Category: Farm Animals

Farm Animals, General News, Uncategorized

Italy: Mass pig culling continues in Italy amid African swine fever crisis.

Mass pig culling continues in Italy amid African swine fever crisis

14 September 2023

Essere Animali

Essere Animali documented serious biosecurity and animal welfare shortcomings in the management of pig culling.

First detected in Italy in January 2022, African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs. Whilst posing no threat to humans, mass culls have been taking place in an attempt to limit the spread of the disease amongst farmed pigs to reduce losses for farmers. 

New footage obtained by Essere Animali in the province of Pavia shows inadequately culled animals subjected to slow and painful deaths, and serious deficiencies in hygiene and biosecurity that may lead to further spread of the virus on farms.

The footage shows:

Serious deficiencies in the facility and in the biosecurity procedures

Inadequate management of culling with severe additional suffering for the animals

The lack of animal welfare training of the workers involved

At least 5 pigs abandoned on the ground in the pen leading to the killing containers in an acute distressed condition with symptoms potentially attributable to ASF

Video footage –

🔴 IMMAGINI STRAZIANTI Abbiamo filmato con un drone l’abbattimento dei maiali in un allevamento del pavese colpito dalla peste suina… | Instagram

The organisation also claims that improper implementation of biosecurity measures by the nation’s health authorities have resulted in the inability to control the spread of the disease, resulting in emergency mass culls that are a disaster for animal welfare.

We think it is essential to show images that show that, in the face of all the failings of the health authorities and our institutions, in a period of time in which public money has been spent on inadequate measures and biosecurity has not been sufficiently stringent, it is the tens of thousands of pigs that will be slaughtered in these days, amidst atrocious suffering and in the absence of adequate stunning, who will pay the highest price.

Simone Montuschi, President, Essere Animali

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, General News

Poland: Nightmare for animals at the largest egg producer in the European Union.

Nightmare for animals at the largest egg producer in the European Union

12 September 2023

Otwarte Klatki

Press Release

An investigation released today has revealed large-scale inhumane conditions at the largest egg producer in the European Union.

A documented investigation by Anima International at Fermy Drobiu Woźniak, in Poland, has revealed serious welfare issues and irregularities, including injured and sick hens left without treatment and dying in cages. Almost one million hens in cages and tens of thousands in barns are reared on this farm. The company exports to 60 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa, with exports accounting for 70% of its production.

Two activists who were employed at the farm over the summer described how on a daily basis, dead hens were discovered in advanced stages of decomposition, at times obstructing conveyor belts and allowing eggs to come into contact with deceased animals. The hens live in a huge confinement, leading to multiple cases of aggression and acts of cannibalism. Despite the fact that cages were enriched, per European Union regulations, the conditions at the farm fell short of the requirements. 

Click ‘Watch on YouTube’ to view – M

Hens in industrial farming lay more than 300 eggs a year. Such intensive production and high levels of exploitation result in some animals dying of exhaustion. Others go to slaughter after just 18 months or so, as their bodies are unable to sustain intense production. Under the right conditions, they could live up to 10 years.

Bogna Wiltowska, Director of Investigations and Interventions, Anima International Poland (Otwarte Klatki)

Anima International has started a petition to urge the producer to phase out cage farming by 2027, thereby setting a benchmark for the industry at large.

A supplier who keeps the largest number of hens in the entire European Union should also be the leader in terms of welfare standards. Fermy Drobiu Woźniak’s decision to phase out cage farming would affect several million hens per year.

Paweł Rawicki, President, Anima International Poland (Otwarte Klatki)

In the upcoming months, the European Commission is expected to reveal its proposals for a revised animal welfare legislation, including a reply to the European Citizens’ Initiative to End the Cage Age.

This investigation shows the horrific realities faced by animals in Europe and definitely does not bode well to an EU that claims that it is a leader in animal welfare. The European Commission now has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to introduce a ban on cages, and to see through the democratic process in which 1.4 million EU citizens asked for transition to cage-free systems.

Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals.

Notes

Investigation website

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, General News

England: No Franken Chicken Here – Animal rights activists target Warrington’s new Lidl store opening.

Warrington Guardian: The protestors were demonstrating against the supermarket chain

Animal rights activists target Warrington’s new Lidl store opening

ANIMAL rights activists targeted the opening of Warrington’s new Lidl store, which opened for business today, Thursday.

Activists from Open Cages, Animal Rising and We The Free attended the opening of the discount supermarket.

The demonstration was held in response to the alleged treatment of animals by the supermarket.

Open Cages’ CEO Connor Jackson said: “Lidl’s chicken is riddled with signs of disease and animal suffering.

“Despite claiming to be big on animal welfare and quality, Lidl is selling chickens who have been raised in the most cruel and filthy conditions.

“We are protesting because these facts are being hidden from Lidl’s own customers.

Read the full article with photos at:

Animal rights activists target Warrington’s new Lidl store opening (yahoo.com)

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, General News

USA: Security staff under fire for violent takedown of animal rights protestor at New York Fashion Week.

The woman holding the sign was forcibly taken off stage by a member of staff (Gionvanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty)© Provided by The Independent

Security staff under fire for violent takedown of animal rights protestor at New York Fashion Week

The rough removal of a PETA animal rights activist from the runway at a Coach fashion show has been has caused a flap in the couture world.

In video footage posted by The Cut on Instagram, a protestor covered only by body paint and a pair of underwear with the words “Coach Leather Kills” painted on her chest, was followed by another woman holding up a sign with the same message.

Get the full story plus video footage at

Security staff under fire for violent takedown of animal rights protestor at New York Fashion Week (msn.com)

… and more here:

Animal rights activists storm Coach runway show in New York (msn.com)

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News

England: Cage Enrichment on Fur Farms is Not a Viable Option.

From our animal buddy Mark Glover at ‘Respect for Animals’ – Nottingham England.

Respect for Animals | Campaign against animal fur – Fur for Animals

Cage enrichment on fur farms is not a viable option

5 September 2023

RFA

A new scientific briefing paper confirms that attempts to introduce cage enrichment or alternative housing systems as a means of improving welfare on fur farms are doomed to fail, and only a ban is a

https://youtu.be/MFP4dT_nIL4viable option to ensure the welfare of mink, foxes and raccoon dogs.

The report, which provides an overview of the current standards of housing of animals farmed for fur also examines the scientific evidence on the possibility of meeting the welfare needs of these species, either through enrichment/enlargement of cage systems or development of alternative housing systems.

Cage enrichment on fur farms: Inadequate and unworkable | Eurogroup for Animals

It concludes that scientific evidence and experience in various EU countries clearly shows that “enrichment/enlargement of cage systems is not able to address the major welfare issues for mink, foxes and raccoon dogs farmed for fur and there are insurmountable obstacles to the development of more extensive alternative systems.” This makes it impossible for the needs of mink, foxes and raccoon dogs to be met by the fur industry. A ban is the only viable solution to the serious welfare problems of animals farmed for fur.

By the end of 2023, the European Commission is set to publish a proposal for a revised animal welfare legislation. A leak of the draft Impact Assessment report on the revision of animal welfare legislation suggested ‘improved’ animal welfare requirements as an option for fur farmed animals, ‘while ensuring that it remains economically viable to farm fur animals under those conditions’. However, the evidence once again shows that this is not a viable solution.

1.5 million signatures have been submitted to the Commission calling for a Fur Free Europe, and a majority of Member States called on the EC to introduce a ban on fur farming. 

This report sends a stark message to European decision makers that a move towards legislating for cage enrichment on fur farms would be doomed to fail. Any such plans must be immediately discarded. There are inherent welfare failures with fur farming that cannot be resolved by tinkering around with cage standards.  The science is clear and is summarised in this new briefing paper. If the European Commission is serious about improving animal welfare in the EU, then a full ban on fur farming is a necessity.

