All news supplied by Eurogroup for Animals: http://eurogroupforanimals.org/
Eurogroup for Animals is the leading voice for animal welfare at European Union level providing a voice for the billions of animals kept in laboratories, farms and homes or living in the wild.
We are recognised by the European Parliament and Commission as the leading animal welfare organisation at EU level and represent animal welfare interests on many EU advisory committees and consultation bodies.
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Hygiene and Animal Welfare: a TV programme confirms the appalling situation in French abattoirs
Posted on 21/02/2012
Last Thursday, France 2, one of the main French TV Channels broadcast a report titled: “What’s behind meat in France”.
The report, partly shot with OABA’s participation, and prepared with the help of Eurogroup, and our other French member organisations, unveiled a disastrous situation. It made clear that hygiene and animal welfare controls were not satisfactory in most French abattoirs, and that even if the situation has slightly improved over the last four years, 11% of them are still classified in category IV, which means they do not comply with basic legislative rules. The journalists also pointed out the recurrent lack of official veterinarians, especially for ante mortem inspection and at the slaughtering point, the generalisation of slaughter without stunning (in 100% of abattoirs in the Paris region and for sheep) and the impossibility for the consumer to know whether the animals have been stunned or not.
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http://eurogroupforanimals.org/news/audit-by-fvo-reveals-serious-failures-in-spanish-slaughterhouses
Serious animal welfare failures revealed in Spanish slaughterhouses
Posted on 22/02/2012
Eurogroup for Animals is horrified by the report published recently by the Food and Veterinary Office on the state of Spanish slaughterhouses. The report follows an audit carried out in May 2011 which aimed at evaluating the official controls related to slaughter and processing of fresh meat, in particular fresh ovine and equine meat.
The report reveals that in six out of eight slaughterhouses, the performance of the food performance operator was s poor and workers were not properly trained and were not using the appropriate slaughter techniques. Significant problems with cleaning and slaughter hygiene were reported. In three slaughterhouses, major deficiencies relating to the potential contamination of meat were detected; public health risks could not be excluded as a result. Finally, in four of the seven slaughterhouses animal welfare requirements laid down in Council Directive 93/119/EC were not respected, in particular stunning operations for lambs and horses.
Eurogroup is shocked by this appalling situation and urges the Spanish Competent Authority to take immediate measures to correct the multiple deficiencies identified. It is even more important the Spanish authorities remain under pressure to ensure they not only correct what is wrong now but prepare to implement the new Slaughter Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 as of 1 January 2013.
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http://eurogroupforanimals.org/news/greece-bans-animals-in-circuses
Greece bans animals in circuses
Posted on 06/02/2012
Eurogroup is extremely delighted that the Greek government has banned the use of all animals in circuses following a successful campaign led by Member Organisation GAWF, Animal Defenders International and backed by over 50 local animal protection groups across the country.
The new law adopted in plenary at the Greek Parliament last week bans all animal exhibitions and/or performances in circuses, theatres and any other similar entertaining businesses, with exceptions made for horse races, pet shops, zoos and shows.
The new law also addresses issues concerning stray animals.
This news comes a few weeks after the Austrian Constitutional Court dismissed a complaint against the existing ban on the keeping of wild animals in circuses in Austria, and this great victory sends a clear signal to other European Countries, especially Germany and UK on their way to implement such a ban and which no longer have any excuses for not taking the necessary actions.
Past SAV link:
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http://eurogroupforanimals.org/news/uk-government-to-ban-wild-animals-in-circuses
UK Government to ban wild animals in circuses
Posted on 01/03/2012
UK Government announces it will pursue a ban on wild animals in circuses, but in the mean time implement a licensing system.
Last year despite overwhelming public support for a ban on wild animals in circuses, the UK government proposed to move forward with a licensing scheme rather than a ban. This caused a massive outcry by NGOs, the public and Parliament which may have finally been heard by the Ministry. Now, the UK has said it will work towards a ban while implementing a licensing scheme in the interim to secure the welfare of animals still being used by circuses.
A public consultation has been opened on the licensing system until 25 April. Defra states that government appointed inspectors, paid for by the circus industry, will be used to cover training and performance, transport, on-site temporary housing and winter housing for the animals. NGOs will closely monitor the developments to ensure the UK government establishes a firm deadline for transitioning to a full ban on wild animals in circuses.
Past SAV links:
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http://eurogroupforanimals.org/news/oie-and-member-countries-urged-to-implement-oie-rules-after-tragedy-in-port
OIE and member countries urged to implement OIE rules after tragedy in Port Said
Posted on 12/03/2012
Horrifying reports recently revealed that 2700 of the 5600 cattle that were carried from Brazil to Egypt to be slaughtered for food died on board the vessel Gracia Del Mar as result of extreme weather conditions in the Mediterranean and after being refused permission to dock at Port Said, Egypt. The health status of the surviving animals upon arrival was also noted as very poor.
Following this tragedy, which is probably one the worst the live export industry has ever seen, the International Coalition for Animal Welfare (ICFAW) which represents several animal welfare organisations including Eurogroup for Animals urges in a letter sent to Bernard Vallat, Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to put its own recommendations in practice with immediate effect so that it can respond promptly and effectively to future incidents of this nature. Brazil and Egypt are also similarly implicated for not having called on the OIE to meditate.
ICFAW also stresses the importance of encouraging and assisting member countries to implement the OIE recommendations so they can have a beneficial impact on day-to-day transport and slaughter operations. The coalition further offers opportunity for constructive work with the OIE to help member countries implement these recommendations.
Past SAV link:
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional |
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