Posted on February 26, 2018 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
As you can read in ‘About Us’ – https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/about-us/ we do volunteering for the Forestry Commission England. All our work is for a huge woodland park named ‘Jeskyns’ which is about 1 mile from home.
At Jeskyns there is a ‘Fairy’ woodland area which is aimed at very young children. The ‘fairy’ theme is used to try and encourage them into thinking that fairies live in the park and they should try to follow what the fairies do by looking after trees; wildlife and good things in general.
Lots of fairy homes have been made and are located in the fairy garden area for the children to find. ‘Mushroom Manor’ is a favourite.
As you can see, many of the children leave little presents – sweets, toys, and even a few coins; plus many notes and letters for the fairies.
Over the past few weeks we have been constructing some Hedgehog Houses with the hope that we can encourage more hedgehogs into the area and hopefully get them to breed in the Spring. The houses are strong and secure and allow the hedgehogs to take in leaves and bracken etc so that they can ‘fit out’ their secure homes to their liking.
One hedgehog house has been located in the Fairy Garden area with the hope that it will encourage the children visitors to follow the fairies advice and find out more about helping the hedgehogs. As you can see from the photo; a few labels have been added – ‘Hedgehogs need homes too’ – with the hope that the children will learn more about helping our native hedgehogs.
As we say, the park does a lot to encourage dog visits; supported by links to dog welfare organisations. In addition, as you would expect from the Forestry Commission of England; woodland habitat protection and preserving the wildlife which lives in it is paramount. This also includes keeping the many lakes on the site clean and free from invading weed growth. You can see some weed clearing photos on the above link.
There is regular pruning of the fruit trees to make sure we get as many apples as possible for sale and give away at the Jeskyns café. The Jeskyns orchards have an amazing 756 different varieties of apple trees ! – and with our bee hotels (also on site) we encourage new pollinator bees to breed on site and then go forth and pollinate all the fruit trees.
We try to work with nature to help nature – and the positive results are beneficial to both humans and wildlife.
Here are a few links to past post relating to Jeskyns:
Posted on February 25, 2018 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
In the USA there would be attempts under ‘Ag Gag’ to punish those who obtain such evidence really hard. Fortunately the German judicial system knows that the video footage obtained is for the good of the public, and should not be allowed to continue behind closed doors, as the industry wish.
22.02.2018 Naumburg, Germany: In the fully occupied courtroom of the Higher Regional Court Naumburg and in front of the doors, the verdict was greeted by animal welfare supporters with applause storms.
Earlier, the presiding judge of the 2nd Criminal Senate Gerd Henss had pointed out clearly that only the illegal filming had made public what conditions prevailed in the pig farm of the “van Gennip Tierzuchtanlagen” in the north of Saxony-Anhalt.
And: The animal rights activists had exposed a scandal and received as a receipt criminal proceedings. The animal welfare is in the present case to be valued higher than that of the house, which is why the lower court, the three animal rights activists of Animal Rights Watch acquitted legally, said court spokesman Henning Haberland.
“The Senate has considered the accused acts justified and stated in very clear terms that animal welfare is a legal matter superior to the injured home.”
Only because of trespassing revealed the grievances
The three animal rights activists – two men and one woman – had made it clear again in short statements that they only wanted to draw attention to the animal rights violations. Relieved, the Hamburg Jürgen Foss showed that he says he has been involved in animal welfare for 25 years.
“We were – I think I can speak for the three of us – very surprised, with which clarity the judge finally expressed our approach, which confirms that we are all on the right path, that is, bit by bit something moves, in the sense of the animals. ”
In 2013, Jürgen Foß and two other animal rights activists illegally invaded a pig farm with around 60,000 animals in Sandbeiendorf in northern Saxony-Anhalt and filmed grievances. In the pictures of the video you can see porked and fixed pigs. Apathetic, they lie in much too small metal bays in which the animals hardly move, not even their limbs can reach out. There’s no straw, instead the pigs live on bare concrete floors in filthy stables from GDR times.
Many of the over-bred piglets can not even stand, the legs slip over and over again.
We should all be happy, Judge Gerd Henss said literally, that the defendants had uncovered the grievances. Without the filming, Henss continued, it would never come to an investigation. It was the only way to force the authorities to act. Henss even speaks in this case of the fact that the veterinary authorities had covered up the grievances for a long time. However, it warns that the acquittal is not a license for – Quote – “self-proclaimed animal rights activists who break into stables illegally”.
