TV chef Jamie Oliver campaigns for pig-welfare
The British public is ignorant of the suffering of many of the pigs whose flesh ends up on their plates, according to TV chef Jamie Oliver, who, along with the RSPCA, is to call for tougher EU minimum welfare standards and more accurate labelling.
The aim of Oliver's Channel 4 programme, "Jamie Saves Our Bacon," to be screened at the end of this month, is a significant decrease in the sale of imported pig-meat, much of which comes from animals raised in grotesquely intensive conditions, including much of the EU.
Citing the "diverse variation in pig welfare across Europe and the world," Oliver endorsed the call from the RSPCA's Julia Wrathall for labelling "under a system which makes sense to everyone," although the latter also drew attention to the "unacceptable conditions" endured by the nine million animals reared in this country each year for meat.
Terms such as "free range," "outdoor-bred," and "outdoor-reared" encourage a gross obfuscation of the wretched environs in which many pigs are imprisoned; while the similarly disingenuous application of the term "British food" to pork reared abroad has met with the condemnation of Environment Secretary Hillary Benn (see story below).
Oliver's programme will cover pig-welfare from insemination to slaughter, and address such barbaric practices as tail-docking, sow-stalls, farrowing crates and appalling long-distance transport conditions. The attendant ill-health of countless millions of animals throughout the EU is indeed shameful, but campaigning group Animal Aid last week lambasted the still-"appalling" barren, overcrowded pens on English pig-farms.
Animals Count strongly supports the campaign of Jamie Oliver and the RSPCA, but agrees with Animal Aid that in order to avoid suffering, the best course of action is to boycott pork altogether.
15 January 2009
Food labelling, pig welfare and the environment
Speaking at an Oxford Farming Conference on 6th January, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn called on supermarkets to label food products more clearly. He said it was nonsense that under current European regulations, Danish pork can be labelled as a British product.
Animals Count agrees with Mr Benn's sustainability principle, but believes that 'encouraging production' can only be sustainable if food production becomes a carbon neutral, or carbon-low production system, that respects the environment and animal welfare. Intensive farming does not adhere to this principle and therefore should be banned.
In-depth feature articles about poor animal welfare in intensive pig farming were published on 6th January in several media, showing CIWF and other European organisations' undercover investigations. EU regulations are grossly flouted during pigs' lives in intensive farms and during transport, a fact also acknowledged by Prof. Winkler in his letter to the Guardian on 9th January.
The recent investigations clearly demonstrate the need to ban misleading food product labels that pretend pigs grow up outside with ample space to roam. The harsh truth is that pigs are kept on slatted, concrete floors without straw; pregnant and lactating sows are kept in cages so small they can't move; piglets are castrated without pain relief; and tails are routinely docked to prevent animals attacking each other.
Animals Count believes labelling of animal food products should not only indicate detailed information about animal welfare, but also the impact on the environment. The Food and Agricultural Authority (FAO), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other authoritative agencies have called for urgent remedies to combat global warming as a result of livestock farming (the production of beef, but also dairy production are particularly polluting).
10 January 2009
Lords debate transport of horses for slaughter overseas
On 15 May Lords debated transport of horses and Lord Davies of Oldham affirmed that the Government wished to see an end to the live transport of horses for slaughter throughout the EU. However, since the practice is well established in some member states, Lord Davies said that the best the Government could do was to ensure existing legislation is properly enforced.
Earlier this year, an international campaign 'Handle with Care' was launched to highlight the plight of animals transported over long distances. The campaign includes putting pressure on Governments and the EU to end live animal transport and to encourage chilled meat trade instead. World Horse Welfare and the RSPCA, for example, had actively lobbied for a ban on the transport of horses for slaughter and a blanket ban on the transport of animals for slaughter respectively.
The situation with horses was of particular concern, said Conservative peer Lord Higgins, who agrees with an outright ban. He argued that the transport of animals for slaughter over long distances was 'appalling'. Other Lords seemed similarly concerned.
