Farm Animal Voice - Issue 181 by Compassion in World Farming

FARM ANIMAL

VOICE YOUR MAGAZINE FROM COMPASSION IN WORLD FARMING

Issue 181 – Spring 2011

VICTORY

FOR DAIRY COW WELFARE Nocton Dairies withdraw planning application

THE BIG MOVE Europe unites to defend the 2012 battery cage ban

ARE WE ALWAYS WHAT WE EAT? Is higher welfare healthier?

WALK WITH COMPASSION Get active for farm animals

CAMPAIGNS THAT MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE Thank you

ISSUE 181

FARM ANIMAL VOICE CONTENTS UPDATE

4 News Headlines from around the world

INSIGHT 8 The Big Move European campaign to keep the 2012 battery cage ban 12 Higher welfare = healthier food Are we always what we eat? 14 The cost of food What has it got to do with factory farming?

INSPIRATION 18 Mary Mead A voice of optimism

21 Paying tribute

ACTION 10 Campaigning to make a difference People power that stops cruelty 16 Give as You Live 22 Supporter round-up and fundraising ideas for the summer

WHAT PRICE FACTORY FARMING ?

Front cover photograph © Image Source

Editor Richard Brooks Production manager Sarah Bryan Design Neo – The Positive Change Agency Farm Animal Voice Compassion in World Farming, River Court, Mill Lane, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1EZ, UK Enquiries Tel +44 (0) 1483 521 953 (lines are manned Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm) Email supporters@ciwf.org Compassion in World Farming is a registered charity (England), registered number 1095050. Our Patrons Bishop John Baker, Alexandra Bastedo, Jilly Cooper OBE, Princess Alia Al Hussein of Jordan, Penelope Keith OBE, Bruce Kent, Joanna Lumley OBE, Sir Peter O’Sullevan CBE, Jonathon Porritt CBE, Sir Crispin Tickell GCMG KCVO

COVER STORY 6 VICTORY FOR DAIRY COW WELFARE Nocton Dairies withdraw planning application for 'mega dairy'.

WELCOME Firstly, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who believes in Compassion in World Farming and the work we do to end factory farming. As you will see in this issue, we really are making a huge difference to the lives of farm animals, everywhere. The last twelve months have been incredibly busy, and the coming year looks set to be just as challenging, with ongoing dialogue and new campaigns planned to ensure that all farm animals are properly protected from factory farming cruelty. We hope this issue of Farm Animal Voice inspires you to tell your friends and family about the difference you are making – to animals, people and the planet. So, once again, thank you for your continued support, together we are crossing out factory farming, one cruelty at a time. Philip Lymbery Chief Executive P.S. With summer on its way, there’s no time like now to get out and about, raising money and awareness for Compassion – see page 22 for some fun fundraising ideas! My personal blog is available at: acompassionateworld.org or you can follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/philip_ciwf

CAN YOU OFFER A HOME?

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED THIS CAMPAIGN AND AGREES THAT 'COWS BELONG IN FIELDS'. 3

The RSPCA needs suitable homes for all varieties of rescued or abandoned farm animals. If you think you could provide a home, please contact the RSPCA at sswfarm@rspca.org.uk

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UPDATE

COMPASSION IN FRANCE In February this year, Compassion in World Farming hosted an exhibition stand at the annual Salon de l’Agriculture in Paris for the second year running. The event proved to be another success, spreading Compassion’s message about higher welfare chicken and eggs to 678,700 visitors over 9 days of exhibition. Our presence generated significant media coverage, featuring on four of the main national radio stations, including RTL which has the biggest audience in France.

NETHERLANDS PLAN TO BAN DOUBLE DECKER CATTLE TRUCKS To our dismay, live exports from the UK have resumed after many months. Defra has confirmed that since December, there have been 8 sailings of animals to continental Europe. These sailings include sheep, pigs and unweaned calves. Some of these unweaned calves have been sent on horrendously long journeys to Spain. Compassion in World Farming is totally opposed to this resumption of the notorious live export trade. The export of British sheep to continental abattoirs often involves immense suffering both on the long journeys and then at slaughter, which is often carried out in breach of EU welfare rules. We urge Britains’s sheep farmers to abandon this inhumane live trade. Sheep farmers are heavily subsidised by the taxpayer and, if they wish to continue receiving

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these subsidies, they must be responsive to legitimate public opposition to the live export trade. Compassion’s Chief Executive, Philip Lymbery, commented: “There is no justification for trading unweaned animals on extraordinarily long journeys. They are likely to be reared in conditions inferior to those of the UK. As for sheep, this underlines the nonsensical nature of the live export trade; there simply is no reason why animals can’t be slaughtered in their country of rearing and the carcases exported to wherever they are wanted. After all, carcases don’t suffer; live animals can, and often do.” Compassion will be lobbying vigorously and doing all we can to ensure that this inhumane trade is ended for good.

