Posted on June 29, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
We had to include this flag just to show what a complete joke EU animal welfare is.
UPDATE 30/6/16 – – we have now had confirmation that our message asking Mr Van Goethem to resign has been received and read. Will anything happen ? – most probably not; but until the useless EU steps up to the plate and takes action we will continue to hassle.
Your message
To: VAN GOETHEM Bernard (SANTE)
Subject: Resign now and dont let animals continue to suffer !
Sent: 29 June 2016 16:50:34 (UTC+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris
was read on 30 June 2016 11:59:52 (UTC+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris.
Your message
To: PRATS MONNE Xavier (SANTE)
Subject: Resign now and dont let animals continue to suffer !
Sent: 29 June 2016 16:50:34 (UTC+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris
was read on 29 June2016 16:51:27 (UTC+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris.
————————————————————–
Below you will find a typical useless EU example of why many people in the UK decided to leave the EU. Bernard Van Goethem and the others are people who in reality do nothing, whilst at the same time preach the rules of EU Regulation 1/2005 on the welfare of animals in transport. All the time animals suffer whilst these incompetents are in charge.
We call on Mr Van Goethem to resign from his pathetic no action position immediately.
You can send a copy of this post directly to him at
Bernard.Van-Goethem@ec.europa.eu
Copy to xavier.prats-monne@ec.europa.eu
—————————————————————-
Dear Bernard van Goethem, and for the attention of director general of SANTE Mr. Xavier Prats Monne,
Since 2010 we have been sending detailed reports, photos and videos to the Commission of our observations of livestock consignments coming from throughout the EU and trying to enter Turkey and warning that this route is a mess.
On June 3rd 2016, roughly one month ago, York Ditfurth, Director of TSB|AWF and myself, Director of Eyes on Animals, met with you and your team in Brussels to again explicitly ask for your help to do everything in your capacity to put an end to the on-going non-compliance and suffering of animals on this route.
As you knew, the only control post in Bulgaria was again closed, this time due to Lumpy Skin disease and the one in Romania would be full. We informed you of the frustration officials from Member States felt, not receiving clear and prompt instructions from the EU Commission on what action they could and should take. You promised to improve and increase communication with the Member States to instruct them on what to do to avoid any crisis again this summer.
For the past week Eyes on Animals and TSB|AWF have been at the Kapitain Andreevo (BG)/Kapikule (TR) border. We are still there now. Since arriving on June 23rd there has not been a moment of rest. The situation is the worst it has ever been. Just yesterday 55 EU animal trucks passed the Bulgarian Exit Post. Four pregnant heifers from Germany have already given birth on board the trucks and many animals from different origins are dead inside the trucks. We have seen several journey logs with this scribbled on them, in Bulgarian:
“Journey time exceeded! Planning not adhered to! Due to the complicated epizootic situation in Bulgaria, the animals continue the journey in accordance with art. 23 of Reg. 1/2005.”
It is totally unacceptable for the Bulgarian authorities to ignore breaches of 1/2005 that have taken place and that will probably take place once the animals leave the EU by relying on Article 23 on a regular basis.
Article 23 is designed to deal with emergencies; Article 23.2(d) should not be used to regularly allow non-complaint consignments to continue to their destination in Turkey.
It is impossible to comply with 1/2005 at the border. Article 3(a) provides that all necessary arrangements must be made “in advance to minimise the length of the journey and meet animals’ needs during the journey”. Article 3(f) provides that the transport must be “carried out without delay to the place of destination and the welfare conditions of the animals [must be] regularly checked and appropriately maintained”. Article 22.2 provides that “If any consignment of animals has to be detained during transport for more than two hours, the competent authority shall ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for the care of the animals and, where necessary, their feeding, watering, unloading and accommodation.” As it is impossible to comply with these provisions Member States of departure should not at this stage approve journey logs for export to Turkey.
We politely insist that you take immediate personal contact with the Bulgarian authorities so that, as of immediately, no more EU livestock trucks are allowed to exit the EU at this border crossing, leaving the animals to a horrendous fate beyond the EU control.