Undercover investigations and footage of this appalling situation has finally reached the European Commission who will be reviewing regulations next year. A survey of lorries in Italy and eastern Europe had discovered that none of the vehicles were obeying the rules. Currently, the regulations do not place a limit on journey times, Lord Higgins observed, adding that the requirement to stop every 24-hours was improperly supervised. It was inappropriate that supervision was left to local authorities, the peer argued, stating that national governments and international bodies like the EU should step in to ensure compliance.
Animals Count welcomes the call for action by the Lords and will take this issue forward as one of the main manifesto policies in next year's European Parliamentary elections. Long distance transport of live animals is unnecessary, very cruel and eventually more costly than transporting chilled meat.
(The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) will have an exhibit at the Animal Transportation Association (AATA) Conference in Dresden from 18-21 May, showing undercover footage and launching a new scientific book about long distance transport and welfare of animals.)
17 May, 2008
Duke and Duchess campaign against foie gras at Selfridges (and WTO implications)
An aristocratic family, the Duke and Duchess of Hamilton, are abhorred by the continued sale of foie gras products at Selfridges and have written a letter to the chief executive to explain their reason for a boycott of Selfridges. They also mentioned they would encourage friends and family to avoid the stores.
Apparently the duchess has been successful before in banning foie gras from the House of Fraser group in Edinburgh. Peaceful campaigns by individuals and animal welfare groups have already led to a number of successes, including removal of the product at Harvey Nichols.
One of Animals Count's members is campaigning at directors level to ban foie gras from menus of hotels and restaurants, and countless more protest against stores and write to MP's. We believe it won't be long before foie gras disappears entirely from UK soil. It may be difficult to impose an outright import ban due to WTO rules, but the limitations of these rules are currently tested in a unique legal case.
The Netherlands and Belgium have decided to ban the import of fur from Canadian seals and Canada is now investigating how they can use the WTO rules (of equal trade between nations based on non-prejudice, where animal welfare is not considered) to demonstrate the Netherlands and Belgium are breaking the rules. Because these countries are part of the EU, the EU is defending them in this legal case. The outcome of this case can influence future whether similar bans are to be introduced or whether the WTO will win trade arguments over animal welfare.
Animals Count encourages the government to introduce an import ban on all animal products that are not allowed to be produced in the UK, including foie gras, cosmetics (although a partial ban will come into force next year and some products tested on animals can be imported until 2013), and fur of any animal (mink, foxes, seals, bears, etc.).
2 April, 2008
Hilary Benn's statement on bird flu in Dorset
Today DEFRA published Hilary Benn's Ministerial Statement on Avian influenza. Benn said that 'On 16 January, a fourth mute swan, collected on 11 January as part of wild bird surveillance from the same area, tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza. This is not unexpected, and our enhanced surveillance of wild birds in the area is continuing, including active patrols to look for dead wild birds.
We will also be carrying out sampling of live swans in the swannery in order to investigate whether any others are infected. In addition, we will be carrying out sampling of other species of wild bird, by testing their droppings, for evidence of virus within the area of the swannery.'
On 26th January a sixth swan tested positively for H5N1. DEFRA reported that as of 3pm on 25 January, the restrictions on the movement of poultry or other captive birds in the Wild Bird Monitoring Area fell, and that such movements no longer require a licence. However, Animals Count believes that the real risk of bird flu is at poultry farms.
While bird flu is endemic (always low risk of infection) in wild birds, when domestic birds (usually chickens, ducks or turkeys kept in large numbers) are infected with the virus the disease spreads like wildfire. The conclusion is that we should not be keeping animals in intensive conditions that compromises their health and welfare in the first place.
27 January, 2008
2012 EU battery cage ban will be upheld
On 1st December we reported that the battery cage for laying hens would disappear from Britain. On 10th January the European Commission published its report in which it recommends that the ban on battery cages should not be postponed but should come into force in 2012 as planned.
Peter Stevenson, Chief Policy Advisor at Compassion in World Farming said: "The Directive gave farmers a very generous 12 years to move away from battery cages. It's a scandal that the industry has been pressing for even more time.
"Now that the Commission has ruled that there should be no delay, we hope the egg industry will stop fighting the ban and belatedly knuckle down to getting their hens out of cages and into barn and free-range systems."