The Netherlands government has announced plans to ban double-decker trucks for transporting cattle aged one year old and over. Investigations and inspections have found serious welfare problems for cattle in these trucks. For example, cattle sustained serious back injuries because the roof of the truck was too low. The Netherlands imports and exports millions of animals every year.

Geert Laugs, head of CIWF Netherlands, said: "We welcome this move to improve animal welfare during transport. These trucks were shown to cause needless animal suffering. Other European Union Member States should urgently follow this positive move."

EUROPE'S MINISTERS DEFEND

THE BATTERY CAGE BAN

Barren battery cages are due to be outlawed across the European Union (EU) from 1 January 2012. Despite the 12 years that producers have had to get rid of this archaic system, some are still trying to get a postponement of the ban. Compassion was delighted when, at a 21st February meeting of the EU Agriculture Council, the majority of EU ministers rejected a proposal to delay the ban. The UK was amongst the governments who called for the ban to come into force on 1 January 2012 without delay. At the meeting, Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for the UK's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, emphasised that delaying the ban would be “enormously unfair to all the poultry keepers in the UK and other countries around Europe who have worked so hard to stop using battery cages.” This outcome is very encouraging for the millions of hens kept in barren battery cages across the EU, and bears testimony to the thousands of Compassion supporters who have already taken action for hens in "The Big Move" campaign. But we cannot afford to become complacent. Some EU member states are still lobbying for a postponement of the ban, and so the campaign continues. Read more about Compassion's campaign to defend The Big Move for battery hens on page 8.

EGG-CEEDINGLY GOOD WELFARE The UK’s number 1 cake brand has gone free range across its entire range! Mr Kipling, one of the flagship brands of Premier Foods, has made the fantastic move to use only free-range eggs. Compassion’s Food Business team has been in dialogue with Premier Foods since 2009 when we awarded their brands Quorn and Ormo with Good Egg Awards. For the last 12 months, we have been working with Mr Kipling Cakes, discussing the possibilities of them going free-range. This is a major move in terms of laying hen welfare: Mr Kipling uses 60 million eggs a year in their cakes and slices, so we estimate this decision will benefit around 200,000 animals every year. Mr Kipling's egg buying team has worked closely with suppliers to ensure the provenance and sustainable supply of their free-range eggs. We will continue to encourage Premier Foods to roll out freerange eggs across all their brands over the coming years. The new cakes are in stores now so look out for the ‘Beryl the free-range hen’ mark on packs. Mr Kipling has also launched its own ‘Egg-ceedingly Good Egg Award’ to recognise the nation’s most thoughtful people.

SOW STALLS TO BE PHASED OUT IN SOUTH AFRICA In January 2011, following intense lobbying by Compassion in World Farming in South Africa, the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO) agreed to phase out the use of sow stalls. There are currently around 100,000 breeding sows in South Africa, who give birth to around 40,000 young pigs to be reared for slaughter each week in the country. Compassion South Africa is now pressing SAPPO to commit to a firm date of 2017 for a complete end to the use of these cruel stalls.

If you would like to nominate those thoughtful people in your life whose small acts of kindness and good deeds make a real difference and bring a smile to the face of others then please visit mrkipling.co.uk Compassion is pleased to announce that Mr Kipling will receive a 2011 Good Egg Award for its compassion for laying hens.