The letter you sent out only yesterday to the CVOs is sadly too late, and we are worried that the bureaucracy of leaving communication of such an important nature to emails will result in more delay to get any significant changes in the field now. This route cannot handle the volume of animals, and the temperatures are soaring and the infrastucture lacking.
I would like to request a response at your earliest convenience,
Lesley Moffat
Lesley Moffat, MSc Ethology Eyes on Animals – Director
Posted on June 7, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Regarding our recent post on the failure of the EU to enforce any protection for EU animals being tucked to Turkey, a non EU state, https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2016/06/06/the-eu-excuses-get-more-pathetic-by-the-day-contact-mr-van-goethem-and-show-your-disgust/ as the ex EU correspondent for Kent Action Against Live Exports (KAALE), I decided to go back into my old files as I know the name of Bernard Van Goethem very well. The two of us have corresponded in the past, when I presented many other failures of EU live animal transportation regulations to the EU; sadly, all of these appear to have been ignored also; certainly from what is recently still seen at Kent, English ports. There is very little, if any change.
As the copy of the letter (below) shows; I wrote on behalf of KAAALE to the EU (one of many letters – see ‘About Us’ – https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/about-us/ ) regarding concerns for animals in transport within the EU, including the UK. This letter is from early 2013 and specifically deals with the issue of trailer identification and the fact that live animals are / were being carried on vehicles which did not identify this in any way. It was often seen at Kent ports that live animal transporters did NOT carry any identification on them that live animals were being carried. To many outsiders or those not familiar with the trade, I can understand when people say that you must be able to identify an animal transporter trailer just by the look of it. Well I am afraid this is not always the case; as ‘box trailers’ with no visible access to the animals were sometimes used by the Dutch when operating in the UK. Here is a photo of a typical closed box trailer; which actually contains many dozens of live sheep.
Live sheep being carried in this trailer within the UK by a Dutch haulier – would you know it ? – where is the signage in accordance with EU Regulations on the transport of live animals ?
If you do not know that, then how are UK emergency services supposed to know it if the trailer overturns on a UK motorway ?. That my friends was the very essence of my letter of complaint to Mr Van Goethem – that trailers are not identified as carrying live animals; hence failing the requirements of EU Regulation 1/2005, and that the trailers did not have access doors fitted to them – something which Lesley identified so very much in her report to the EU on the very same issue.
Here below is a link to Lesley’s report on the importance of access in livestock trailers – why it is so very important to have multiple access doors to allow access to animals should they need it.
A statement exists in EU Regulation 1/2005 on ‘the protection of animals during transport’, that: ANNEX I – Technical Rules; Chapter II – Means of Transport; Section 2 – ‘Additional provisions for transport by road or rail’ – Para 2.1 clearly defines:
2.1 “Vehicles in which animals are transported shall be clearly and visibly markedindicating the presence of live animals, except where the animals are transported in containers marked in accordance with paragraph 5.1”.
SAV underline and red type above.
Evidence of the failure of ‘clear and visible markings’ on some livestock trailers is yet another example of where the EU has written legislation, in the form of Regulation 1/2005; but effectively, it (the EU) does not wish to ensure that its regulations are enforced by member states.
In his letter back to Mark of 6/5/2013, Mr Van Goethem clearly states at the end of page 1 that:
“You alert us to the fact that transports, often do not display notices warning that live animals are being transported. This is indeed contrary to the terms of the legislation, according to which road vehicles carrying animals ‘shall be clearly and visibly marked indicating the presence of live animals’.”
“This is of course of great importance to ensure the welfare and safety of the animals on board”.
“The Commission sees that it is important that the Regulation is properly implemented. It is however the member states that are primarily responsible for the daily enforcement of EU legislation, and the Commission would intervene mainly where there appears to be a systemic failure of the competent authority of a member state to enforce adequately the EU Regulation”
As of 2016, Dutch livestock transporters using the box type trailers are still being witnessed by UK activists on the roads of the UK, and ARE STILL carrying no signage whatsoever in accordance with EU Regulations.
So, we have to ask exactly what Mr Van Goethem and his ‘team’ are actually doing for the welfare of animals in transport from EU member states. In our opinion, very little at all; maybe even nothing. Not particularly good for someone who in his letter of May 2013 to Mark claims to be the ‘Director responsible for animal welfare in the DG for Health and Consumers’ (at the EU).
