Posted on June 2, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
1944: A boy doing his school lessons watched by his pet squirrel. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Voting in? You have the blood of Spanish bulls on your hands
The fact is that we care more about animal welfare. And if we left the EU, we could act on that.
Camilla Swift
4 June 2016
We British have always had a strange relationship with animals.
We spend £5 billion a year on our pets and it is often said that we love our dogs more than our children (perfectly understandable, in my book). It makes sense, then, that we have some of the world’s highest animal welfare standards. Our European neighbours don’t always have quite the same attitude. If we could ask our four-legged friends how they’d vote in the EU referendum, I’m pretty sure they’d woof, miaow or moo for ‘out’.
Take the Maltese, for example, who enjoy shooting turtle doves as they migrate every spring (a banned sport for which Malta has been given special dispensation). The French prize gastronomy far above animal husbandry, so force-feed their geese to make foie gras. Bullfighting, meanwhile, is still a popular pastime for many Spaniards.
The fact is that Britain is better at animal welfare, with or without the EU. And in many ways, being in the EU holds British farmers back. Why? Because, as with all the other legislation handed down to us from Brussels, we stick to the rules, while many other countries treat them as no more than vague suggestions.
Take sow stalls — narrow metal cages in which female pigs are kept while breeding. The UK banned them in 1999; the EU finally followed suit in 2013. The trouble is, many countries simply ignore the EU ruling. More than two years after the legislation was put in place, six countries had still failed to officially comply, and the National Pig Association believes that other countries which claim to stick to the rules are also flouting them.
The continued use of sow stalls isn’t just an animal welfare concern. They cut costs — that’s why they were invented — so EU countries that tacitly allow them can produce cheaper pork and still sell it into the British market. Our farmers struggle to compete: they’re being punished for obeying the law.
Similar cases are not hard to find. In 2013 Italy ran into trouble with the European Court. The Italians had known for 13 years that a ban on battery cages for egg-laying hens would apply from 2012 — but claimed they hadn’t had enough time to ensure all farms complied. They lost that argument, but all they had to pay as a result was the legal costs of the case — no fine was levied.
Furthermore, as a member of the EU, the UK cannot prevent the transportation of live animals, which are subjected to needlessly long, stressful and cramped journeys to be slaughtered on the Continent. Banning the practice might hinder inter-EU trade, so tens of thousands of British lambs are exported live and bleating to be killed in abattoirs which wouldn’t meet our welfare standards.
EU rules also allow for the free movement of pets thanks to pet passports. Animal charities believe the system is being abused, with hundreds if not thousands of puppies brought here each year on fake papers. Bred in terrible conditions, they are crammed into lorries (or sometimes suitcases) and shipped across the Continent for up to 40 hours — at less than eight weeks old. Our own Defra should of course do more to stop this, but the sad fact is the EU doesn’t care about the breeding of dogs half as much as we do.
Another welfare issue is Boris Johnson’s favourite hobby horse: the funding of bullfighting. In 2013 it emerged that payments were being made under the Common Agricultural Policy to Spanish farmers rearing bulls for bullfights — more ‘oh no’ than ‘olé’. The practice might well be part of Spanish culture, but it’s hard to see how it doesn’t break all kinds of animal welfare codes. MEPs voted last year to stop EU money going to breeders of fighting bulls — but under CAP rules the vote was ‘not executable’. Unless those rules are changed, it will continue to fund bullfighting. One has to ask: why would animal lovers choose to stay in a union where we have no control over where our money goes — and it’s virtually impossible to change things?
If we left the EU, then we would of course have to comply with the regulations of any country to which we exported. But we would have the option of refusing to trade with countries that didn’t meet our welfare standards, thus encouraging a better standard of welfare everywhere, not just at home.
Leaving the EU would let us make the most of our reputation as animal lovers.
Rather than compromising our standards, we could brand ourselves as a beacon of higher-welfare farming — and set an example not just to Europe but to the world.
Filed under: GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, LETTERS, The "Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) ALLIANCE | Leave a comment »
Posted on May 19, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
From the Dogs Mouth:
Well the UK is now less than 5 weeks away from the remain in the EU, or leave the EU vote.
According to opinion polls the situation is very close:
It is not our position to try and influence people on which way they should vote. Everyone has their own personal reasons, of which animal welfare could be a small part for some; for others it will not be an issue at all.