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ACTION

VICTORY FOR DAIRY COW WELFARE February 16th 2011 was a very good day for cows – it was the day Nocton Dairies withdrew their application for a mega-dairy intended to house 3,770 cows indoors for most of their lives. Compassion’s year-long campaign owes much to our supporters, who responded enthusiastically and in great numbers to help us fight the threat of ‘mega-dairies’ in the UK. Our Nocton Campaign Manager, Pat Thomas, reports on the build up to this groundbreaking day. – CAMPAIGN IMPACT – • 18th February 2011: District Council Officers publicly admit that had the application gone ahead, they were already minded to refuse it on grounds such as risk to public water supply, the impact of noise and smell, risk to environment and concerns over threats to local wildlife. Many of these issues had already featured in Compassion’s public campaign and official submission.

• More than 5,500 campaign actions taken by Compassion supporters.

• An unprecedented 16,000 objections were lodged against the planning application – so many, that additional staff were recruited by North Kesteven District council to handle them. • More than 160 MPs rejected the industrialisation of dairy farming.

• 18th February 2011: Compassion writes to Defra, urging for a dedicated forum consisting of the government, dairy farmers, supermarkets and animal welfare and environmental groups to discuss the way forward for dairy farming in the UK.

• Compassion cites Nocton application to Secretary of State as a matter of national importance.

• 16th February 2011: Nocton Dairies withdraws planning application for ‘mega-dairy’.

A LOCAL AND NATIONAL CAMPAIGN

Emma Booker (right) coordinated the input of Atkins International – world-renowned environmental analysts. Together, they helped shape Compassion’s extraordinarily detailed – and watertight – 120-page objection to the Nocton Dairies proposal.

We worked closely to provide support and information to Nocton’s local campaign group CAFFO (Campaign Against Factory Farming Operations). Compassion is inspired by CAFFO’s sheer grit and determination. Of Compassion, CAFFO’s Deborah Wilson says: "It's not just advice, expertise and financial support that have been so invaluable to us; we've had a shoulder we can cry on when it all gets too much and I don't know how we would have coped without Compassion in World Farming taking such a leading role in this campaign."

WATCH THIS SPACE The Nocton mega dairy proposal has sparked an important debate about how we address the economic issues faced by many dairy farmers. Our work, moving forward, will be to engage with farmers, government, retailers, dairy processors, and other crucial stakeholders to construct a vision for the future of dairy farming that is more sustainable than thousands of exhausted cows in giant sheds. We will keep you posted on future events. In the meantime let’s celebrate and acknowledge this small step towards what will hopefully be a permanent victory for cows and dairy farmers in the UK.

BEHIND THE SCENES Compassion’s battle against Nocton was a very public affair covered widely in the media but we had the assistance of an expert team helping us to ensure that our case would hold up at the highest levels. Our legal team consisted of solicitor Alistair Henry (top) and barrister Robert Turral-Clarke (left), both experts in planning law and supporters of Compassion.

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Make no mistake, the campaign of Compassion and its allies has demonstrated the strength of feeling that exists in the UK. But we will remain vigilant, particularly as Nocton Dairies themselves have suggested that we ‘watch this space’.

THIS COW SCULPTURE IS MADE ENTIRELY FROM OLD FARM TOOLS BY THE CHILDREN OF NOCTON SCHOOL. A VERY SOCIAL CAMPAIGN As news broke on 16th February that Nocton Dairies had withdrawn their application, Compassion’s Facebook pages were alive with emotional reactions from supporters and fans of our campaign. Here is a selection of what people said on the day: “Wow that is amazing news! Thank God for that. Just imagine how many cows have been saved from a life of misery.” Nicki White “Well done guys! Wonderful work!” Lucy Foster “This is wonderful news! Well done CIWF. We must watch this space and make sure they don't try to sneak in by some hidden loop hole. But for now... HOORAY !” Marilyn Niebauer

“People Power!” Maria Dyer “Well done Compassion and all the others who helped prevent this.” Jacob Sanders “Hurrah!!! The campaigning worked! Thanks CIWF for the part that you played in putting a stop to the mega dairy :)” Suze Collins “This sends a potent message: Never underestimate the awesome collective power of human compassion at work!” Isabella Calabrese Schlögl

“That is the most brilliant news. But yes, let's make sure they, or someone else, don’t push something similar through in the future.” Paul Jenkins “A great result – power to the people!! :)” Jackie Hickey “So pleased. All the pressure, emails, letters, official lodged objections, phone calls... it just goes to show that these things really pay off. Xxx” Sarah Anne Williams-Baker

If you would like to join our growing vocal community on Facebook, please visit facebook.com/farm.animals Thank you to everyone who agrees that Cows Belong in Fields.