Why Mr van Goethem, have you taken no action either about the lack of clear signage on livestock carrying trailers ? We have given you the clear photographic evidence, the names of some of the hauliers doing this, and the actual sub para of the EU Regulation which declares that signage is completely important.
Why ?, why are you happy to fail the animals ? – you declare that you are a ‘Director responsible for animal welfare’ art the EU Commission.
Can we make a suggestion – that you practice what you claim to be and that you give a lot more understanding to the lives and suffering of animals in transport rather than just to your retirement pension from the EU !
Yet another reason for the UK groups to get out of the utterly useless EU and to undertake ex EU campaigning for all live animals in transport across the EU.
And more importantly, time for EU ‘importants’ to wake up to the real world; see all their failings and to actually do something about it. Something we have not seen to date.
Things are very close at the moment – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36271589 – many people wanting out simply because the EU does nothing; talks the talk; fails to enforce and then charges member states millions of pounds each week for not enforcing the regulations.
What would you do in such a situation ? – support the Van Goethem ‘do nothing’ policy or get out and try to improve the welfare of animals in transport ?
——————————————————–
——————————————————
We witness the dictatorship of incompetents!
In June 2012, the then EU Commissioner John Dalli assured us all to pursue the will of the 395 MEPs until 2014, who signed for a reduction of the transport of animals to 8 hours. And the will of 1,100,000 EU citizens who had signed the petition. In June 2012, Dalli disclaimed his promise.
To date, 6 years after, Dalli goes unpunished. A MEP cannot nullify his promise without consequences, just because it fits him like that. Unless he suffers from dementia or is corrupt. Both very poor properties to direct the Office of Health and Food.
Dalli is out, a new is here! His name is Mr. Van Goethem or perhaps Mr. Andiukaitis, or even Mr. Hogan. No one knows, because no one is responsible for anything. The only thing we know with certainty that all can nothing. It would be enough if they bring the 8hours campaign to an end, as a sign of fairness and restitution. If they had corrected the EU bad reputation in animal welfare because of the Dalli affair. If they had abolished the shameful Transport Regulation from 01/2005, we would not accuse the EU of being responsible for medieval barbarism in animal transport. We do not ask that they do all this because of love for the animals, but because animal welfare is in their contract, and because they get a turbo salary.
Clearly, we are experiencing the dictatorship of incompetents! When conducting talks with MEPs, you are at the end after half an hour. You sit opposite to merciless, disinterested and stupid janitor, with nice white shirts. And one wonders what they’re doing there. Besides earning a lot of money, of course.
Both Mr. Van Goethem and Mr. Andiukaitis would gain a higher reputation, if both would give up her job. Both are not able to lead a responsible animal welfare policy. In whose hands lies the future of animal transport?
In those of the incompetents, the washouts, the clueless. We need a new European model. For humans and animals. Venus
Posted on April 29, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
(All Photos – ‘Eyes on Animals’)
Regarding our recent post on live animal exports to Turkey; https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2016/04/27/update-27416-live-animal-exports-turkish-border-sample-letter-to-copy-and-send/ and the fact that we had heard nothing back from the EU about the video evidence or our petition for weeks (not even confirmation or a simple reply to confirm receipt); or the telephone conversation between Mark and Mr. Valletta; it now appears that things have moved on since our most recent call on Wednesday 27th April.
Thank you to everyone who sent a sample letter as left on the latest post – it seems that your messages may have got home within the EU Commission over the last few days !
In accordance with the request of the EU Commission for Health and Food Safety, we are happily publishing all the information which was sent to us today (29/4). This will further update everyone who has to date signed our petition over the last few weeks, and will provide everyone with a view of the response of the Commission on the matter.
The response is provided in 2 parts:
A Cover Note, and then a Main Document. Both are shown below for you to read.
The SAV address has been removed from the cover note.
