USA: Major Breaking News 21/8/14 – ‘Mercy For Animals’ – Because of your support, we have secured a major victory for animals! – Nestle Introduce Massive Welfare Changes.

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

 

USA

SAV Comment:  If every day was as good a news bringer as this; there would be many more good days !! – Congratulations to our friends at MFA – job well done !

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Greetings!

Because of your support, we have secured a major victory for animals!

Nestle, the largest food company in the world, has just announced perhaps the single largest and most sweeping corporate animal welfare policy change in history!

The announcement follows a Mercy For Animals undercover investigation late last year that revealed shocking cruelty at a Wisconsin dairy factory farm supplier for DiGiorno Pizza, a Nestle company.

MFA’s undercover footage showed workers kicking, beating, and stabbing cows, and cows who were too sick or injured to stand being callously tortured and dragged by their fragile legs and necks with a chain attached to a tractor.

You helped us push for convictions of four workers charged with criminal animal cruelty at this factory farm and together we won.

Then, bolstered by your support and tens of thousands of petition signatures, we campaigned to convince Nestle to adopt meaningful animal welfare guidelines for its suppliers.

And today we celebrate a monumental success that will reduce the suffering of millions of animals.

Earlier today, Nestle announced landmark new global animal welfare policies to be implemented in each of its hundreds of thousands of supplier farms in 90 countries. Nestle has thousands of suppliers for dozens of brands like Lean Cuisine, Stouffer’s, and Hot Pockets.

Nestle’s global corporate policy change will eliminate particularly cruel practices for cattle, pigs, chickens, and turkeys. Practices like:

  • Dehorning and tail docking of dairy cattle and castration of piglets without painkillers
  • Extreme confinement of calves in veal crates, pigs in gestation crates, and egg-laying hens in battery cages so small they can’t even turn around or stretch their limbs
  • Use of growth promoters that often lead to crippling leg deformities, organ failure, heart attacks, and other obesity-related ailments in animals

We praise Nestle for stepping up to the plate and taking important steps to improve the lives of animals on a global level.

At Mercy For Animals, we are well-known for the impact of our undercover investigations of factory farm cruelty. Our investigations have led to sweeping changes in corporate animal welfare policies, like those adopted by Tyson Foods, Costco, Kmart, and others.

On the heels of Nestle’s announcement, it’s now time for Walmart, McDonald’s, and other global food retailers to stop dragging their feet and implement similar animal welfare standards, and with your help, we will continue to fight for meaningful animal welfare policy chan ge.

We absolutely could not do this work without you.

Thank you for supporting the world-changing work of Mercy For Animals. Please join us in celebrating this landmark success that will reduce the suffering of millions of animals every year. And remember that the most powerful action each of us can take to help protect animals is to adopt a compassionate vegan diet.

For farmed animals everywhere,

Nathan Runkle Executive Director

P.S. There is still much work to be done to eliminate the suffering of animals in factory farms. Please give today — you will help us achieve more victories for farmed animals!

 

Past SAV posts relating to Mercy For Animals investigation work:

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2014/04/23/usa-mercy-for-animals-canada-reveals-heartbreaking-cruelty-to-baby-calves-at-one-of-the-largest-veal-producers-in-north-america/  

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2014/08/06/usa-mercy-for-animals-great-news-ag-gag-is-dead-in-north-carolina-livestock-auction-owner-convicted-of-animal-cruelty-following-mfa-investigation/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2014/06/04/canada-new-undercover-video-by-mercy-for-animals-shows-baby-turkeys-mutilated-ground-up-alive-at-butterball-hatchery/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2012/10/11/usa-mercy-for-animals-undercover-expose-major-animal-abuses-at-burger-king/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2012/06/27/usa-update-excellent-result-for-mercy-for-animals-and-proof-why-ag-gag-legislation-must-be-banned-now/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2012/04/18/usa-mercy-for-animals-hidden-camera-footage-leads-to-arrest-and-criminal-charges-in-california-this-is-what-ag-gag-in-other-states-is-attempting-to-prevent-who-is-the-real-criminal/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2011/04/20/usa-mercy-for-animals-expose-calves-being-killed-with-pickaxe-and-hammers-at-e6-cattle-ranch-in-hart-tx-at-the-same-time-states-introduce-legislation-to-imprison-those-who-obtain-this-kind-of/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2012/03/04/usa-ag-gag-laws-now-starting-to-be-passed-a-dangerous-thing-for-animals-and-for-the-american-public/