Animals Count agrees with CIWF that the alternative 'enriched' cage is not good enough either. No cages at all for any farm animal. Free range systems do improve the lives of animals, however they do not eliminate the fact that animals are still used and killed prematurely for humans' selfish needs.
17 January, 2008
Intensive quail farm: 'delicacy' animal dead, dying and diseased
Undercover footage taken by the League Against Cruel Sports of a quail farm shows very dire conditions in which dead, dying and diseased animals are scattered amongst the still living. Many of these 'delicacy' animals have no feathers left.
Today The Guardian reported the story and uploaded the footage to their website, demonstrating the cramped and filthy multi-level wire cages in dark a shed.
The farm, Fayre Game, produces pheasants, partridges, guinea fowl, quail and other game birds as well as exotic meats including ostrich, and produces as many as 65,000 quail and 150,000 quail eggs every week. The Commercial Director stated that 'we maintain the highest welfare standards' which obviously contradicts the footage.
The League Against Cruel Sports has produced a report, The Great Game Hoax, which 'reveals that the British shooting industry has become heavily dependent upon imports of eggs and chicks from countries such as France, in order to meet growing demand for game.' The game and shooting industry has nothing to do with conservation but everything with supporting intensive farming of animals that are absolutely not adapted to these cramped and disgusting cages.
Animals Count is shocked by the footage and calls for a consumer boycott of all game products. We further want the government to restrict the multi-million pound shooting unethical industry which misleads consumers into thinking 'game' animals are OK to buy. 'Delicate' animals such as quail are far from the 'wild, natural and ethically produced' animals they are usually sold for. Harrods and Selfridges have responded by taking quail and quail eggs off their shelves.
22 December, 2007
Second FMD outbreak linked to contaminated soil from Pirbright
Another embarrassment for DEFRA was revealed today when
The Times reported that the second outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth-Disease (FMD) in Surrey was caused by contaminated soil from the Pirbright laboratory. Top soil containing live virus was spread by contractors on land next to a farm where animals later showed signs of the disease.
The contractors' details remain anonymous out of fear for animal rights activists who sometimes target contractors dealing with research laboratories. Animals Count believes that those who are responsible for spreading disease and causing unnecessary suffering and death to cows by causing a second FMD outbreak should be held accountable and punished. There is absolutely no reason to keep the culprits' details confidential.
Interestingly, today the Health and Safety Commission recommended to strip DEFRA of its inspection role of the research laboratory in Pirbright as well as other dealing in dangerous animal pathogens.
Animals Count welcomes the results from this inquiry and hopes that the government will take appropriate action against those who failed in their 'duty to care'.
13 December, 2007
Battery cages will be banned by 2012
If you think this was already decided at EU level you are right, but many industry members and certain Member States such as Italy were trying to delay the ban by 10 years because according to them there were no suitable alternatives.
Now Lord Rooker, Minister for Sustainable Food and Farming and Animal Health, has promised that barren battery cages confining laying hens in small wire cages with less space than an A4 sheet of paper each are definitely to go in 2012 in the UK, even if some Member States decide otherwise.
Animals Count applauds this stance, but is nevertheless disheartened that the ban has taken nearly forty years after the deplorable conditions in battery farms were first criticised. In alignment with Compassion in World Farming Animals Count agrees that so-called 'enriched cages' are not good enough either.
Says Jasmijn de Boo, Animals Count Chair, 'We would like to see all cage systems replaced for all farm animals. They are cruel and increase the risk of spreading disease. The animal should not be made to 'fit the system' but the system should take into account the animal's needs and interests.'
1 December, 2007
96,000 bird flu victims
A staggering 96,000 turkeys, ducks and geese have been culled during the latest bird flu outbreak; most of them did not have the disease...
Yesterday The Times reported that Fred Landeg, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer did admit poor bio-security measures were in place at the farms run by Redgrave Poultry (workers moved freely between farms without changing clothing, boots or washing their hands), but 'it seems unlikely that any prosecution will be brought against the company because bio-security is not covered by legislation. Legal action is taken only in cases in which lax hygiene causes animal welfare problems.' Animals Count believes this needs to be urgently addressed.