“It requires certain knowledge that there are grievances there” ,so Hennig Haberland, the spokesman of the Naumburg Higher Regional Court.
So, only if animal rights activists had advance precise indications that would be violated against the animal welfare, only then one may penetrate into stables illegally and document the situation cinematically.
The acquittal of the animal rights activists is the first judgment, which was ever so pleased by a higher regional court in Germany, continued Haberland. Attorney-at-law Maria Ascheberg, on the other hand, accepted the verdict with a petrified expression, she had demanded a new trial.
The farmers are worried and dissatisfied with the verdict: “Now everyone could come in, break in and say they just want to work for animal welfare”, says a pet owner.
”The animal activists wanted to unsettle our industry. The verdict is a farce” says the spokesman for the farmers’ Saxony-Anhalt Farmers Association Christian Apprecht.
“So the rule of law turns out to be an indictment that it trusts its authorities so little and leaves so little responsibility, that he has to rely on third parties, that he does his job, that can not be.
Responsible for the pig farm in Sandbeiendorf in the Altmark, is the native of Utrecht family van Gennip, it is one of the largest pig farmers in Germany. She had sued the three animal rights activists for trespassing.
The prosecution had demanded fines between 300 and 800 euros.
But after the film shootings of the animal rights activists, the authorities were forced to act.
According to the Magdeburg Ministry of Agriculture, there have been several inspections since 2013 and conditions have been imposed.
For Saxony-Anhalt’s Agriculture Minister Claudia Dalbert of the Greens, the judgment of the Naumburg Higher Regional Court is groundbreaking.
The federal government is now called upon to ensure that!
The UK does NOT produce Foie Gras thankfully. It imports it from mainland Europe.
So, now the UK is getting out of the EU (big sense !) we have the chance to take back control and be a voice in the UK for animal welfare.
We have every chance once again of the UK becoming much better than the EU when it comes to animal welfare. UK citizens will ensure that.
Minister Michael Gove is very close to enforcing a complete ban on all Foie Gras coming into the UK.
Please watch the video below and see what is involved in Foie Gras production – force feeding which causes the birds liver to swell up to 10 times its normal size. This liver is then sold on after slaughter to so called Gastronauts who take pride in eating this product which causes so much suffering for animals.
Now Disgusted ? – Please sign the petition after watching the video – and push to make the UK Foie Gras Free !
Petition Link – Please Sign and give support to Minister Gove.
The Directorate-General (DG SANTE) has been set up to improve the health and safety of European citizens and to boost consumer confidence.
But only now does DG SANTE remember that there has been a regulation since 1/2005 that clearly states how animal transport should be done?
No! Of course not! – For the EU Commission is much too smart! Now the anger of the population has become strong fury against the irresponsibility, the inaction, the ignorance of the animal transport authorities.
And soon the EU elections will come.
That is why the Directorate-General has downgraded animal transport to a school subject.
For those who did not know that there has been an EU animal transport regulation since 2005, now they have a chance to know!!
These General Conditions for the Transport of Animals have been in place since Regulation 1/2005 was introduced some 14 years ago:
-The animals must be transportable!
-qualified staff
-Transport as short as possible, without delay
-sufficient floor space and standing height
-Suitability of means of transport
-suitable loading and unloading equipment
-the needs of the animals must be taken into account
– adequate care of the animals
Non-transportable animals are:
Injured animals and animals with physiological weaknesses or pathological conditions these are particular
-Animals that cannot move painlessly or without assistance or have large open wounds / severe organ prolapse
-Perient animals in advanced gestational age (90% or more)
-Mothers whose birth was less than 7 days ago
– Newborn mammals whose umbilical wound has not yet completely healed.
-All this is well known, at least for those who have made videos that prove anything but compliance with the rules.
And now we come to the central question: why this farce?
Why the degradation of the problem to a shameful principle: “we have done everything to inform the public.”?
DG SANTE has 42 departments, with DG G alone, 8 departments.
All these are paid to tell us that “the egg has a yellow centre”?
What does the Directorate-General think we are, stupid?
For years manure has been documented in animal transports of organizations and activists: surplus driving hours, injured animals while driving, no water, no food, no doctor, no compliance with EU Regulation 1/2005.
So what’s the popeye version of the thing?
