Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

Read the full article, complete with pictures and the report, ay:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/08/08/england-sealed-box-type-animal-trailers-how-the-industry-dodges-identifying-what-they-transport-and-the-eu-oks-it/ 

From Mark – This is not going to be short – but I will aim to keep it that way if possible.

Now that we are covering a lot at present with regard live animal exports; I have decided to go public with some work which I did back in 2012 regarding live British sheep being exported by Dutchman ‘Onderwater’ on his ship, the ‘Joline’.

The main issue of this report which I produced was to show up (yet again) the complete inconsistencies of the EU and the non adherence to the regulations set in animal transportation protection order EU Regulation 1/2005.

The regulations say that (animal) transporters should be clearly ‘signed’ to alert people that live animals are being carried. Ok, you can see this is not necessary with a ‘normal’ tiered livestock transporter, but with the ‘box’ type transporters which are used in Europe, we enter a different region where the carrying of live animals in a vehicle is not clear at all. This for example, is how Onderwater (the Dutch livestock haulier) deceived the UK authorities by making it look like he was carrying boxed / chilled meat in a ’box’ type animal trailer, when actually it was carrying live animals (sheep).

Read all about it at:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/08/05/england-the-onderwater-facts-from-campaigner-jane/

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2019/05/28/england-i-went-to-europe-and-all-i-got-was-slaughtered-who-am-i-david-or-goliath/

Would you be aware if you were driving on the motorway that this truck is NOT carrying chilled produce, but instead is full of live animals ?

See my report photographs (taken by Valerie) which actually show the rear doors of the ‘box’ open and live sheep standing within. If the system allows, I will reproduce one here:

We even gave the EU some suggestion as to how the type of signage which we suggested should be carried on all box type trailers; on the top, bottom, sides and rear. Here is the example of a sign we gave, written in both English and German; for emergency services to read when applicable.

We put forward suggestions of box trailer labelling for several reasons:

• If, for example, the truck was involved in an accident and was turned onto its side; then our wonderful emergency services would see the signage and know that live animals were being carried. Consequently, they could immediately access the live by the rear doors, cutting into the roof etc. My argument was that without clear signage, emergency services, like many people; may wrongly think that chilled foodstuffs were only being carried, and hence not worry about trailer access.
• EU Regulation 1/2005 for the ‘protection of animals in transport’; makes it clear in the legislation that labelling is to be shown on vehicles which provides this info to emergency services. Very sadly, as you will read in my report; many animal carrying box trailers are going all over Europe carrying live animals; but without any labelling to make this clear.
• We have no faith in the EU enforcing anything; so we, (animal welfare organisations) have to act independently to be a voice for the animals and get them the justice they deserve.

I put forward my report t the EU on this issue and how we exposed that ‘live animal’ labels were being covered up whilst the vehicle was on the road. My report gives and example and shows exactly how the labelling is covered up; yet can very easily be removed by the driver when he is going to the authorities at a port for inspections.

In their typical way, the EU authorities were fully of words about how things should be done; but when presented with information on how the rules are broken; as detailed in my report; the EU did its normal and turned the other way.

Cut to now – August 2019; animal carrying but un identified ‘box’ trailers are still being hauled all over the EU. So still, in the event of any accident; emergency services are still completely unaware that live animals are being transported within the trailer. Another issue is access and ventilation. There is obvious lack of access to sick or injured animals in a ‘box’ type trailer so that they can be identified and removed. How can a driver see that animals are ‘ok’ when they are concealed behind the solid walls of a box type trailer ? – and even if he could, which he cannot, how would sick animals be removed from the trailer ?

Livestock carrying trailers have airflow, be it through the tiered vents or via fan systems which are integral to the trailer design. Sealed ‘box’ type trailers have neither. There is usually only a small (30cm) vertical opening at the rear of the trailer through which outside air passes. Is this sufficient for a trailer full of animals ? – I personally think not; but bthe EU authorities allow it, and seem to turn blind eyes to all the anti evidence provided.

So; here s my report on how very small labelling is covered on the road; and quickly removed by the driver once in port going for inspections. Has anything changed over they years ? – NO. Our labelling system was ignored by the EU, and emergency services attending and incident are still none the wiser if live animals are being carried and may require very quick attendance and help.

For me personally, this again shows how the EU preaches one thing in its Regulations, but does not actually give a damn in reality. It is wrong and unjust; and is exactly the reason why I fight to give animals a voice. They do not deserve to be abused like this – I wont give up trying to help those who suffer in silence.

Regards Mark.

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49238749

Switching to a plant-based diet can help fight climate change, UN experts have said.

A major report on land use and climate change says the West’s high consumption of meat and dairy produce is fuelling global warming.

But scientists and officials stopped short of explicitly calling on everyone to become vegan or vegetarian.

They said that more people could be fed using less land if individuals cut down on eating meat.

The document, prepared by 107 scientists for the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), says that if land is used more effectively, it can store more of the carbon emitted by humans.