We will be voting on 23rd June; the same as everyone else; and two major factors that will influence our decisions relate to live animals in transport, and the Serbian membership of the EU in the future. Will Serbia continue to ignore all the rules and legislation regarding (its own national) animal welfare as we have clearly presented over the years, or will it actually adhere to what Regulations and Directives the EU has in place ? – we very much doubt it.
British people (well at least half of them) are completely and utterly fed up with the false promises of action which are always coming out of the EU. The reality is that these are simply delaying tactics because the EU Commissions do not really wish to get involved with undertaking prosecutions against individual EU states who are NOT enforcing EU legislation, such as Romania, and others who for example export live animals to Turkey, but do not even ensure EU animal transport rules are enforced in the first place !
As an EU member state, the UK is a pretty good one. Largely, we abide by the rules and regulations, and try to comply whenever possible. Some nations do not adhere to the rules regardless of their membership; they take the money and handouts, at the same time doing their own thing. Is this one reason why the people of the UK are fed up with the EU – there appears to be very little positive movement to bring the rule breakers into line; so the question is asked; why should we enforce all the legislation when some others do not and appear to get away scott free with breaking rules !
Whilst EU Commissions do nothing about animal welfare enforcement,, animals in the EU will continue to suffer.
We have presented clear evidence to the EU (Enlargement Commission) of the immense animal suffering and non compliance with (its own) national legislation by Serbia. The EU has totally ignored us and what we say – so now the EU is in a situation – lose the UK and accept Serbia, or improve and keep the UK; and ensure Serbia actually does what the legislation of Serbia says on the Serbian tin !
If the UK does vote to leave the EU, and get away from EU legislation; effectively handing UK legislation back to the UK government, then this will not naturally mean that all the animal welfare groups based in the UK will pack up and do something else. In fact the situation is probably quite the opposite. The EU in terms of animal welfare legislation may benefit by the UK getting out. How ? – the UK has high animal welfare laws anyway, and these will be improved on and campaigned for even more with an EU exit situation – guaranteed !!
UK politicians will not be able to blame the EU for not allowing the UK to do or change ‘this or that’ regarding legislation; it will be back in their hands, and as a result, with all the excellent animal welfare campaign groups here in the UK, we could very easily have a situation where the UK government is forced to improve yet more (national UK) animal welfare legislation. If this is achieved then UK organisations can then go back to the EU and hopefully get EU legislation improved by showing what can be done regarding improvements by an ex EU member state.
With Serbia waiting to join, the EU has major decisions to make – does it improve animal welfare with help from nations such as the UK, or does it allow Serbia to become a ‘Romania 2’ and drag the whole ‘welfare’ issue further into the EU gutter ?
June 23rd will allow UK residents to decide on the future of the UK in or out of Europe. At the moment, from what we see and hear, the UK will be getting out; regardless of the views of the opinion polls.
We write on 19/5 to inform the EU that we are not happy with their actions – and our message is deleted without even being read !
This is the reality of the EU today – this shows how concerned they are at the views and feelings of their citizens.
Your message
To: JANZEN Jan (CAB-HAHN)
Subject: UK In Out ?
Sent: 19 May 2016 23:06:35 (UTC+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris
was deleted without being read on 20 May 2016 10:04:23 (UTC+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris.
“There are many reasons in Europe to feel at home. Europe is a guarantee for peace, a common space of freedom, security, justice and prosperity “(Reiner Wieland, Vice-President of the EU Parliament).
If it has this guarantee ever existed, it has expired since long!
The reasons that Mr. Wieland has mentioned, do not enable the EU citizens “feel at home”, but are since long been a reason to leave this home and to look for a new home.
The English, though they are not an EU country, have never forgotten the doom of the Greeks.
Environmental protection, energy policy, social laws, animal welfare – nothing that comes out of Brussels, making the lives of British safer, cheaper or more just.
Switzerland, Norway and Iceland are examples showing that it is better to be only loosely connected to the EU.
The nations of Europe, particularly the British, are watching every day with horror into which hopeless situation the EU states have fallen.
In addition, the embarrassing role of Germany in Libya conflict and their underhanded strategy against the ‘problem’ of emigrants from Syria, (what Germany caused itself helped by the US), wakes each day the fear that we have to do with a new “German Problem”.
These are all the reasons for which the vote of the UK gets a special meaning in June.