The petition and coverage of this issue has not achieved a ban on the export of live EU animals to Turkey; we never expected it to – as money talks louder than us in animal welfare !, but we are proud to be a voice for the suffering animals and to be making a difference. Copies of the info (2 parts) have also been sent to Lesley at ‘Eyes on Animals’ in the Netherlands; http://www.eyesonanimals.com/ ; and over the next few days we shall review the situation with her and decide how to continue with this campaign, through both our sites. Campaigning does not finish just because we have now had a response from the EU; we will continue to present information and evidence as necessary to support our side of the campaign whenever it is necessary.
Thank you to everyone who has been involved with this campaign – we appreciate your help and support.
We are not sure, but the fact that the UK is having an election (23/6/16) on its future in the EU may have also some bearing on the rapid and sudden response here. The situation is simple; people in the UK are not happy with EU politics and politicians; and the endless time that it takes to make decisions. Who knows what will happen in the UK by 24/6, but we think the vote will be close regardless.
Our view – we want to see some action rather than the endless ‘weasel words’ from the EU which usually end with nothing. Lest hope that the situation for animals being exported to Turkey changes rapidly, for the better. If it does not, then there is always the vote on 23/6. EU you have been told; act, don’t just keep on putting out verbal and written assurances that actually amount to nothing. EU, we are watching you !
Regards SAV.
Food for thought from Venus:
Open letter to the answer given by Mr. Andriukaitis.
Ridiculous, untrustworthy, simply unacceptable!
So I find the answer to the SAV-mail, that I got of MEP Mr. Andriukaitis.
Such an outrageous answer has the EU Commission always preprogrammed.
In the case, that mails come and EU citizens finally ask from the MEPs to do something obvious, namely their jobs.
If Protest letters or emails are sent to the EU Commission, the Commission feels disturbed, annoyed and finally “no responsible”.
New but not less ridiculous is the “transparency exam” which is required and one should exist!!
Oh! Yes Mr.Andriukaitis!
This transparency report, had demanded the European Commission before October 2012 by the EU Health Commissioner John Dalli, when he reportedly “should have indirectly offered a deal by the Swedish tobacco company Swedish Match”!!
It was about the “Tobacco-Gate” in which even the highest Brussels officials were involved.
Simply and solely John Dali is to blame for the failure of the initiative for limiting the transport of animals to 8 hours. In June 2012!!
The hope and the confidence of more than 1 million EU citizens, who have opted for the 8-hour limit animal transport has been abused, and that again from the EU!
He, a Corrupt Commissioner, has prevailed against 395 EU Parliament votes.
Why did they did not demand “transparency test” from him?
And where today is the reparation of the European Commission for this former moral crap stand a corrupt MEP?
Nowhere!
All of us who do not want to see blood flow of trucks on the highways, all those who have a moral problem with the criminal animal transports in the “civilized” Europe, (which you obviously want to resort to the diplomatic way), we will all find a way and other people, we will find empathy enabled MEPs and they might even be running.
We will not give up to fight misery and suffering in the livestock sector.
Especially for this case, but also for the future.
Although morality and responsibility is not in our employment contract, and we do not get 21,000 euros per month.
But morality and work ethic cannot be paid with money obviously!
We will not give up.
Venus
(Here is the mail from Mr.Andriukaitis to me).
We acknowledge receipt of your email. If your message concerns a request for a meeting or a petition please see the information below. Important notice on Transparency: Meetings with organisations or self-employed individuals.
I would like to draw your attention to the Commission’s new policy on transparency which entered into force on 1 December 2014. More details can be found here.
Before we can proceed with your request for a meeting, could you please confirm whether you, or your organisation, are registered in the Transparency Register and provide your Register ID number? If you are not registered, you are kindly invited to register on this website. The meeting can only take place once we have received the confirmation of your registration.
Please be aware that the European Commission is committed to enhanced transparency. Therefore, Commissioners and their Cabinets only meet organisations or self-employed individuals that are registered in the EU’s Transparency Register.
Petitions
Replies to petitions are published on the Transparency Portal of the European Commission.
Posted on March 5, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
**UPDATE 1730hrs GMT 6/3/16**
Copy of SAV letter, EoA video of exports to Turkey from the EU, and a few photographs now sent to London Mayor Boris Johnson – supporter of a UK EXIT from the EU.
—————————
All photos – Eyes on Animals (NL).
Mark has now written a letter on behalf of SAV to the EU regarding the situation for animals in transport at the EU / Turkish border.