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ACTION

The long-awaited 2012 ban on barren battery cages is under threat – Compassion in World Farming is rallying campaigners across Europe to defend ‘The Big Move’ towards a more humane future for laying hens.

n 1999, animal welfare supporters across the European Union joined Compassion in celebrating a landmark victory for farm animals: following years of dedicated campaigning, the EU agreed to ban the use of barren battery cages for egg-laying hens. From 1 January 2012, none of the 360 million hens reared in the EU each year should be allowed to suffer in a barren battery cage. But now, with less than one year to go until it comes into force, this historic piece of legislation is under threat. Egg producers have had 12 years to prepare for this ban, yet some are still calling for delays and exemptions. This would mean hens continuing to suffer extreme physical and psychological stress in barren cages.

TAKE ACTION Please help us make this the last Easter in barren battery cages for European hens – send the enclosed campaign postcard to the President of the EU Agriculture Council, urging him to reject attempts by Poland or others to postpone or weaken the ban.

With the support of our coalition of animal welfare organisations, the European Network for Farm Animal Protection (ENFAP), Compassion is telling decision-makers across the EU that there can be no excuses, no exemptions and no delays. Our newly-launched defend The Big Move campaign has already mobilised tens of thousands of supporters to send emails to the UK, Italian, Spanish and Polish governments. This has helped ensure that Poland is currently the only EU member state officially calling for a postponement. But other countries could still follow suit, so we need all your support – and your family and friends – to ensure that The Big Move really happens – and on time!

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A EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN ENFAP is a coalition of animal welfare groups spanning 25 countries across Europe. This network has allowed The Big Move campaign to spread far beyond the UK, to member states including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Latvia, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Sweden. With your ongoing support, Compassion’s influence in Europe will be further strengthened in the coming years as we open new campaign offices in France, Italy and Poland.

Photo © Eileen Groome

EGG PRODUCERS HAVE HAD 12 YEARS TO GET READY FOR THE BARREN BATTERY CAGE BAN; EUROPE'S HENS DON'T DESERVE DELAYS OR EXCUSES.

ACTION

CAMPAIGNS THAT

MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE Michèle Danan, Compassion’s Public Affairs Manager, rounds up our campaign activities over the last five months – and the positive impact we are making together. Overall, more than 60,000 supporters have sent more than 70,000 emails to key politicians in the UK and Europe. Thank you everyone who has taken part so far.

SUCCESS! COWS BELONG IN FIELDS

CLONING = CRUELTY We continue to lobby the UK and the EU to ban the sale of meat or dairy from cloned animals or their descendants. Although the EU Parliament is so far standing firm against cloning, it is under pressure from EU Agriculture Ministers to compromise. Timeline: • August 2010: 50 David Cameron clones deliver petition to Downing Street • January 2011: 1,700 letters sent to MEPs to urge their support for the ban • TODAY: EU talks continue, ongoing support needed.

The day that Nocton Dairies withdrew their application for a mega-dairy intended to house 3,770 cows indoors was a fantastic day for cows! See page 6 for the full story.

The nice thing about teamwork is that you always have others on your side.

Margaret Carty, author

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In February 2011, Compassion hears that New Zealand’s leading research centre has abandoned its cloning research as so many cloned farm animals were suffering and dying. How much more proof do we need to persuade the UK government that cloning must be stopped NOW? We still really need your help on this campaign. To take action online, please go to ciwf.org.uk/cloningmep

DEFEND THE BIG MOVE

PETITION

Barren Battery Cage Ban 2012

This campaign has so far made a major difference to the positions of the UK and other EU governments in the bid to ensure that this landmark legislation prevails. With your help we have collected over 18,500 petition signatures urging the UK Department of Environment, Food Will anyone BARREN BATTE RY CAGES get us out and Rural Affairs (Defra) THE BAN STARTS of here? to support the ban in JAN 2012 full. Compassion has officially requested a meeting with Defra Minister Caroline Yes, more than Spelman in order to deliver ssion 20,000 Compa these signatures. re e al ady To take action online, please visit thebigmove.org and see page 8 for our campaign story and the difference you can help make in Europe.

INHUMANE SLAUGHTER IN SOUTH KOREA

activists ar working on it

Our aim is to highlight the terrible welfare problems of meat chickens due to fast growth rates.