The government seems to blame wild birds as the source of the outbreak which angered The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) who said that 'despite increased surveillance of birds, not one had been found with the virus'.
The RSPB also accused the Government of failing to take speedy action to prevent the possible spread of the disease from infected turkeys to wild birds.
Animals Count considers the killing of almost one hundred thousands birds truly tragic and condemns the lack of government and industry desire to minimise such deaths through vaccination and compliance with best practice hygiene protocols.
30 November, 2007
New outbreak of foot-and-mouth at Surrey lab
Last week it was reported by The Independent that FMD had leaked into the drainage system at Pirbright laboratory, just days after it had started producing avian flu and FMD vaccines again.
While most politicians including the Liberal Democrats, are concerned with the welfare of farmers, Animals Count is astounded that the vaccination policy is still not in place. Ring vaccination is a precautionary measure which can save many lives and prevent economic wastage when another FMD disaster hits the country.
The UK would rather maintain OIE status 'FMD-free' so that it receives highest ranking by the WTO in terms of trade status. That vaccinated animals can still be traded is of no interest to the government.
The Association of Lawyers for Animal Welfare gave presentations on Wednesday 28th November and the overview of Professor Lee about the FMD disaster in 2001 (and lack of vaccination again in 2007) was particularly interesting and topical.
Animals Count urges the government to vaccinate animals in areas where cases have been confirmed or in areas that are at risk, e.g. around the Pirbright laboratory in Surrey.
30 November, 2007
Bird flu... Out of the blue?
Almost 29,000 (free range) turkeys have now been killed as today the Guardian reported a second outbreak on the Norfolk-Suffolk border. The animals came from four farms closely linked to the infected site in Diss. DEFRA confirmed it was another case of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain.
The new infection site, Hill Meadow Farm, was identified as having "dangerous contact" with the initial outbreak last week because workers for Redgrave Poultry, which operates all five sites on which culls have taken place, moved between the farms.
Animals Count is deeply saddened at the loss of these lives and would like to remind people that the initial bird flu outbreak did not come out of the blue, but most likely from intensive farms where the animals' immune systems are clearly weakened and the virus can spread as wildfire.
We would like to see an end to factory farming and all systems conducive to health and welfare problems such as the contagious diseases (FMD, Bluetongue, Avian Flu, TB, etc.) as well as the inherent 'system diseases' such as lameness, mastitis, heart failure, cannibalism, etc.
When will we start showing more compassion towards other sentient beings and stop thinking in terms of our selfish, economic needs? Animals Count is saddened that the government keeps killing animals while many of these diseases can be prevented. Affected farmers receive compensation; why? Other industries don't get this level of support.
19 November, 2007
Almost all of England now part of the Bluetongue Control Zone
After 2 more cases of Bluetongue were confirmed near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and Ashford, Kent, another case was confirmed in Rye, East Sussex on 19 October.
Bluetongue is spreading fast and thousands of animals (mostly sheep) suffer and die. Vaccines were not ready yet in the UK while the disease had already made hundreds of thousands of victims in mainland Europe for about a year... Although midges are responsible, no doubt the large concentration of farm animals contributes to rapid spread of the disease within the UK.
Animals Count would like to see a rapid response in EU changes for vaccine development and regulatory acceptance. Bureaucratic requirements are currently halting developments of effective disease vaccinations. Animals need not unnecessarily suffer and die!
DEFRA responds to Animals Count letter regarding Foot-and-Mouth Disease and live export
On 25 September Animals Count sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Benn MP and we received a reply that included the following:
DEFRA were almost going to vaccinate but 'expert advice' withheld them from doing so. As for live exports, DEFRA replied that the number of exported live animals had fallen anyway, but that they could not ban live exports due to trade regulations.
Read the full response here.
21 October, 2007
York's future for foie gras: a resounding 'no'!
On World Animal Day, 4th October, all 45 York councillors (barring two abstaining Liberal Democrats) banned the sale of foie gras on council premises. They also pledged to contact all caterers to explain the council disapproves of the sale of foie gras.