It is a purely political vote and the result will have only political consequences.
There are many indications for divorce, even if Cameron wants to prevent it.
Germany is still trying to fry an extra portion of sausage for the problematic whiner.
But the impression thickens in many EU partners that Britain’s departure is unstoppable.
Of course, the “German problem” remains in Europe, even if Britain should get out of the club.
A leaving of England would signal a new political landscape in Europe that we need now more than ever urgently.
Venus
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, LETTERS | Leave a comment »
Posted on May 10, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
All French foie gras farms are currently empty due to a disease that has been infecting ducks kept for the production of this cruel ‘delicacy’.
But, from next week, the French Agriculture Minister will allow farmers to bring ducks back onto their farms and restart foie gras production.
Ducks reared for foie gras have to endure the horror of being force-fed up to four times a day for the final two weeks of their lives.
Foie gras production is so cruel that it has been banned in many countries, including the UK, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway and Poland.
Will you send an e-card to the French Agriculture Minister to highlight your disgust at this cruel practice and demand that the foie gras farms stay closed forever?
The production of foie gras is staggeringly cruel. In addition to the appalling suffering inflicted by force-feeding, during this period the animals are trapped in tiny, barren cages.
The temporary closure of France’s foie gras farms is due to end on 16th May.
We have no time to lose.
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, GLOBAL PETITIONS - Anything Animal, Anywhere !, LETTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS - **WARNING** (Animal Suffering) | Leave a comment »
Posted on May 4, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Website: Still Under Production – see below.
Message: I’m writing to invite you to take part in a global day of action against live animal transportation on Monday August 29th – the 20th anniversary of the biggest live export disaster when more than 67,000 sheep died as the ship carrying them burned.
Although I am coordinating it on behalf of Compassion in World Farming, it is not their day. The Animals Are Not Freight website, logo and all associated resources will not be CIWF-branded, and the message each participating group gives out is entirely up to them.
The aim is to demonstrate global opposition to this global trade. It’s a chance for us all to come together and speak with one voice, while adapting the precise message for the decision-makers, media and public in our own regions and countries.
To be effective, we need groups of all sizes around the world taking action, and as a powerful voice for animals in Serbia, we really need you!
Compassion plans to hold a media event in London plus an event for our supporters to attend (details to be finalised). Our European offices will all be organising their own actions, and we will be working hard to get the message out online, too. And of course, I am approaching groups all over the world. Some – including in South Africa, Canada, Australia and Iraq – have already pledged to take part.
It would be wonderful if you could organise an event – a candlelit vigil, a march, a photo stunt for the media, a remembrance service for the animals who have died, a demonstration outside your government’s offices… whatever you think appropriate. The bigger the better for this global day of action. We need the world to take notice.
The Animals Are Not Freight website – which is on its way – will allow groups to upload any event they organise, and individuals to download social media images, placards and other resources, all with the Animals Are Not Freight logo.
We hope you will get involved. Please do ask if you have any questions.
All the best,
Kate Fowler
Campaign Manager (Interim)
Compassion in World Farming, UK
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, LETTERS, SUPPORTERS, The "Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) ALLIANCE | Leave a comment »
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.
COVER NOTE
LINK TO MAIN DOCUMENT
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.
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, DOCUMENTS, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, LETTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS - **WARNING** (Animal Suffering), The "Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) ALLIANCE | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 27, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Update 27/4/16. Live animal exports – Turkish border.
On 5/4/16, Mark telephoned Mr. Marco Valletta at the EU DG (Commission) for Health and Food Safety. Mr. Valletta is directly responsible at the Commission as part of Commissioener Vyetenis Andriiukaitis’ team with responsibilities which directly include animal health and animal welfare.
Turkish exports petition link –
Eyes on Animals video about the terrible conditions at the EU / Turkish border –
As you can see in the first link given above, Mr. Valletta was sent a copy of the EoA video in relation to the situation at the EU / Turkish border. As we stated in our post of 6/4, we are waiting now to hear back from Mr. Valetta about a) his views on the evidence provided in the video, and b) what actions he is going to take to rectify the situation for the hundreds of animals which suffer at the border.
The situation is that as of today, 27/4; we have had no response whatsoever from Mr. Valletta or the EU Commission since the discussion which took place on 5/4. Despite promises of some action, there has been nothing from the man who allegedly represents ‘animal health and welfare’ at the Commission – Mr. Valletta.