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, PHOTOGRAPHS - **WARNING** (Animal Suffering), SUPPORTERS, VIDEOS | Leave a comment »

UK: British Vets “appalled” by halal board letter declaring them as “racially and politically motivated”. In fact, they are concerned about the welfare of animals at the time of slaughter !

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

 

 

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Source: http://www.meatinfo.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/17308/British_Vets__93appalled_94_by_halal_board_letter.html

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British Vets “appalled” by halal board letter

 

15 August, 2014 By Oli Haenlein

The non-stun slaughter debate between the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Halal Authority Board (HAB) has intensified, with the BVA saying it was appalled by suggestions made in an HAB open letter.

The HAB letter, addressed to BVA president Robin Hargreaves, was in response to the vets’ campaign to stop non-stun slaughter. It said the group is “racially or politically motivated”, and criticised the BVA for focussing only on the last few second of an animals’ life, ignoring the many other welfare issues.

The HAB letter also read: “It appears that there needs to be more of a balance in their comments and avoid unfair criticism on the Muslim and Jewish methods of slaughter as, probably, they are seen as soft targets. Any such criticisms they make against religious slaughter methods show them to be ill-informed and insensitive to the halal and kosher consumers as well as ignorant of the huge halal market in the UK, Europe and throughout the world.”

Hargereaves yesterday (14 August) replied: “I am appalled by the suggestion that veterinary surgeons would have any motive other than improving the welfare of animals at slaughter.

Our government e-petition states that ‘We must differentiate between religious and non-stun slaughter.’ And that ‘Our concern does not relate to religious belief but to the animal welfare compromise of non-stun slaughter.  ’“BVA is active across a whole range of health and welfare issues relating to food production animals and we are committed to improving the welfare of animals at all stages of their lives, from birth and rearing to transport and slaughter.

BVA, and individual veterinary surgeons in practice, are active in promoting best practice in relation to welfare, as well as lobbying for improvements across a number of areas. We have championed ‘whole life’ labelling to inform consumers of higher welfare standards throughout the process. It is false, therefore, to suggest that we have focused on one issue to the detriment of others.  “We recognise fully that these are sensitive issues and that is why we have held meetings with some of the key stakeholders, including representatives of Shechita and Halal, to encourage a more open dialogue.

While our position remains that every animal should be stunned before slaughter, if this is not possible we have been calling for clearer labelling to differentiate between stunned and non-stunned products.   This is an issue on which we will continue to engage all stakeholders, including meat producers, for the benefit of all consumers.” –

ritual slaughter logo

 

See more at: http://www.meatinfo.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/17308/British_Vets__93appalled_94_by_halal_board_letter.html#sthash.qMTUeWdC.QHODLp0w.dpuf

 

 

Related articles:

 

 

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Latest News From ‘Free Tibet’, London – 18/8/14. Chinese Forces Deploy Live Ammunition Into Protesters. Over 200 Arrested.

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

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free tbet 18 August

LATEST 18/4 – London Demo:

Join us tomorrow (20/8/14) at the Chinese Embassy

Last week China’s security forces opened fire on a Tibetan demonstration in Lochung, seriously injuring 10. Around 200 have been arrested and two died in detention on Sunday – Lo Phelsang in protest against denial of medical treatment and another from his injuries.

If you’re in London please join me for the weekly vigil tomorrow, opposite the Chinese Embassy from 6pm until 8pm. Let’s show China that the world is watching.
View the Chinese Embassy on Google Maps.
See the Facebook event.

Latest News From ‘Free Tibet’, London – 18/8/14.

 

China shoots protesters; two die in detention

10 Tibetans were seriously injured last week, after China’s security forces deployed tear gas and live ammunition onto a protest of around one hundred.