The deeper issue behind this disturbing story is international trade. This is designed to penalise countries financially if they vaccinate for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). This is why there is often a knee-jerk reaction of mass killing of farm animals with disastrous consequences for animal welfare. The humane way to deal with FMD is to vaccinate on a preventative basis.

Timeline:

• 7th February 2011: Petition with 12,500 signatures from Germany and the UK handed to EU Commissioner John Dalli.

• 7th January 2011: Reports of live burial of pigs due to Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak

THE DEFEND

E BIG MOV

PETITION WELFARE OF MEAT CHICKENS

• Commissioner subsequently commits to taking proper account of the European Food Safety Authority’s scientific opinion. • Official EU reaction is due in 2012.

• 10th January: Compassion responds with 6,000 letters to the South Korean Ambassador • 11th January: Vaccinations sought and bought by Korean authorities • 1 week later: Authorities claim that in future all animals will be destroyed humanely

Compassion’s Peter Stevenson (right) hands over 12,500 signatures to improve chicken welfare to Commissioner Dalli (centre).

We believe that factory farming is the biggest cause of animal cruelty on the planet. Tackling cruelty on such a scale needs something remarkable.You. Together, we are taking step after step towards a more humane and sustainable world. Thank you for your help.

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INSIGHT

ARE WE ALWAYS WHAT WE EAT? WHY HIGHER WELFARE FOOD IS GOOD FOR ANIMALS AND BETTER FOR US Whether it’s free-range or organic, we all know that choosing ‘ethically’ produced meat and dairy can benefit farm animals. But what about the health benefits for those of us that consume these products – a question that Compassion supporters often ask. Is it a case of better for animals, good for people? Here is some food for thought...

ORGANIC MILK – THE BENEFITS OF PASTURE Dairy cows that graze on pasture generally live healthier and longer lives. Thankfully, these are the conditions required by law for organically-farmed dairy cows. In January this year, a new study by Newcastle University confirmed that organic supermarket milk can contain higher levels of nutritionally beneficial fatty acids, including Omega-3, compared with ‘ordinary’ milk. This study cites the fact that organic farming methods encourage grazing on red and white clover, which appears to alter the fatty acid intake and composition of milk.

c By choosing organic milk, you can cut saturated fats by 30-50 percent and still get the same intake of beneficial fatty acids. d

chickens. In organic systems, chickens are also free-range and the animals are even slower growing with even more space allocated to each bird. Organic chickens generally grow at around half the rate of intensive chickens. One study compared the protein and fat content of organic and intensive chickens. Organic chickens were found to have 25% less fat than intensively reared chickens while intensively farmed chickens contained nearly 40% more fat than protein.

FREE-RANGE CHICKEN – SPACE TO THRIVE

The story doesn’t just end at the fat content either. Intensive production depends on the use of antibiotics. The widespread use of antibiotics in intensive poultry farming increases the risk of people suffering from antibiotic-resistant infections. Although the over-use of antibiotics in human medicine is the major cause of the current problems, public-health experts are agreed that the over-use and misuse of antibiotics in intensive animal production is also an important factor.

Free-range chickens are given continuous access to an outdoor range during the daytime and sheds where they are housed at night. Free-range chickens also generally grow more slowly than intensively-farmed

According to The Lance Armstrong Foundation, purchasing organic chicken can ensure that you and your family are not ingesting unnecessary antibiotics that may lead to antibiotic-resistant infections.

In the UK, the cost of choosing organic milk over standard milk is likely to be around 15 pence per pint. The impact on animal welfare can be significant and it looks increasingly certain that there is a meaningful benefit to human health too.

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Gillian Butler, Study Leader Newcastle University

For people who consume dairy or meat, this brief article highlights some of the positive health impacts of buying ethically produced meat and dairy products. Compassion is focussed on ending factory farming because it is the biggest cause of animal cruelty on the planet. However the more we look, the more we are starting to understand the detrimental impact of factory farming on people.

ORGANIC CHICKENS CAN HAVE 25% LESS FAT THAN INTENSIVELY REARED CHICKENS

Compassion is calling for a total re-think of factory farming policy. By daring to dream of an end to such wide-scale cruelty, we believe that the impact on human health may also be profound. Without factory farming we would no longer need to feed half the world’s antibiotics to farm animals. With one billion overweight people and another billion starving, imagine how much better off our species will be when we all consume a more balanced diet with more of the world’s crops helping feed our growing population. Compassion believes in a world without factory farming. With your support, we can make it a reality.

