we will have to see what happens next.
In a move that flies in the face of evidence that we must reduce industrial farming and increase plant-based diets, Italy has announced a ban on the production, sale or import of cultivated meat as well as the use of meat-related wording on labels to describe plant-based foods.
The Italian parliament passed the bill with 159 votes in favour to 53 votes against. MEPs in favour of the bill claimed it would help to protect national traditions and prevent “synthetic” foods from entering the market.
Whilst no cultivated meat is currently commercially available in the European Union, the ban is aimed at preventing novel foods from developing in the country. Breaching the law would result in a fine of up to €60,000.
As the European Commission continues to evaluate novel foods such as cultivated meat, the ban could later be challenged at EU level.
The bill also prohibits the use of meat-related wording on labels to describe plant-based foods. This will hinder producers of plant-based products with expensive re-labelling, and will prevent consumers associating the relevant language with plant-based products.
The measure is a deliberate attack on progress, preventing Italy from evolving despite the direction more and more European and non-European states are taking instead, with a significant push towards food transition. We are in front of the legalisation of an anti-scientific stance, which allows the livestock lobby to continue to exploit, violate and kill millions of animals, moreover, harming the health of all people, opposing transformation in every way.
Domiziana Illengo, LAV
The passing of this bill is a clear sign of resistance against the critically needed move towards better food systems for people, animals and the planet.
Viva! Campaigns has investigated another large dairy farm in Wales and sadly documented some of the worst cases of physical violence against animals we have ever seen. At the time of filming, the farm, Tafarn Y Bugail, supplied one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the UK.
The first time we entered the farm, at the dead of night, the sight of a rotting cow and four calves hit us. Their bodies had been left outside, uncovered and accessible to wild birds and animals. As we crept closer, we could see that they had been eaten down to the bone – a clear indication that these animals had been abandoned and dead for some time.
On another visit, I saw the pathetic sight of baby calves isolated in hutches. Some were less than 12 hours old. These babies had been ripped from their mothers and were confined and shivering in the bitterly cold night. They had no love, warmth, comfort or stimulation and nowhere to go. It was the middle of winter!
Inside the maternity pens, conditions were chaotic, noisy and disgusting. We were shocked to find a colony of feral cats sleeping in the straw beds. They were devouring afterbirth; it was like a scene from a horror film. The fetid stench was horrendous.
Desperate for their mothers One of the most distressing things we filmed were newborn female calves isolated from their mothers, crying out and desperately sucking our fingers for comfort.
Calf Pulling We filmed a cow having difficulty giving birth. The worker’s solution was to tie a rope to the calf’s protruding feet and forcibly haul him out, causing agony for the mother. Afterwards, the worker kicked the cow in the spine with his heel to force her to stand. Such cruelty is incomprehensible.
Repeatedly Beaten Cows were repeatedly and mercilessly beaten. We recorded one poor animal being hit harder and harder – a sickening 55 times. Other cows were subjected to being kicked in the udder and suffering blows to their legs, backs and faces.
Shocking footage shows ‘half-eaten dead cows’ at UK dairy farm
The gentle mother, who simply didn’t know what was wanted of her, was pushed around and her tail twisted. The worker became angry very quickly, hitting the cow with increasing force to make her stand in position for milking. The cow had nowhere to escape, and it was absolutely harrowing to witness her pain.
A second cow was kicked in her already swollen udder – in a final act of indignity. The violence delivered to these poor animals was the worst I have seen, with blows landing on their legs, backs and to the sides of their faces. In another instance, one of the farm workers used a knife to burst a huge abscess on a cow’s rump during milking. A stream of pus oozed onto the milking parlour floor for over three minutes.
We saw 17 cows in the parlour wearing hobbles on their back legs. These chains are to stop cows ‘doing the splits’ when they have suffered damage from birthing or falling, usually on dirty, wet floors. These sad and ill animals could barely walk. But they were still being milked.
Please donate to our campaign and you’ll be helping fund justice for these animals!
We’re organising the biggest Day of Action Against Dairy in history where we will air our hard-hitting undercover investigations that expose the truth about dairy farming. We’ll be calling on the general public to stand up against animal cruelty and choose vegan.
Help us cover every single city, town and village across the country by organising an event on your local high street. The animals need you to speak up for them! Together we can make this the biggest protest against dairy the industry has ever faced.
Mark, thank you for being a part of Viva!
Please, give what you can so we can continue to expose the vile practice of UK dairy farming and get the message out there. Any money you can donate – no matter how little – will help us in our fight against this appalling abuse of mothers and their babies.
With your help we can fight dairy consumption and its inherent cruelty.
We can’t do it without you! Yours for the animals,
World Animals Voice 