A complete ban, as is the case in Chicago, USA, was not possible at this time; however, this campaign led by Labour councillor Paul Blanchard is already a major victory for the millions of force-fed ducks, whose fatty livers are imported from France.
The issue has been on York's agenda since January 2007 but the vote finally happened a few days ago. Local (YAFA) and national (PETA) animal protection organisations organised a demonstration in the afternoon to highlight the cruelty involved in the production of foie gras. Animals Count was also present to support this important animal campaign at local council level.
Said Andrew Knight, Animals Count President, Policy Advisor and veterinarian:
"Foie gras production is extremely cruel resulting in a high proportion of injuries to ducks and geese. By voting for a ban York has placed itself firmly on the map as a leader in animal welfare. We hope other UK cities will join York in the near future."
6 October, 2007
UK plagued by bluetongue - Animals Count not surprised
In addition to the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak a fourth case of bluetongue has now been confirmed in Suffolk. Animals Count is not at all surprised; the infectious disease has already caused havoc in Germany, France and the Netherlands. Apparently, bluetongue is spread via midge vectors, rather than animal to animal.
DEFRA has confirmed an official outbreak of bluetongue. This has transport (and thus economic) implications in a wide area. The Dutch political 'Party for the Animals' tabled a motion to encourage the government to vaccinate sheep against bluetongue. Thousands of sheep have suffered and died in the Netherlands, yet a vaccine, serotype 8, is available.
The danger of FMD has not receded yet either; another temporary control zone has been set up around a farm in Berkshire. It is clear that the government does not have the situation of infectious animal diseases under control.
Animals Count has sent a letter to Secretary of State, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, urging the government to vaccinate animals and calling for a ban on live animal transport. The government only considers the effects of the oubreaks on the economy (farmers profit). Ethical considerations ought to take higher priority.
Gordon Brown said at the Labour conference that Labour speaks for the whole country. Well, wake up, Labour, to the hundreds of thousands of people who actually really care about animal welfare; they do not condone your active killing policies!
29 September, 2007
More animals with FMD slaughtered
On 22 September the 6th case of FMD was confirmed in Surrey and the animals have been slaughtered. Over 1800 animals have died in total so far... The only reason why the government is not vaccinating is because of economic reasons. The UK wants to keep exporting animals and that would be difficult if animals have been vaccinated.
When tested, animals show the same response in their antibodies when they have been vaccinated as when they actually have the disease. However, supermarkets already stock meat products from vaccinated animals without labelling it as such.
Animals Count is very disappointed in the government's response, who claim that the outbreak is contained and therefore no animals need to be vaccinated across the country. We are also surprised that certain farmers only discovered the obvious signs of disease 10 or even 20 days after onset of the disease in their animals. Surely, farmers have a 'duty to care' under the Animal Welfare Act too.
24 September, 2007
Hundreds of animals killed again; vets 'on standby' to vaccinate
At at time when farmers organise wholesale markets and shows, in other words, when millions of livestock are transported, sold, slaughtered and retailed, foot and mouth disease (FMD) has been confirmed again at two farms. Although the movement ban has already been lifted (good for farmers, not for animals), restriction is still in place within 6 miles around the Surrey farms.
Animals Count is curious why the veterinarians are 'on standby' to vaccinate from tomorrow and why animals had not been vaccinated earlier. DEFRA even decided to slaughter on suspicion pigs on a farm in close proximity to the two Infected Premises in Surrey. Again hundreds of animals have been killed despite the availability of vaccination.
Diseases such as FMD and bird flu are inherent to intensive farming systems and Animals Count is very concerned that the government is not taking any measures that really try to prevent such outbreaks. Livestock policies that should be improved include:
- Phasing out farming systems with poor welfare consequences for animals.
- Improving animal welfare by raising farming standards and by removing trade barriers and other measures that encourage poor welfare or husbandry standards.
- Supporting new and old farming methods that enhance animal welfare or reduce use of or dependency on animals.
- Phasing out livestock farming subsidies in sectors where consumer demand is falling, and redirect such subsidies towards plant based agriculture and the promotion of biodiversity, and to the general areas of ‘environment’, ‘education’ and ‘public health’.