WE ARE WHAT WE EAT HELPS RETAILERS PROMOTE HIGH WELFARE Much of our work with food businesses hinges on building a strong commercial case for higher-welfare products. While the majority of consumers empathise with animal welfare, it can easily become a distant or secondary consideration when faced with a multitude of choices, labels and pressure to stay within the weekly shopping budget. We therefore need to find other arguments to bring high-welfare products back to the front of consumers’ minds. Recent research conducted by Compassion indicates that ‘health’ resonates powerfully when talking about higher-welfare food – it’s easy to make the link between better quality meat, eggs and milk and the health benefits for us. In other words, ‘we are what we eat’ is a powerful message. Compassion’s Food Business team has been exploring this idea with some of the largest food companies in Europe, many of which are interested in taking it further. Watch this space.

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INSIGHT

WHAT PRICE FACTORY FARMING ?

Photo © Cameron McEwan / Neo

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World food prices surged to a new peak early in 2011, raising supermarket prices and putting pressure on our wallets. Wheat prices alone have doubled since June last year. This price rise is contributing to a continued increase in the number of people in the developing world who go to bed hungry at night. Why are food prices so volatile? How does all of this relate to factory farming?

n many developed countries, rising food prices are an inconvenience for many, and much more significant for those on low incomes. In poorer developing countries, price rises of staple foods can be catastrophic. Not only do people go hungry, the impacts can be felt for a generation. The 2008 food price rise saw a big increase in the number of malnourished children, with resulting damage to their longer term physiological and mental development. WHAT AFFECTS THE WORLD’S FOOD PRICES?

Many factors contribute to recent rises in the price of food. Droughts and floods have devastated some harvests and according to the World Development Movement, banks, hedge funds and pension funds can also have a drastic impact. Betting on food prices in the financial markets can cause drastic price swings in staple foods such as wheat, maize and soy. Much of the world’s grain harvest now goes into biofuel production in attempts to make energy and transport “greener”. Finally, as countries develop and urban middle classes grow, there is increasing demand from countries (such as China) for more food in general and more animal products in particular.

Keeping animals indoors, often in barren and crowded sheds, and feeding them crops that people could eat simply does not make sense in a world wracked with poverty and hunger. It takes 20kg of feed to produce 1kg of edible beef, over 7kg of feed for 1kg of edible pork and 4.5kg for 1kg of edible chicken.

WHY THE WORLD NEEDS COMPASSION IN WORLD FARMING Climate change, speculation and demographics may all be playing a part in driving up world food prices but a major factor is the increase in meat and dairy consumption fuelled by factory farming with its insatiable demand for cereals and soya. Early action to tackle this trend could yield immediate tangible benefits for everyone, including the world’s poorest. Now that we have formal ‘liaison status’ with the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Compassion is today in a stronger position than ever to share our vision of a world that has moved ‘beyond factory farming’. This vision has never been so urgent – factory farming represents the biggest cause of animal cruelty on the planet and is now causing untold misery to millions of the world’s poorest people.

This last factor is particularly crucial to the rising cost of food. FACTORY FARMING: AT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM Currently over a third of all cereals grown in the world are used to feed animals rather than people. Over 90% of soya is grown primarily to supply the animal feed sector. If we could reduce the demand from the animal feed sector, then common sense – and scientific evidence – tells us there would be an increase in availability of wheat, maize and soy for humanity’s needs.

Over half of the world’s pigs and over two thirds of poultry are now factory farmed. These intensively farmed animals are reared in systems that are dependent on cereal and soya feeds for fast growth and high yield. Although dairy cows, being ruminants, are naturally adapted to grazing and eating grasses, they are now being bred to be more dependent on cereal and soya feeds too, with less and less reliance on grazing – all in order to increase milk yields. Even in the UK, Compassion has been campaigning against plans for thousands of cows to be kept with minimal or no access to grass (see page 6 for an update on our campaign).

As individuals, we can also play our part by reducing our own meat and dairy consumption and buying only higher welfare organic or free-range products.