A copy of the SAV letter and the Eyes on Animals (NL) video can be viewed by clicking on the following links –
Please note that in the letter, only our contact details and address have been removed from this copy – otherwise it is unchanged.
Copies of the letter are each being sent to those detailed at the start, and we are sending hard copies by registered snail mail so that they have to be signed for on arrival. This is our guarantee that they have been received, hopefully will be read (?), and that we should be supplied with a written response sometime in the future – hopefully before June and the UK In / Out referendum.
Regards SAV.
Help Us please – we need to get as many people to support the petition as we can. Please crosspost widely – Thank you.
————————————————
ADDITIONAL ACTION REQUIRED – SAMPLE LETTER TO SEND
Dear all,
Venus has very kindly produced a letter – here in both English and German; which can be copied and sent to the 3 e mail addresses which are provided: To Juncker, Tusk, and Schultz.
In order that we have an effect, please copy and send the letter to the 3 mails provided – please make sure you add your name and nationality at the end of the letter where indicated.
To Mr. Jean Claude Juncker – President of the European Commission.
Mr. Donald Tusk – President of the European Council
Mr. Martin Schultz – President of the European Parliament.
Dear Sirs,
About 5 years ago, EU and non EU citizens have expressed a wish with the unprecedented number of 1.3 million signatures. This action went down in history of democratic participation.
These citizens then demanded a limit of animal transport to 8 hours, and so was named this campaign “8hours campaign” against the agonizing, unlimited journeys of animals through Europe to their slaughter. Today these same citizens are more than ever disappointed by the ignorance and contempt by the EU Commission.
Disappointed because the European Commission has still opted for the lucrative and not for the animal friendly transport of animals. These still take days and are painful.
Disappointed because is still flowing blood from the trucks on the highway, the blood of animals, who are carted unnecessary for days, thirsty, starving, injured, half dead to whole Europe, although this is against the EU-Transport laws .
Disappointed because these “citizens’ initiatives” are systematically ignored from the European Commission, although they belong to the participation in the legislation in the EU after the Lisbon Treaty.
This disappointment has already reached the limit of anger within the EU countries. Because it is not just only an issue of animal rights. It is the betrayal of the European Commission on its citizens. It is the rejection of the European Commission to respect the decisions of their citizens who want nothing other than to improve an outdated Animal Transport Regulation.
This anger will reveal its first consequences in UK in the referendum. The power of the Internet is very large, you know better than we do. We can reach a lot of people, educate them, and eventually convince them. For or against EU. But which side are you on?
Dear Sirs, Vor ca. 5 Jahren hatten EU- und nicht EU- Bürger einen Wunsch geäußert, der mit der beispiellosen Zahl von 1,3 Millionen Unterschriften in die Geschichte der demokratischen Mitbestimmung eingegangen ist.
Diese Bürger verlangten damals ein Limit der Tiertransporten auf 8 Stunden, und so bekam diese Kampagne ihren Namen „8hours Kampagne“ gegen die qualvollen, unbegrenzten Fahrten der Tiere durch Europa zu ihrem Schlachtort.
Heute sind diese, dieselben Bürger mehr denn je enttäuscht von der Ignoranz und Verachtung der EU-Kommission.
Enttäuscht, weil die EU-Kommission nach wie vor für die lukrativen und nicht für die tiergerechten Tiertransporte entschieden hat. Sie dauern Tage lang und sind qualvoll.
Enttäuscht, weil von den LKW`s auf der Autobahnen immer noch Blut fließt, das Blut der Tiere, die unnötig Tage lang, durstig, verhungert, verletzt, halbtot durch Ganzeuropa ein gekarrt werden, ob wohl das gegen die EU-Gesetzten ist.
Enttäuscht, weil diese „Bürgerinitiativen“ von der EU-Kommission systematisch ignoriert werden, obwohl sie nach dem Lissabon Vertrag zu der Mitwirkung an der Gesetzgebung in der EU gehören.
Diese Enttäuschung hat schon die Grenze der Wut innerhalb der EU-Länder erreicht. Denn es ist nicht nur ein Thema der Tierrechte.