- Ending the long distance transportation of live animals to or from destinations within the UK of over 200 miles, European continental destinations and further afield.
16 September, 2007
EU ends export ban; bad news for calves
Yesterday the EU lifted the export ban on British
livestock, meat and dairy products imposed after the FMD outbreak.
Farmers were relieved that their £2m a day in lost income would end. Welsh Assembly Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said that "the re-opening of the EU market for Welsh farm produce, particularly for lamb, is a vital to the economic well-being of the Welsh livestock industry."
There was no mention of animal welfare whatsoever. No mention of the (male) calves which are the majority of live animals being exported to the continent. Compassion in World Farming cited "academic studies [that] have shown that young calves do not cope well with long journeys: they suffer significant weight loss, are very susceptible to heat and cold, and frequently become ill in the weeks after transport because their immune systems are under-developed. For example, one report estimated a death rate of five per cent post-transport, which is significantly higher than for other livestock."
Animals Count believes that the economic drivers behind live export should be replaced by ethical drivers leading to exporting meat products only. The dairy industry should reduce the number of unwanted male calves, and exporting live animals should become economically unattractive.
24 August, 2007
FMD: already over 500 animals killed
Yesterday DEFRA lifted the Temporary Control Zone around
a third farm in Surrey following negative test results for Foot and Mouth Disease. However,
the animals had already been killed.
Over 500 animals have so far been killed and although Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Debbie Reynolds said vaccination would be considered before culling, Animals Count wonders how many animals need to die before this policy will be applied.
12 August, 2007
FMD: vaccinate and debate
After investigations by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) it seems likely that the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) started at the Pirbright research site. Transmission through flooding or sewage problems or airborne contamination were ruled out. Human error is highly likely. Debates are ongoing whether it was accidental or deliberate.
Interestingly, according to DEFRA, 'deliberately infecting an animal with foot-and-mouth is punishable by six months in prison and a £5,000 fine.' Yet submitting (farm) animals to a range of negative (intensive) conditions and highly aversive practices (e.g debeaking, teeth clipping, castration all without anaesthesia) is perfectly legal. This dichotomy cannot rationally be explained other than that the vested interests of the industry would be at stake when it comes down to ending these cruel practices.
Meanwhile, due to new EU legislation the possibility of vaccinating rather than culling cattle within the exclusion zone became more realistic. A PhD study in the Netherlands in May of this year found that vaccination is the most effective way of halting infection if the disease spreads to other areas. However, economic reasons (under trade rules any vaccinated animals have to go into a separate supply chain and apparently the vaccination itself is costly) may influence the decision whether or not to vaccinate.
Animals Count encourages the government to vaccinate in order to avoid unnecessary deaths. So far, 214 animals have been culled since Saturday.
Apparently the RSPCA has set up a hotline for farmers to help them cope with FMD distress. Whilst Animals Count lauds the initiative, we must not forget that healthy farm animals are sent for slaughter and killed prematurely anyway for the food industry.
8 August, 2007
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE HITS THE UK AGAIN
On 3rd August, the Department for
Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) confirmed a case of foot and
mouth disease (FMD) on a farm near Guildford, Surrey. A day later DEFRA issued a statement
that the strain was also found at a Pirbright pharmaceutical company, Merial,
which used the strain in vaccine production.
A protection and surveillance zone of 10 kilometres was imposed,
as well as national measures to restrict movement of cattle and pigs and their products.
The last FMD outbreak in 2001 confirmed 2,030 cases, but well over 6.5 million animals were killed, which caused great distress and public outrage. A 2002 government report concluded that the origin of the UK outbreak lied in the Far East and that the outbreak was caused by the feeding of untreated infected meat or meat products to pigs.
Already 64 cattle on the Surrey farm have been culled in an attempt to avert a repeat of the 2001 crisis. The EU applies a non-vaccination policy in order to be able to export live animals. To keep the UK disease-free culling is the only measure the government will take. However, scientific research shows that emergency vaccination of cattle and sheep is very effective in halting spreading of FMD.
Animals Count believes the government should vaccinate animals instead of killing them and calls on the EU to change its policy.
5 August, 2007