With your support, we will use every argument available to bring about a global change in the way we feed our species. The lives of billions of animals and people hang in the balance.

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ACTION

HIGHER WELFARE

IN HIGHER EDUCATION The Compassion in World Farming Food Business team is working closely with universities and catering companies around the UK to increase the uptake of higher welfare food sold on campus.

Compass Group to provide value for money, higher welfare choices. Oxford Brookes was also the venue for Compassion’s very first University Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards in November 2010. Through this inaugural event, Compassion has been able to recognise the efforts of 17 institutions for their higher welfare purchasing decisions.

THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMPASSIONATE CONSUMERS According to a recent survey by the National Union of Students, UK students are prepared to boycott a range of products, especially non-fair trade products and those that are not freerange (factory farmed chicken and battery cage eggs in particular). Ethics and animal welfare go hand-in-hand for university students, but given the current economic climate, so does price. HIGHER WELFARE AT NO EXTRA COST The University of Winchester has developed an innovative approach by maintaining free-range, or higher welfare, as the minimum standard across eggs, chicken, dairy and pork products – without raising prices. The key is to balance both portion size and the cuts of meat in each dish and increase the amount of vegetables per meal. This approach arguably provides a healthier offering for students and a better deal for farm animals. Oxford Brookes University has also championed higher welfare food and has teamed up with suppliers Chartwells and

COMPASSION AT THE FOREFRONT OF FOOD BUSINESS

Over 26,000 animals are set to benefit each year because of the combined commitments of our award winning universities

The University awards also provided an important opportunity for Compassion to link up with more forward-thinking universities and global caterers such as Compass Group and Sodexo. We aim to celebrate even more ‘Good Universities’ who are at the forefront of supporting higher welfare food in the future. In years to come, our aim is that all further and higher education establishments will provide students with affordable, healthier and above all, higher welfare food. Your continued support will enable this work to continue. Thank you for helping us make higher welfare food the standard, not the exception.

IS YOUR LOCAL UNIVERSITY HIGH WELFARE? To date, Compassion has awarded the following institutions for their decisions to sell higher welfare food: Good Egg Award Winners: Eton College • Oxford Brookes University • Amersham & Wycombe College • Imperial College University of Sussex • London School of Economics • University of Winchester • University of Portsmouth • Kingston University Birkbeck College • Roehampton University • Middlesex University • Farnborough College • International Students House City University • University of Westminster • Queen Mary University • University College London • Uxbridge College Royal Veterinary College • Royal Holloway University • Cass Business School • University of Greenwich • Goldsmiths College Good Chicken Award Winners: University of Portsmouth • University of Winchester • Oxford Brookes University

*The Student Lifestyle Report, 2010, NUS Services Ltd.

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INSPIRATION

– A VOICE OF OPTIMISM –

MARY MEAD Thoughts from a day spent with 2008 Farmer of the Year and founder of Yeo Valley Organic

Friesian cow model – the breed that makes up her two milking herds.

ver recent months, Compassion has become increasingly concerned by the trend towards further intensification of dairy farming, both here in the UK and further afield. We believe that confining pasture animals indoors for the majority of their lives in so called ‘mega-dairies’ breaks the connection between livestock farming and the land. It is extremely refreshing therefore to meet leading farmers such as Mary Mead who have an alternative vision for the future of the dairy industry.

GROWING PAINS I start by asking about her first experiences with farming. “I was very naïve, but my husband had been immersed in farming from a small child and he taught me so much. We started with egg production, buying day-old chicks, paid for with our wedding present money. After we moved to the farm, we committed ourselves to the serious business of milk production, starting with 35 cows. Grass grows well in this area and the dairy business gradually expanded over the years.”

It’s a typical spring day as I travel along the winding Mendips roads to meet award-winning organic dairy farmer Mary Mead and I’m greeted on arrival with a picturesque view of the sun reflecting off the lake bordering much of her farmland.

So was it the rural idyll that many might imagine? “Not at all! It was extraordinarily hard work. Fifty years ago, we had to do so much ourselves – we’d farm in the day and build sheds at night. Thankfully my husband had tremendous vision and physical energy.” The work has clearly paid off – Mary now farms over 400 cows with youngstock, beef and sheep across 1,200 acres of land.

