Photo – WAV Archive.

The EU and the US pave the way for a ban on cages imposed on imported food

Our (past) related information:

EU: Parliament Votes To Make Cages for All Farmed Animals Illegal Across the European Union by 2027. Major, Major Victory for the EU Citizen ! – World Animals Voice

EU: All Products Placed on the EU Market – Including Imported Ones – Must Comply With Future Cage-Free Standards. – World Animals Voice

EU-Kommission: end the cages of shame – World Animals Voice

CIWF London: 15/4/21 – Time to End the Cage Age – a ban on cages for farmed animals receives overwhelming support at EU Parliament hearing. – World Animals Voice

EU: Breaking News – Petition Closed – Over 1.5 million EU Citizens want to see the end of cages for farmed animals – World Animals Voice

On 10/6/21, the European Parliament massively supported a resolution endorsing the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) on banning cages and calling for future measures to apply to imports. Just earlier this week, the US notified the World Trade Organisation (WTO) about the coming Californian ban on cages, which also prevents sales of such products in the State, showing the world that the EU will have support once it adopts its own ban.

The resolution adopted by an overwhelming majority of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) calls on the European Commission to revise the outdated EU General Farming Directive to phase out cruel cage-based systems in animal farming in the EU, and, more importantly, to apply these new rules to all products placed on the EU market – including imported ones. 

Imposing these rules on imports would be a turning point for the EU. While nine out of ten Europeans believe imported products should respect EU animal welfare standards, it is, at the moment, only the case for standards on welfare at the time of slaughter. 

Ahead of the vote in the European Parliament, Commissioner Kyrikiades noted that applying EU cage-free standards to imported animal products would reflect the demands expressed by EU citizens and she showed openness to explore this option: “I heard the many points raised regarding imports, and we will look at the application of the same standards to imported products as well as labelling in compliance with WTO rules to satisfy citizens’ demands for high welfare for imported products of animal origin”, she concluded. 

The EU should not shy away from adopting comprehensive measures on cages and to apply them to imports. Firstly, if crafted properly, there is no doubt that such a measure would be compatible with WTO rules. Secondly, the EU could even count on the support of the US.

Indeed, the US notified other WTO members about California’s proposed ban on cages on 8 June 2021. This proposal emerged in 2018 with the adoption of the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative, also known as Proposition 12. The text suggested a ban on cages for laying hens, pigs and calves, and a ban on the sales of products derived from cage-based productions, regardless of their origin. The legislative process has now started, and if adopted, the measure will impact trade with California and ultimately the US. 

This news was a turning point, confirming that the EU’s decision could even be supported by important allies. Moreover, it will pave the way for discussions at the WTO on possible bans – including the EU’s – on animal products that would not comply with cage-free standards and, looking at the objectives described in the legislation and in the notification, it also strengthens the EU’s rationale that such a ban would be WTO-compatible based on ethical reasons. 

In addition to respecting citizen’s views, applying cage-free standards to imports would also be a huge incentive for producers around the world to improve animal welfare standards, and to shift to more sustainable food systems as they would then gain access to relevant markets. The life and wellbeing of millions of animals around the world could be positively impacted.

Regards Mark

Photo credit – Animal Equality.

Shocking new investigation in Italy: Cruelty and violence against pigs at Zema slaughterhouse

10 June 2021

Animal Equality

10/6/21, Animal Equality Italy released terrible images that demonstrate the multiple violations of animal welfare legislation committed by Zema, a leader in the meat distribution sector in Italy.

The investigation shows acts of brutality committed on pigs inside an industrial slaughterhouse in Lombardy. The footage depicts mistreatments and systematic violations of the rules on animal welfare.

The slaughterhouse is owned by Zema S.R.L., a company in the province of Cremona that has been involved in the slaughtering and processing of pork since 1987, as well as one of the many Made in Italy labels.

Of the more than 800,000 pigs raised per year in the Cremona area, about 150,000 are killed in this slaughterhouse. 

Although the company promotes itself as mindful of animal welfare, the investigation carried out by Animal Equality at its facility shows a very different situation.