Mark Glover, Campaigns Director, Respect for Animals

The science is clear – only a total ban on fur farms will truly protect animal welfare. Member states and EU Citizens have made their voice heard, the ball remains in the European Commission’s court, to end this cruel practice once and for all.

Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals

Regards Mark

Farm Animals, General News

USA:

The purpose of commonly misrepresenting ABUSE as “humane-welfare-grassfed-care-etc.”, is to eliminate your conscience and NOT the actual abuse …

Thanks to Stacey as always – Mark.

The purpose of commonly misrepresenting ABUSE as “humane-welfare-grassfed-care-etc.”, is to eliminate your conscience and NOT the actual abuse …

The purpose of commonly misrepresenting ABUSE as “humane-welfare-grassfed-care-etc.”, is to eliminate your conscience and NOT the actual abuse …

Source: Feelin’ Vegan Instagram & Feelin’ Vegan Facebook

It is not your right – based on YOUR traditions, YOUR customs and YOUR habits – to deny animals THEIR freedom so you can harm them, enslave them and kill them. That’s not what rights are about. That’s injustice. There is no counter-argument to veganism. Accept it. Apologize for the way you’ve been living. Make amends and move forward.Gary Yourofsky

ALL animal (ab)use, such as for food, fashion, entertainment, research, testing, education, god, ritual, etc., is exploitation.

ALL animal exploitation is abuse.

ALL exploited animals are victims whose suffering is required for all exploitation.

Facts (from the anag industry and USDA):

One of These Things Is Not Like the Other

If your god demands unrelenting suffering and death, maybe you should invent another god NOT offended by nonviolence and least harm…

SL

Download Your free Vegan PDF HERE

Order a free vegan kit HERE

Dairy-Free Info HERE

Take the Dairy-Free Challenge HERE

Click HERE for more Dairy-Free

Fish alternatives can be found HERE

Learn about eggs HERE

Find bacon alternatives HERE and HERE

Take PETA’s Cruelty-Free Shopping Guide along with you next time you head to the store! The handy guide will help you find humane products at a glance. Order a FREE copy HERE

Searching for Cruelty-Free Cosmetics, Personal-Care Products, Vegan Products, or more?
Click HERE to search.

Free PDF of Vegan & Cruelty-Free Products/Companies HERE

Click HERE for clothing without suffering

Click below for nominal, or no, fees to vegan literature that you can use to convince others that veganism is the only humane:

PETA HERE

Vegan Outreach HERE

Get free Anti-Speciesism Activist Kit material from PETA HERE

Click HERE for Well-Fed World’s Free Climate Food Guide PDF

No matter how many words people play
The truth never hides nor
Goes away

Karen Lyons Kalmenson

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

England: Animal Welfare – Conservative and Labour Political Parties.

Photo – Mark – Mrs Plod makes sure I behave !

I do not aim for this to be a politically biased site – in my view they are all liars and make false election promises which thereafter they often fail to keep.

For those of you who are non UK resident, we have here 2 main political parties – namely the Conservatives and Labour.  The Conservatives (Tories) form the current government with a majority of MPs, and Labour is in opposition.

The Tories have been in power for 12 years,following the General Election in May 2010.

Many people now consider it is time for a change.

There will almost certainly be a General Election where citizens vote for a government in 2024.

Each party has an area associated with animal welfare – and here are the links:

Conservatives – About Us | Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation

Labour – https://www.labouranimalwelfaresociety.org.uk/

The Conservatives have promised a lot – and then failed:  England: Here We Go Again – Government Bullshit Promises On Actions ALREADY Making Their Way Through Parliament Which Would Have Given Animals More Protection. – World Animals Voice

After Brexit, we were promised legislation to ban the export of live animals for slaughter and further fattening.  Despite personally being involved in a government consultation; at wich I personally presented over 50 A4 pages of evidence as to why live transport should be banned; the Tories have now pulled the plug and are not moving on with this – see last link for more.