But the smart management has thought of all these questions
Theoretically, this farce video is meant for truck drivers.
-Drive smoothly. Oh! I didn`t know it !!
– Start the ventilation system when shutdown. Oh! I didn`t know it !!
-refresh cattle by watering them. Oh! I didn`t know it!
And if all that does not happen, as reality shows, then truck drivers, inspectors, customs officers, personnel are guilty, all who do not yet know the Popeye video.
Not those who do not punish anyone, those who ignore the true ones and the terrible videos, those who hide the sum of money to say
“we cannot do anything, we cannot keep the laws, we can only make comic videos“!!
Gentlemen, a shame is the EU Commission, including DG SANTE, all that is a shame!!
Just a few minutes ago, I have the answer to this ridiculous comic video from Animals Angels Blog. Once again.
I do not translate that on purpose.
EU is Germany, there are certainly high-paying translators who need to do it.
And not only to despise EU citizens and to consider them stupid!!
Posted on February 21, 2018 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
In our opinion, this result will show just how much the EU establishment actually listens to concerns and evidence of citizens, OR how much the big money corps pay to get their way.
On 28 February, the European Parliament is expected to vote on a decisive resolution calling on the European Commission to protect the bees that are so vital to Europe’s food security and ecological balance.
The outcome of this vote could determine the fate of bees in Europe.
The European Commission is considering a groundbreaking Europe-wide ban on bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides — but if the European Parliament takes a stand against it, then chances of the ban going forward are slim.
We have just 7 days left to convince European Parliamentarians to pass this crucial resolution and to increase the pressure, we’re launching a hard-hitting ad campaign in influential Brussels media outlets.
Together, SumOfUs members have been at the forefront of the global battle to protect bees. We helped push the French government to put in place the strongest ban on bee-killing pesticides to date, and we’ve continued to work together to defend it from major corporations like Dow Chemical. Our collective action has convinced major retailers to stop selling of neonics in places like the United States and Australia.
Now, we’re closer than ever to protecting bees in all EU countries — where around 84% of plant species and 76% of food production depends on pollination. With bee colonies in decline by more than 50% in some European member states, we have no time to lose.
The decision to ban dangerous pesticides in Europe is within our grasp. And, this resolution from European Parliamentarians could tip the scales.
“Save the bees” ad campaign to convince MEPs to vote in favour of the resolution to protect bees?
Please click here to donate to this campaign which is now in its vital remaining days:
Posted on February 20, 2018 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
It’s not even a joke, it’s not even an insult,
it is worse than this.
The worst thing about all is that this is that it is all associated with DG Sante – part of the EU Commission relating to animal welfare.
So we can only assume this cartoon is funded by the EU ! – the EU wasting EU taxpayers money about enforcing animal transport regulations, when they (EU) create Regulation 1/2005 to ‘protect’ animals in transport, and then they do NOT prosecute hauliers and member states who break this same regulation.
DG Sante, or the EU Commission, have now made this cartoon as a smokescreen to cover their inactions and inability to take prosecutions to EU member states who are not enforcing Regulation 1/2005. A smokescreen which they hope will make the public think that they are taking action. They have the inability to take action; otherwise they would prosecute under Reg 1/2005 non compliance.
They say about themselves:
Animal Transport Guidelines Project
The European Commission, DG Santeproject aims to improve animal welfare around transport. The project will develop and disseminate Guides to Good and Better Practice for animals transported within Europe and to third countries for slaughter, fattening and breeding.
We and many others say – They could improve welfare during transport by taking prosecuting action against member states who do NOT enforce the 2005 Regulation (1/2005) on the welfare of animals during transport; but as we have seen so many times over so many years, they do not have the guts !
Instead they waste money producing new cartoons which they think will work.
No doubt we will be exposing more breaches of the regulations over the coming months – proving that cartoons just don’t really work !
Today (21/2) we have also written to the EU Eurogroup for Animals – a partner in this organisation; to ask why they are not prosecuting under Reg 1/2005 rather than producing new cartoons.
We will publish their response if we get one.
We rock the boat; and as a result; the EU ignores us and just wants a boat full of shiny, happy people who do not ‘rock’; but simply play along to their ‘take no action’ policy. We are really keen to see just how many prosecutions have resulted by the EU Commission with regard the 70% breaches found by welfare groups at the Bulgarian / Turkish border. We will put money on the table now and say ‘none’. This is the EU strategy on animal transport – keep your mouth shut and just be the shiny happy people that we want you to be.