And so today (27/4) Mark has once again telephoned the EU offices of Mr. Valletta. This time they were both unable to discuss as Mr Valletta was not around, but after explaining the situation of no response to his assistant, Mark declared his wish for a formal response on the situation from the Commission.
For non EU supporters, this is another example of just how the EU is getting out of control; dragging things on and on; getting nowhere – and (for example) where UK citizens are contributing £150 Million a week towards the EU and being in the ‘club’ – and then we never even get a response !! Is it any wonder lots of Brits want to get out of the EU ? – the whole EU thing has now just become a complete farce.
If you wish to send a mail to Mr Valleta regarding the situation for live EU animals exported from the EU to Turkey, then here below is a sample letter to copy and send; or alternatively, modify and send.
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Mr. Valletta;
Re EU live animals exported to Turkey for slaughter.
As the alleged person responsible for both ‘animal health’ and ‘animal welfare’ in the Health and Food Safety Commission of Vytenis Andriulaitis; I am more than surprised to learn that you have not even seen the video footage provided by ‘Eyes on Animals’ of EU animals suffering during transport to Turkey. In other words, you have ignored the problem here of extreme bad animal health and welfare for at least the last five years since the video was first made. As the video clearly shows, Article 13 of the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as EU Regulation 1/2005 for ‘the protection of animals during transport’, are both being clearly violated and flouted; and despite the clear evidence, still you do nothing.
This constant expose which has lasted for many years shows that you really care very little about animal health and welfare, otherwise you would have acted before now and stopped such situations as shown from taking place.
Your failures and lack of actions are doing nothing to promote the usefulness of the Commission which you represent; and especially the terms ‘animal health and welfare’.
We need action and we need it now. Please sort out the problem or alternatively, step down from your position in the Commission and let it be taken by someone who will act – as you certainly do NOT represent good animal health and welfare. Take action immediately to resolve this problem of live animal suffering at the EU / Turkey border; lets not have to wait another 5 years for still no EU Commission action.
I have signed the petition at
and will encourage as many people to support this until you act and represent animal welfare as your Commission title suggests you do.
You are paid a good salary at the EU to enforce the regulations in areas which you are responsible for – ie animal health and welfare – so do it !!
Yours truly,
Name and nationality.
———————————-
Please send the letter to the following:
marco.valetta@ec.europa.eu, cab-andriukaitis-webpage@ec.eu
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, GLOBAL PETITIONS - Anything Animal, Anywhere !, LETTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS - **WARNING** (Animal Suffering), VIDEOS | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 18, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Dear Mark,
Shrimp trawling is one of the primary threats to sea turtle survival in the United States. Every year, the shrimp trawl fishery incidentally captures and kills thousands of sea turtles, including the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley.
For a short time, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is accepting public comments as it prepares an Environmental Impact Statement and reevaluates how to manage the shrimp trawl fishery.
We need you to send an email by April 29th.
“Turtle excluder devices,” or TEDs, prevent turtles from drowning in nets, but limited applicability and lax enforcement have led to thousands of sea turtle deaths. Turtle Island is requesting that all shrimp vessels using “skimmer trawls” that are currently exempt from using TEDs should be required to use TEDs. Turtle Island is also requesting that NMFS consider additional protective measures including increased observer coverage and increased enforcement of existing and future TEDs rules.
Please give sea turtles a voice and let officials know they need to do more to protect sea turtles from the shrimp trawl fishery!
Please submit your comment by e-mailing Michael.Barnette@noaa.gov by April 29th.
Below is a sample comment.
Dear National Marine Fisheries Service,
Please use this opportunity to do more to protect sea turtles from the shrimp trawl fishery, which has been the primary threat to sea turtle survival for decades. I am requesting that all shrimp vessels using “skimmer trawls” that are currently exempt from using TEDs should be required to use TEDs. I am also requesting that NMFS consider additional protective measures including increased observer coverage and increased enforcement of existing and future TEDs rules.
Sincerely,
Your Name Here
Thank you for your help!
Sincerely,
Joanie Steinhaus
Program Director, Gulf Office
Turtle Island Restoration Network
SeaTurtles.Org
Thank you.
Filed under: GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, GLOBAL PETITIONS - Anything Animal, Anywhere !, LETTERS | Leave a comment »
Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) 