CAWG says:

We have been disappointed by moves to drop the long-promised Consultation on animal welfare labelling, and the discontinuation of the Kept Animals Bill (which included an end to live exports for fattening and slaughter). While we remain supportive of the Government’s approach to deliver these measures through alternative legislative vehicles, we fear not all of these can become law before the next General Election.

Maybe not as disappointed as you will be at the next General Election !!

We now wait for Labour to move forward with the issue – animal welfare is a big vote winner – the problem is some political parties do not recognise this.

As I previously said, this site is not politically biased; I attempt to proide info and some links, as I have done here, and then individuals can further research as required.

Regards Mark

Associated live export consultation links:

England: Full Info on the UK Ban Live Exports Consultation. Finishes End of Jan 2021. – World Animals Voice

UK: Live Exports (Ban) Consultation. – World Animals Voice

UK; Live Animal Export Ban Is Progressing Through Parliament. – World Animals Voice

Farm Animals, General News

England: Supermarket Chain Lidl Suspends Contract With Bedfordshire Egg Supplier Over Animal Rights Group’s Neglect Claims.

Lidl suspends contract with Bedfordshire egg supplier over animal rights group’s neglect claims

Campaigners claim the conditions in the farm amount to neglect

Credit: Animal Justice Project

Supermarket chain Lidl has suspended its contract with a major egg supplier after campaigners released undercover pictures which they say show neglect of chickens.

Lidl cancelled the agreement with Bird Bros Ltd in Bedfordshire after an investigation by campaigners from the Animal Justice Project.

During a five-month investigation, the group said they uncovered evidence of hens being trapped, denied food and water, and distressing conditions in cages.

They said the distressing footage taken at Bird Bros, based at Sunny Farm in Swinshead, shows hens deprived of sunlight and confined to wire mesh floors, bearing severe feather loss and exhibiting apparent, profound distress.

Lidl said it had immediately launched an investigation and would not take any more supplies from the farm until it had been completed.

In footage released by Animal Rights Project, a worker is filmed roughly slamming birds into cages and hitting hens with shovels.

The group also alleges that one instance of neglect, where the hens were given no water and were not checked for months, led to the discovery of hundreds of dead animals.

Tayana Simons, a campaigner for the group, said: “The footage from Bird Bros exposes yet another example of how supermarkets’ welfare claims translate to nothing for farmed animals. The distressing scenes underscore the urgent need for immediate legislative action.”

The farm in Bedfordshire has 15 sheds

Credit: Animal Justice Project

The group said the farm has 15 sheds and was estimated to house over half-a-million hens in colony cages – sometimes referred to as enriched cages – inside sheds with space for 52,000 birds each.

Responding to the investigation, Lidl said an investigation was launched on Thursday, and that it “immediately took action to suspend supply of product from the farm”.

The farm is a very small supplier that only supplies into one of their 13 distribution centres, it added.

“We take animal welfare incredibly seriously and we expect our suppliers to meet all recognised farm assurance standards, including the British Lion Code of Practice.

“On receiving this information we immediately launched an investigation into Sunny Farm and will be working with third parties to undertake urgent audits to ensure the welfare standards expected are being met. We will not be taking any more product from this farm until the investigation has been concluded to our satisfaction.”

The UK produces around 10.6 billion eggs per year, and around 12.5 billion are eaten every year. Caged birds produce around 28% of UK eggs.

The British Egg Industry Council said: “We can confirm the farm involved was immediately audited. Stringent disciplinary proceedings are under way and while the process is ongoing it is inappropriate for us to comment further.”

ITV News has approached Bird Bros Ltd for comment.

See photos at:

Lidl suspends contract with Bedfordshire egg supplier over animal rights group’s neglect claims | ITV News Anglia

Regards Mark

… and the original by English band ‘The Cure’ :