Es ist der Verrat der EU-Kommission an ihren Bürger. Es ist die Ablehnung der EU-Kommission, die Entscheidungen ihrer Bürger zu respektieren, die nichts anders wollen, als eine überholte Tiertransportverordnung zu verbessern.
Diese Wut wird ihre ersten Konsequenzen in UK bei dem Referendum des Volkes zeigen. Die Macht des Internets ist sehr groß, das wissen Sie besser als wir. Wir können viele erreichen, aufklären, und schließlich überzeugen. Für oder gegen EU. Auf welcher Seite stehen Sie?
Posted on February 25, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Stopping long distance lie animal transport is an issue that we feel very strongly about and have campaigned against for over 25 years. See more about this in ‘About Us’ which is tabbed at the top of the page.
25/2/16 update
As well as completing contact and supply of the EU / Turkish video to all of the UK MEP’s today, we have also sent copies of the video to the European Parliament’s Press Service, which comprises a team of press officers whose job it is to assist journalists and provide them with information on what is going on in Parliament. Each press officer specialises in a particular area, official language or member state, so as to ensure comprehensive coverage of all of Parliament’s activities and to provide information to journalists from all Member States.
The video or issue of non EU animal exports is not currently being discussed by Parliament, but we have made the Press Service aware of the UK referendum in June; which we know they will be interested in. We have outlined that many UK voters will be influenced by the video.
We have today (25/2/16) written to:
the Director for the Media and European Parliament Spokesman
the Head of Press Unit and Deputy Spokesperson
the Head of the Media Services Unit
And the 4 members of the Press Unit – Spokespersons Service
We flagged the message and have already had confirmation back from almost everyone that they have read the mail (which contains the video link).
We hope that even though the issue is not currently being discussed by the Parliament, the UK referendum and the release of the new video may work its way through to some EU journalists.
Posted on September 4, 2015 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
28 August 2015
IEC conference: Avian influenza and welfare
Egg industry leaders came together at the International Egg Commission conference in Lisbon at a time of crisis. A global threat called avian influenza was foremost on everyone’s mind. That, and the ongoing animal welfare discussion around beak-trimming and male layer chicks, were the main focuses of the meeting.
Author/Organization:World Poultry
Year:2015
Topics:animal health, eggs production, laying hens, welfare on the farm
Sherrie Webb Named Animal Agriculture Alliance Chairperson
The Animal Agriculture Alliance Board of Directors recently elected Sherrie Webb, director of animal welfare for the National Pork Board (NPB), as chairperson of its board of directors.
Author/Organization: The Cattle Site
Year: 2015
Where: United States of America
Topics: animal welfare/general concepts, welfare on the farm
Animal Production and Health Division e-newsletter 122
Contents: 1) Hardy cattle boost Zimbabwe farmers’ incomes. 2) Worries rise over outbreaks of avian flu in West Africa. 3) FAO boosts capacity of the Ugandan government to fight Foot-and-Mouth disease. 4) FAO ECTAD Indonesia: a fun way to exchange messages with farmers at the Indolivestock Expo. 5) FAO projects win prizes at EXPO 2015. 6) Mobilizing the Data Revolution: evidence from Eastern Africa. 7) Realizing ‘Uganda Vision 2040’ through livestock. 8) Realizing ‘Tanzania Vision 2025’ through livestock. 9) Maintaining Global Freedom from Rinderpest. 10) FAO China ECTAD Highlights. 11) FAO project: “Una salud” – Rabia Bovina.
Author/Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Canada Supports Safe Transportation of Livestock and Poultry
Canada has given a grant of $183,929 to the Canadian Animal Health Coalition (CAHC) to help ensure that livestock and poultry are transported in a safe and humane manner by certified transporters.
Author/Organization: The Cattle Site
Year: 2015
Where: Canada
Topics: livestock, poultry/chickens, transport, welfare during transport
Large multinational processing companies, retailers and foodservice organisations are starting to define the way that producers view animal welfare and ethical, sustainable production.
Author/Organization: The Cattle Site
Year: 2015
Topics: animal production, ethics, farming, retailers, standards, welfare on the farm
Over 12,000 Dairy Cows to Benefit from Welfare Awards
Compassion in World Farming celebrated the commitment of leading food businesses to improve animal welfare standards at their Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards held at the Milan Expo on 9 June, hosted by chef, writer and broadcaster, Allegra McEvedy MBE.