Yesterday Lo Phelsang killed himself in detention in protest against the denial of medical treatment, and another prisoner died from injuries.

The Tibetans were protesting the arrest of village leader Wangdak.

All male villagers over the age of 12 have now been arrested, with the exception of a few very old men.

Around 200 are thought to be in detention and many wounded are being denied medical treatment.  

Urge your government to stand up for Tibet

Tibetans are risking everything to assert their fundamental human rights.

Let’s keep up the pressure on world leaders to stand up to China; contact your foreign minister.

http://freetibet.org/email_targets/1810?utm_source=Free+Tibet+email+updates&utm_campaign=295a7b1e86-News_update_China_spam&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8b3b75e260-295a7b1e86-49881965

 

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free tibet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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England: Time Out With Mark Knopfler.

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

England

 

Mark Knopfler of British band ‘Dire Straits’ gives an overview of his superb guitar playing:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_7feGF9TA8

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=990GRjtnkDc

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENJlmnqxZUQ

 

 

Filed under: GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional | Leave a comment »

Serbia: Latest From Slavica 15/8/14 – Now They Threaten To Put Baby Deer ‘Nani’ Into A Zoo – We Request He Is Returned To Mrs Dragana Mitic.

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

Serbian Flag

Dear friends

We send to You a mayday message :

We need e-mail addresses of ‘DeutscheWelleTV’ – they have the ok to go in our area and make TV report; and if You can help with more  international TV and  International internet news reaction or by contacting however – please.

It is very urgent because  hunters and police arrested 2 months baby deer  and took him from his home , now they want to put him into some Zoo. . First plan was slaughter, but because of our action the baby deer was saved from  slaughter; but now hunters  spread story that the baby deer  will be put  into a zoo.

First story was  that  hunter will put him to Nature into the forest – all alone; a 2 month old baby.

 

All Zoos all over world are animal jails , and especially zoos in Serbia which are extremely terrible jails.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1Q747WUHAU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3xPq1dxqwk

Thanks

Regards

Slavica

baby deer 3

 

Mrs Dragana Mitic wants her baby deer back to her home, not to be sent to a zoo.

Baby deer is named ‘Nani’, and has no natural mother.  It wants to go home to Mrs Dragana Mitic – she cares about this baby and took care of him from very early in life when hunters killed his mother.

Mrs Dragana Mitic saved Nani`s first 2 months of life and now hunters and police officers arrested baby deer Nani.

 

By Serbian laws; Mrs Dragana Mitic has the  right  to receive  baby deer as she has ased for his returnk by the official way : Agreement from Minister of Agriculture for Nani be back to home; and Nani has the right to live like a member of Mrs Dragana Mitic family.

Nani suffers now with the hunters and he will always suffer in a Zoo jail; he will suffer to the end of his Life .

Regards

Slavica

 

Past SAV posts associated with Serbian zoos:

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2011/07/04/expose-040711-serbian-zoos-%e2%80%93-a-move-to-improvements-in-serbian-zoo-animals-living-conditions-using-the-eu-commission/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2012/08/06/serbia-can-we-go-and-see-the-animals-having-fun-at-the-zoo-daddy-the-real-side-of-palic-zoo-serbia-and-the-animals-that-exist-there/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2011/07/27/serbia-270711-investigation-reveals-illegal-zoo-operating-and-a-minister-who-does-not-have-a-clue-about-things/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2011/07/20/sav-and-help-animals-belgrade-join-forces-for-serbian-zoo-animals/

 https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2011/07/11/serbia-we-now-have-serbian-zoo-standards-documentation-is-this-legislation-a-paper-smokescreen-for-animal-prisons/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2009/04/06/europe-endcap-seeing-an-end-to-the-keeping-and-exploitation-of-wild-animals-in-captivity-for-human-entertainment/

We will never shy away from exposing the reality of

animal abuse and suffering – SAV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, SERBIA (Central Serbia: Capital - Belgrade) and (Serbia, SHELTER - Information, VIDEOS | Leave a comment »

USA: Sample Letter MUST BE SENT BY 18/8/14. Subject: Little ‘Men’ With Big Guns – Idaho Wants to Make Wildlife Killing Contests an Annual Event – Sample Letter Below.