EU Policy
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Hi all;
We did find time today to write to the Animal Transport Guides Project. They made contract and said that they have now gotten their new video on animal transport ready.
In their words, the “video is a practical EU video for cattle, based on the guide to Good Practise for the transport of cattle and four dedicated Fact Sheets, which is now available. This video provides practical advise to professionals to ensure that the cattle they transport, remain in good welfare”.
We are informed that “this video has been produced in the framework of a dedicated European project funded by the DG SANTE of the European Commission. Coordinated by a large consortium of research institutes from 10 countries and stakeholders organisations, it includes input from EU agri-food, veterinary, road transport and animal welfare stakeholder groups”.
So it all looks and sounds very good – the video ensures that all is good.
We asked a simple question – that being – why then if everything is so good, are we witnessing so many EU animals suffering in transport on the journey to Turkey ?
Under Regulation 1/2005, the EU regulation allegedly ‘protecting’ animals during transport; all livestock drives have to pass a competence test and be ‘certified’ to ensure the ‘welfare’ of animals they transport in their vehicles. Seems they have gone off track when it comes to care for EU animals being transported to Turkey, as the video shows. So then the EU should be prosecuting those who do not comply – yes ? – not making new cartoons about drivers taking care !
Here is a video and a UK Press article which says otherwise:
So far we have not had a response to our request asking why so many animals are suffering in transport en route to Turkey.
We are also following this issue up independently, and have been in contact over the last few weeks with UK MEP’s who are closely linked to the EU Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.
We basically asked them to try and obtain answers to issues for us, including:
Given the 70% failures detailed in the above welfare groups inspections on the Turkish side of the border; and also as my formal representative within the EU; can you (MEP’s) please inform us of the following:
For the year 2017; how many livestock transporters were actually inspected at the (EU) Bulgarian border prior to going into Turkey ?
How many livestock transporters were found to be non compliant with EU Reg 1/2005 (animal protection during transport) at this stage of the journey?
What happened to those who were non compliant ? – were they allowed to continue or was their journey stopped ?
If there were any non compliances with Reg 1/2005; which I fully expect; what actions did / are the EU Commission taking on Bulgaria or other EU member states if exporters / hauliers are found to be non compliant with Regulation 1/2005 ?
As this directly involves liaison with the Bulgarian authorities, we have been told by the MEP’s that the responses to our points will not be quick in getting back to us. We appreciate that and will use any data provided to further question the EU authorities in Brussels who seem to think that by putting out a new video, all should be ok.
As you can see from the above earlier video link; the situation for EU animals being transported to Turkey is dire to say the least. A simple cartoon video by the ‘Animal Transport Guides’ (as per the new video link given earlier) does not really do anything to settle our serious concerns with EU animals being transported live via Bulgaria to Turkey.
Once we have a reply from the ‘Animal Transport Guides’ , MEP’s, and the Eurogroup for Animals answering our concerns; combined with hopefully a response to our questions asked to the EU Commission via our UK MEP’s, we will then review that data provided and consider what further action is required and how we continue with this campaign to get justice for animals.
At the moment we are now waiting for many people to get back to us. When and if they do, we will consider our next move.
SAV.
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It’s not even a joke, it’s not even an insult…….
Update 20/2/18 – Here is a response we have had tonight from one contributor to the site:
Hello Mark,
I got the video.
It’s not even a joke, it’s not even an insult:
it’s a lesson for children, a list of regulations that are in the order of 2005 for Animal Transport Regulation.
Do they want to tell us that we do not know the paragraphs?
How it should be, is in regulation 1/2005, and that’s what they do in this video.
You could show the video in a school and say “Children: that’s how it has to be”. That`s all, no more!
But they have the impudence to show this video as if reality were like that, and expect that we believe that everything is actually going as it says in this.
A purposeful insolence
I would answer them:
Gentlemen, we don`t need comics, we need real videos. We have them. You don`t, you just show the scheme, we know that too!
And if they think us stupid, if they want to cash in on their own inability and responsibility to the animals with stupid animal transport instructions, then we have an additional problem here: that they want to sell us stupid.
But I think the answer to this video is very simple:
please do not fool us. We know how the regulation is.
The video does not prove compliance with this rule.
It’s not like that and we proved it.
Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) 