Author/Organization: The Cattle Site
Year: 2015
Where: Italy
Topics: dairy cattle, dairy production, standards, welfare on the farm
In pigs, an intact, curly tail may well be the most important animal-based welfare indicator, says the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It stands for both high quality management and respect for the integrity of the pig. It is obvious that a farmer who gets his pigs through to slaughter without tail docking or signs of tail biting must be managing a very good system. What is unfortunate, though, is that management of this quality is a rare occurrence, writes Melanie Epp from the 2015 International Conference on Pig Welfare, Denmark.
Author/Organization: The Pig Site
Year: 2015
Topics: genetic , pain/injury/harm, pigs, training, welfare assessment, welfare on the farm
How to Replace, Reduce and Refine Antibiotics On Farm
Pressure is mounting on the animal health industry to reduce, replace and refine the usage of certain antimicrobial medicines, writes Michael Priestley.
Author/Organization: The Cattle Site
Year: 2015
Topics: animal health, animal production, disease control, human health, livestock, water buffaloes, welfare on the farm
Federal Legislation Introduced to Prohibit Slaughter of American Horses
Federal lawmakers introduced legislation to prevent the establishment of horse slaughter operations within the US, end the current export of American horses for slaughter abroad, and protect the public from consuming toxic horse meat.
Author/Organization: Animal Welfare Institute (AWI)
Year: 2015
Where: United States of America
Topics: food safety, horses, importing/exporting, legislation, meat production
Table of Contents: 1) The University of Stellenbosch shines a light on the way forward for the animals. 2) The Democratic Alliance makes a ground-breaking stand on animal sentience. 3) South Africa’s Rosie Kunneke is arrested for throwing herself between a pod of pilot whales and their killers. 4) Ships of Shame and Insanity – an expose of the heart-breaking trade from East London to Mauritius. 5) South Africa’s Nikki Botha helps bring about a ban on animal sacrifice at Nepal festival. 6) Cape Town man shares his experience of “perhaps the toughest job in the world”. 7) Sixteen Cape Town high schools debate whether battery farming of laying hens should be banned. 8) Countdown to the end of stalls for breeding sows… 16 months until ban deadline.
Author/Organization: Compassion in World Farming (South Africa)
Africa Network for Animal Welfare Newsletter, August 2015
This issue at a glance: 1) Vaccination in Naivasha and Voi; 2) Judicial Dialogue; 3) Naivasha Desnaring and rescue; 4) Desnaring; 5) Desnaring.
Author/Organization: Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW)
Year: 2015
Topics: animal health, animal welfare/general concepts, dog population management, public health.
25 August 2015
Transport of Calves from France via Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria to Turkey, 04th – 10th July 2015
From 04th of July to 10th July Animals’ Angels observed three transports carrying calves from France to Turkey, via Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, exiting the Border Inspection Point at Kapitan Andreevo.
According to the information received, the animals were loaded at FRAYSSINHES, FRANCE and destined for KAHRAMANMARAS, TURKEY which means a journey of around 4.500 km.
Taking into account the extreme length of this road transport and the importance of the checks at the Border Inspection Posts, all parties involved should have used their maximum attention to verify the compliance of these transports with Council Regulation No. 1/2005. On the contrary, the competent authorities did not check thoroughly the three transports as provided by article 21 and calves travelled for 7 days staying in the truck, in their own excrements, with diseases not treated, without food and without access to water, without sufficient space to move, in the heat of the summer, waiting long times at the Turkish customs and without appropriate rest.
From the journey log it was already clear that the planning was unrealistic and the part of the journey in Turkey did not take into consideration the enforcement of the Regulation 1/2005, as the Court of Justice recently confirmed in its sentence No. C-424/13.
Author/Organization: Animals’ Angels (AA) and Asociación Nacional para la Defensa de los Animales (ANDA, Spain)
Year: 2015
Where: France, Turkey
Topics: animal stress/discomfort/distress, calves, importing/exporting, inspection and control , legislation, transport
Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)