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

USA

 

Idaho Wants to Make Wildlife Killing Contests an Annual Event:

Please Send Letter to Oppose

 

SOURCE PROJECT COYOTE

BACKGROUND

You may recall this past December Idaho held a highly controversial killing contest targeting both wolves and coyotes. This was the first time wolves were targeted in a predator killing contest since their reintroduction.

We have just learned the killing contest sponsor, a group called Idaho for Wildlife, is seeking to repeat this contest over several years, this time not only targeting wolves and coyotes — with prizes awarded for killing the most coyotes and the largest wolf–  but also other predators, in a multi-year “predator derby” scheduled for the next five winters (with the next one scheduled for January 2-4, 2015).

This event would be damaging to the affected ecosystem, harmful to ecologically vital species, incompatible with scientific principles of wildlife management, and offensive to the concept of fair chase, ethical hunting.

Your comments are needed NOW. Urge the BLM to deny Idaho for Wildlife’s request for a special recreation permit that would allow contestants to kill predators on over 3 million acres of public lands in Idaho for the next five years.

The BLM is currently soliciting input from the public on the scope of what should be considered in an Environmental Assessment (EA). The issues identified for analysis in the EA include the impact on economic and social values, the impact on existing recreational uses, and the affect on wildlife habitat and threatened species in the targeted area.

Please don’t miss this opportunity to voice your opposition (you do not have to be an Idaho resident to comment as this is federal BLM land- YOUR land!). 

WHOM TO CONTACT

Please act now! More info. here.

Comments are due no later than August 18th and can be emailed to:

Liz Townley Outdoor Recreation Planner blm_id_predatorhuntderby@blm.gov

or sent to:

Liz Townley Outdoor Recreation Planner BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Salmon Field Office 1405 Hollipark Drive Idaho Falls, Idaho 83467

Please cc Project Coyote as we are tracking letters sent (info@projectcoyote.org)

Please include in your subject line Re: DOI-BLM-ID-I000-2014-0002-EA

Please also include your full contact information so your letter is counted in the official record and address the three areas this scoping document covers: 1- the impact on economic and social values; 2- the impact on existing recreational uses; 3- the affect on wildlife habitat and threatened species in the targeted area.

SUBJECT

Re: DOI-BLM-ID-I000-2014-0002-EA

 

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Planner Townley,

I am writing to voice my opposition to  Idaho for Wildlife’s request for a special recreation permit that would allow contestants to kill predators on over 3 million acres of public lands in Idaho for the next five years.  Please do not provide these permits.  Allow me this opportunity to elaborate.

Killing contests have nothing in common with fair chase, ethical hunting. Technology, baiting, and “calling” place wildlife at an even greater and unfair disadvantage. Hunting in winter, when species can be easily tracked in snow and when most animals are working hard to survive contravenes the notion of fair chase. Killing predators, or any wild animal, as part of a ‘contest’ or ‘derby’ is ethically indefensible and ecologically reckless.

Bloodsport contests are conducted for profit, entertainment, prizes and, simply, for the “fun” of killing. No evidence exists showing that predator killing contests control problem animals or serve any beneficial management function. Coyote populations that are not exploited (that is hunted, trapped, or controlled by other means), form stable “extended family” social structures that naturally limit overall coyote populations through defense of territory and the suppression of breeding by subordinate female members of the family group.

The importance of wolves, coyotes and other predators in maintaining order, stability, and productivity in ecosystems has been well documented in peer- reviewed scientific literature. Coyotes provide myriad ecosystem services that benefit humans including their control of rodents and rabbits, which compete with domestic livestock for available forage. As apex predators wolves increase biodiversity and ecological integrity.

With fewer than 700 wolves in Idaho and poaching a common problem, allowing a killing contest of a species just off the endangered species list is reckless, indefensible and counter to sound science.

Economically, a live wolf is worth far more than a dead one. Wolf watching has brought in millions of dollars into Idaho and tourism is a major economic revenue source.

Wildlife killing contests perpetuate a culture of violence and send the message to children that life has little value and that an entire species of animals is disposable.