The footage shows many mistreatments of the animals, such as:

●     Animals mutilated even before stunning due to ineffective or inefficient methods (some pigs are put on the conveyor belt with their trotters partially detached and mutilated)

●      Animals slaughtered inadequately or while conscious 

●      Multiple animals placed in stunning cages at the same time, in violation of animal welfare rules

●      Animals falling from trucks, pushed by the operators themselves, and an absence of ramps for unloading animals

●      Operators mistreatmenting animals (kicks, blows with rods, animals dragged by the ears or feet), systematic violations and cruelty

●      Operator who repeatedly hits a pig in the head with an iron rod, throwing the animal against a wall and throwing the body of the dying animal over the fence

The analysis of these images by veterinarians and law experts in animal welfare demonstrates a lack of controls and compliance by the operators, at all stages of meat production (from the arrival of the animals to their death).

Although Animal Equality has already filed two complaints with the Prosecutor’s Office and one for misleading advertising to the AGCM against Zema S.R.L. since April 2020, nothing seems to have changed and there has been no feedback from the authorities.

Our investigation has highlighted once again the mistreatment and brutality suffered by the animals involved in the agri-food chain together with the total lack of adequate controls and compliance with the animal welfare laws. We cannot accept that this situation remains unchanged and we will continue to fight so that animal rights are truly protected

Alice Trombetta, director of Animal Equality Italia

Starting from December 2017, Animal Equality has launched a petition addressed to the Ministry of Health and to the Ministry of Agriculture to put an end to a series of systematic cruelties that occur every day in Italian slaughterhouses. The campaign, supported by the findings of investigations conducted in Italian slaughterhouses, has surpassed 200,000 signatures from Italian citizens calling for tighter controls, the installation of surveillance systems such as CCTV, and the mandatory stunning of animals with no exception.

Read more at source

Animal Equality – Cruelty in a slaughterhouse in Cremona

Regards Mark

14/6/21 – Mr Philip Wollen Becomes The First WAV Patron; We Are (More Than) Delighted, and Welcome Him To The Group. – World Animals Voice

Hi all; nothing much today as we have been working much on another issue – maybe we will have some news in the near future; so …../.

Vegan Wings Make Up 40% Of Top Chicken Restaurant’s Sales

Vegan wings frequently sell out at Wing King, one of the top chicken restaurants in the U.S.

Popular chicken eatery Wing King says that up to 40 percent of its business comes from vegan chicken wing sales. Wing King was named one of the best wing restaurants in Las Vegas. Thrillist ranked it in the top 20 in the United States.

The rising cost of processing chicken meat motivated Wing King to look for new ways to draw in customers. The company now offers non-GMO, soy-based vegan wings in flavors like hot Buffalo, Cajun, garlic, and lemon pepper.

The plant-based wings even include a bamboo ‘bone’ to make them more realistic. They are fried in separate oil to the meat-based version to avoid cross-contamination. On its Instagram account, Wing King said the vegan wings are ‘immensely popular’ and often sell out.

Wing King also offers vegan pizza with dairy-free cheese and Beyond Meat burgers.Chef Brian Peace spoke to KTNV Las Vegas about the restaurant’s menu. He revealed that vegan wings make up 35 to 40 percent of his business. “We are not like other wing restaurants,” he said.

Peace added that he relies on the profit margins of these options, as well as CBD-infused wings, to make up for the money he’s losing on chicken. “Without it, I don’t know if we would be in business,” he said.

Vegan Wings Make Up 40% Of Top Chicken Restaurant’s Sales | Plant Based News

WAV Comment:  We all want to see all farm animals liberated from their prisons over the next few days – of course we do; that is us.  But we have to accept that this wonderful news is a vote from people that can press for change, and that will happen now.

Changes like this, sadly, do not come overnight.  Production methods of farming throughout the EU have to change for the better; a phase out period has to be introduced to allow the farming community to change and get the old cages where they have always belonged; on the scrap heap or passed into the hands of the scrap metal dealer.

This is monumentous news for the citizens of the EU.  They have demanded that their parliament; elected by them, the people; undertake change to give them what they require – a cage free system for animals in the EU.

Take time out today and think what a huge chage started in the EU Parliament yesterday. Even better is the requirement that all products placed on the EU market  – including imported ones – must comply with future cage-free standards. 

The world is beng sent a message; go cage free or we don’t want you.  A good day for animals in the EU; the start of major change.

Regards Mark

European Parliament urges to ban the caging of farmed animals!