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https://www.ciwf.org.uk/news/2019/07/grim-reality-for-millions-of-dairy-calves-revealed

Our new undercover investigation released today (22 July) exposes the grim reality for millions of dairy calves across the EU. Separated from their mothers shortly after birth and confined in small, individual pens, these dairy calves are deprived of their natural behaviours and social interaction.

The investigation film – which contains new footage obtained from five Polish dairy farms as well as footage from other EU countries (Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic and Denmark) – exposes further welfare concerns; hungry calves repeatedly attempting to suckle an investigator’s hand as well as evidence of poor hygiene and inadequate protection from cold temperatures. Additionally, there were incidents of EU law infringement: with calves completely unable to see and touch each other; and calves around three to four months old being kept illegally in pens that were too small for them.

Best estimates suggest that in the European Union as a whole, over 60% of dairy calves – in total over 12 million each year – are similarly restricted during the first few weeks of their lives.

“This investigation reveals the cruel reality for millions of dairy calves in Poland, and across the EU” says Malgorzata Szadkowska, Head of our Polish office. “These calves are separated from their mothers hours after birth, and spend their first eight weeks in isolation, away from the comfort and support that close companionship can provide to social animals like them. This is a completely barbaric and unnecessary practice.”

Our new investigation proves once again what we have documented on multiple occasions: caged systems used in many EU countries, including the UK, are equally cruel.

Emma Slawinski, our Director of Campaigns and Communications says: “It is hard to comprehend that a vulnerable young calf is kept isolated for weeks. Worse still, EU legislation allows this, despite evidence that alternative practices can provide welfare and health .”

You can join the fight to End the Cage Age. Please take action today.

Join over 1 million people and sign the European Citizens’ Initiative, calling for an end to the cage age in the EU.

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Indonesian Region Pledges To End Dog Meat Trade And Save 2000 Dogs A Month

By : Lucy Connolly On : 05 Aug 2019 11:53

https://www.unilad.co.uk/animals/indonesia-pledge-to-end-dog-meat-trade-and-save-2000-dogs-a-month

Officials in Indonesia have pledged to end the nation’s dog meat trade, a move which will save up to 2,000 dogs from slaughter and human consumption per month.

The regency of Karanganyar in Java pledged the action following a shocking investigation by Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI), which uncovered evidence of dogs being bludgeoned and blow-torched alive in animal markets.

The victory has been welcomed by Ricky Gervais and actor Peter Egan, both of whom are celebrity ambassadors for DMFI and who thanked the head of district, Bupati Juliyatmono, for his role in the pledge.

The plan to end the horrifying trade includes closing every stall selling dog meat in the regency, as well as the creation of alternative livelihoods for those currently reliant on income from trading in dog meat.

Investigations by DMFI – a coalition between several animal protection organisations such as Change For Animals Foundation and Humane Society International – showed dogs being beaten and strung upside down to bleed out, all the while still conscious and in full view of other terrified dogs.

Campaigners are hopeful this new pledge will mark the start of a nationwide movement to tackle this dangerous and illegal trade, although they say the governor of North Sulawesi, Olly Dondokambey, refuses to act.

The province of North Sulawesi is currently central to dog and cat meat trade activity, with approximately 200 ‘extreme’ animal markets operating each day.

Wendy Higgins from Humane Society International, a DMFI coalition member group, said:

Indonesia is a popular tourist destination for millions of travelers including about 360,000 Brits each year, but the country’s natural beauty is hiding an ugly secret that many tourists will be unaware of.

Visiting local markets is often promoted by tour guides but innocent travelers could be exposing themselves to horrific scenes of animal cruelty as well as dangerous diseases like rabies.

The national government has issued a crackdown but for as long as local regions like North Sulawesi simply ignore that, the killing and the risk to tourists continues.

Although dog meat is only consumed by seven per cent of Indonesia’s entire population, the trade remains a significant threat to public health – particularly with regards to the transmission of rabies.

Rabies, a viral, and potentially fatal, disease that infects the central nervous system is a serious threat worldwide with 55,000 deaths per year – more than 50 per cent of which are in Asia, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Currently, 24 provinces in Indonesia are Rabies endemic, with those with the greatest demand for dog meat among those with the highest prevalence of the disease. According to DMFI, the North Sulawesi Province has some of the highest numbers of human deaths attributed to rabies in the country.

Despite the lack of action in North Sulawesi, the progress being made in Karanganyar and Yogyakarta is enough to give DMFI campaigners cause for hope.

In Karanganyar, every one of the estimated thirty dog meat-selling stalls throughout the regency will be closed, with the local government already hosting a meeting with the traders to announce the ban and to discuss alternative livelihood opportunities.

The Yogyakarta Provincial Government separately drafted a Mayor’s Regulation for approval, through which a ban on dog meat would be implemented.

You can sign the petition to ban the dog meat trade throughout Indonesia here.

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