Wildlife killing contests put non-target animals, companion animals, and people at risk. Domestic dogs are sometimes mistaken for coyotes and wolves.

Although I do not currently reside in Idaho, I would be unwilling to visit should these revolting “contests” continue.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.

Name,

Address

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, LETTERS | Leave a comment »

USA: Article – Will SeaWorld’s Financial Woes Force It to Free the Whales?

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

 

USA

 

Our past posts:

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2014/03/08/usa-seaworlds-worst-nightmare-california/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2014/07/26/usa-could-this-penalty-spell-the-end-of-killer-whales-swimming-with-trainers/    

 

A new post by David Kirby on ‘takepart’:

http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/08/13/will-seaworlds-financial-woes-force-it-give-captive-whale-shows-us?cmpid=tpdaily-eml-2014-08-14

 

Will SeaWorld’s Financial Woes Force It to Free the Whales?

The company’s stock plunges as it admits animal rights protests are driving away customers.

August 14, 2014 By David Kirby

David Kirby has been a professional journalist for 25 years. His third book, Death at Seaworld, was published in 2012.

The business of owning and training captive killer whales in the United States just became a lot less profitable.

SeaWorld rocked the financial world and thrilled animal rights activists on Wednesday when its stock price dropped by 35 percent to a record low after the company announced that attendance at its water parks this year has fallen 4.3 percent.

The company blamed its woes in part on protests against its orca shows and legislation introduced in California that would ban using killer whales for entertainment in that state. “The company believes attendance in the quarter was impacted by demand pressures related to recent media attention surrounding proposed legislation in the state of California,” SeaWorld said in a statement.

The idea that SeaWorld would regard Shamu as a financial liability would have been almost unthinkable a short time ago, despite the fallout from the documentary Blackfish, which scrutinized the company’s treatment of captive killer whales. In the wake of the film, a string of musical acts canceled performances at SeaWorld parks, and Southwest Airlines recently terminated its 25-year marketing partnership with the company.

Critics took heart from the fiscal collapse, which led many observers to wonder just how long the company can hold on to its iconic whales and still make money.

“I’ve been watching the stock price fall all day—it’s been shocking,” said Naomi Rose, a marine mammal scientist at the Animal Welfare Institute and a prominent captivity opponent. “SeaWorld should take this as a chance to do the right thing and change its business model. Otherwise the market will force it to change—and the company and the animals will suffer for it.”

Jeffrey Ventre, a former SeaWorld orca trainer featured in Blackfish and my book Death at SeaWorld, said he expected the company to rebound from the stock crash. “That said, the trend line for SeaWorld’s U.S. operations does not look good,” he noted.

The question now: What will SeaWorld do with its unpaid performers if its stock price continues to underperform?

Activists hope it will be forced to retire its killer whales to relatively tranquil sea pens, where they could live out their lives to the natural rhythms of the ocean without having to put on shows for tourists in exchange for dead smelt.

If the California bill, which has been tabled for at least a year, were to become law, those activists just might get their wish.

But SeaWorld likely has an alternative plan. The company has made no secret of its intention to build parks in China and the Middle East, where animal-welfare regulations are more lax and public opprobrium toward orca captivity is muted, at best.

“That’s where the corporation plans to take its circus,” Ventre said.

It would be a win-win for SeaWorld. The company could develop new, non-whale revenue in the U.S. and begin rehabilitating its sullied reputation here while also generating millions in profits by shipping its orcas overseas.

SeaWorld’s Worst Nightmare: Calif. Lawmaker to Propose Ban on Orcas in Captivity

It’s too soon to tell what SeaWorld will do. But if its stock continues to tank, shareholders may press the company to free the whales.

“Four and a half years ago, SeaWorld had the opportunity to lead the captivity industry in a change for the better,” said Samantha Berg, another former SeaWorld trainer, referring to the killing of trainer Dawn Brancheau by an orca at the company’s Orlando water park.

“They chose to fight for their old business model instead of moving with the times,” Berg said. “They could have been on the right side of history. Maybe the financial pressure will finally force them to do the right thing. I hope so.”

 

 

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