10 June 2021

The EU moved closer to ending the cage age today, with the European Parliament urging the European Commission to ban the use of cages in animal farming by 2027.

The EU Parliament passed a resolution on the End the Cage Age European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) with an overwhelming majority, with 558 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in favour to 37 against, and 85 abstentions. 

The resolution urges the Commission to revise the outdated EU Directive on farmed animals in order to phase out cruel cage systems in animal farming. This will prevent more than 300 million farm animals – like hens, pigs and rabbits – from being kept in cramped cages every year.

It also emphasises that all products placed on the EU market – including imported ones – must comply with future cage-free standards. 

Additionally, the resolution stresses the need to provide adequate incentives and financial programmes to support farmers through the transition to cage-free systems. 

Today the European Parliament showed a groundswell of support to end the barbaric cage systems in animal farming. EU citizens, scientists, companies and now also democratic representatives want to end the animal farming dark ages. Now it’s up to the European Commission to make these voices heard, not only to relieve the suffering of billions of animals but also to honour the EU’s democracy and civilisation. We count on a positive decision.

Reineke Hameleers

In addition, the EU Parliament called on the Commission to “put forward proposals to ban the cruel and unnecessary force-feeding of ducks and geese for the production of foie gras.” 

MEPs also pushed the Commission to speed up the review of the EU animal welfare legislation, asking for it to be completed by 2022 instead of 2023, as currently planned. This can ensure that the ban on cages in animal farming will be introduced within the mandate of the current Commission, which will leave office in 2024.

MEPs endorse EU citizens’ call for gradual end to caged farming

Press Releases

Yesterday 

• Alternatives to cage farming exist and should be encouraged
• Ban to be based on impact assessment and species-by-species approach
• Transition period and proper support for farmers and livestock breeders
• Full compliance of imported animal products with EU rules on cage-free farming

Caged animal farming could be phased out in the European Union by 2027, say MEPs.

In their response to the “End the Cage Age” European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), MEPs asked the EU Commission to come up with legislative proposals to ban caged farming in the EU, possibly already by 2027, following an appropriate transition period and after a solid scientific impact assessment has been carried out. The resolution to this end was adopted on Thursday with 558 votes in favour to 37 against, and 85 abstentions.

Alternatives to cage farming exist and are being successfully implemented in a number of member states, MEPs say. These alternative systems should be further improved and encouraged at member state level, but to ensure a level-playing field for farmers across the European Union, MEPs agreed EU legislation is needed.

Species-by-species approach and properly funded transition

The gradual end of the use of cages should be based on a species-by-species approach that would take into account the characteristics of different animals and ensure that they all have housing systems that suit their specific needs, MEPs say. Before any legislative changes are made, farmers and livestock breeders must be given a sufficiently long transition period and proper support. This could include adequate advisory and training services, incentives and financial programmes to avoid farmers losing their competitive edge and prevent the relocation of EU agricultural production to places where animal welfare standards are lower than in the EU.

MEPs also call for a more comprehensive food policy to support the shift towards a more sustainable food system, but also to prevent small and medium-sized farms from abandoning livestock production and stop its further concentration in the hands of a few large farms.

Same standards for all imported products

A fair trade policy that ensures a level playing field is a precondition for higher European standards, the Parliament says. The Commission and member states should therefore focus more on putting effective controls and customs checks in place to ensure that imported agri-food products meet EU animal welfare standards.

MEPs want all animal products imported into the EU to be produced in full compliance with relevant EU legislation, including the use of cage-free farming systems. They insist existing trade deals should be re-evaluated to ensure that the same animal welfare and product quality standards are met. They also call on the Commission to promote animal welfare internationally.

Ban on unnecessary force-feeding of ducks and geese

MEPs also call on the Commission to come up with a proposal to ban the cruel and unnecessary force-feeding of ducks and geese for the production of foie gras.

Background

The “End the Cage Age” European Citizens’ Initiative was registered with the EU Commission on 5 September 2018. By the time it was submitted, the initiative had gathered support from almost 1.4 million signatories from across the EU, with the required threshold for signatures met in 18 member states. MEPs debated the citizens’ initiative together with its organisers, Commissioners and representatives of other EU bodies during a public hearing on 15 April.

MEPs endorse EU citizens’ call for gradual end to caged farming | News | European Parliament (europa.eu)

Regards Mark