I can see why you would choose to live here. Mary has farmed here for five decades and her late husband’s family can trace its farming roots in the area back to the 1400s. Mary welcomes me through to her study, home to volumes of weighty cow breed books and a British

Mary Mead speaks to Richard Brooks, Compassion’s Director of Marketing

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FARMING IS ABOUT PEOPLE FIRST AND FOREMOST... YOU NEED A VISION, AND THE DETERMINATION AND KNOWLEDGE TO GET THINGS DONE.

BEST IN BREED

THE FUTURE FOR DAIRY FARMING

As we start to talk more generally about farming, Mary can’t help but come back to the issue of breed – something that she’s clearly passionate about. Why British Friesian in particular though, I ask? “We have heavy land and a high rainfall, and the British Friesian breed, with its strong legs and feet, has proved the ideal grazing animal. It was the obvious choice for us – we’ve never considered anything else! Their fertility is also particularly good.” Another advantage of Mary’s Friesian herd is the fact that the male calves can be profitably reared for beef off grass, avoiding the problems of unwanted male dairy calves that can be faced by farmers of animals that have been bred exclusively for high milk yields.

“Politicians say that they are concerned about feeding a growing population but dairying is very capital intensive. The threat of a change to CAP payments and the effect that quota removal will have makes for uncertainty. There are so many unknowns in farming. How can you budget accurately if you don’t know what your costs are going to be? Furthermore since the demise of the milk marketing board, the industry has become fragmented with the result that margins have been squeezed so that many farms are now under invested. It is precisely because of this uncertainty that my husband felt we should be utilising our own milk and the idea of yogurt from Yeo Valley was born.” Despite her concerns, Mary is positive about the outlook for UK dairy farming. “We have the right climate in the UK, particularly in the West Country, with lots of rain to maximise pasture growth and reduce the costs of production.”

And it’s not just breed that drives Mary. Her high welfare farm finally finished conversion to organic production with the opening of the Holt farm garden, meaning that no artificial fertilisers or pesticides are now used. But it’s not altruism alone that drove the change: “If the business case isn’t there, it simply isn’t feasible. “Thankfully,” she continues, “the commercial case stacks up. Yields have dropped slightly but are rising again as the cattle get used to a diet higher in forage. The cost of traditional oil-based fertilisers and pesticides is increasing for conventional farmers, improving our relative cost effectiveness.” With an ongoing trend towards rising global oil and grain prices, Mary believes there may even come a time when organic production is simply more cost effective than more intensive, high input systems. “In any event it is a truly more sustainable system.”

What seems to come through when speaking with Mary is the need to farm with the land, adapting approach and style to suit the conditions that nature has created. Mary is no starry-eyed idealist; she is keen to remind me that any system must be profitable as well as ethical or sustainable. However, I am struck once more by the contrast of Mary’s pragmatic long-term view with those who argue in favour of the short term techno-fix presented by factory farming. OUT AND ABOUT Before I leave, I get the opportunity to see the fabled British Friesian herd. The unmistakably rich smell of silage lingers in the air, and it is great to see the animals in their element. I’m inspired by Mary’s knowledge and enthusiasm, which make her such a good advocate for her industry (Mary also opens the farm up for school visits).

So what’s her secret for success? “Farming is about people first and foremost”, she says. “You need a vision, and the determination and knowledge to get things done. You’ve also got to be open-minded and do your research. The secret of farming lies in the soil and before we went organic, we took further advice and invested in an aerator for our heavy clay-rich land. This has helped tremendously.”

We need more people like her to help ensure a humane, environmentally sustainable and profitable dairy industry, both for us and for future generations.

Compassion and its work with food companies. Compassion’s Food Business team works closely with leading supermarkets, manufacturers and food service companies to help them understand the complexities of the debate, work in positive partnership with farmers like Mary and help consumers to make positive choices at the till.

ciwf.org

INSPIRATION

– BOOK REVIEW – VET ON CALL: MY FIRST YEAR AS AN OUT-OF-HOURS-VET By Marc Abraham Published by Ebury Press, 2011 RRP £6.99 (paperback) Special discount for Compassion supporters: to receive a 35% discount, please quote CIWF (code will expire on 31st May 2011) when ordering online from rbooks.co.uk TV vet, Marc Abraham, is a dedicated celebrity supporter of Compassion in World Farming. He co-presented our Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards in 2010 and has given his heartfelt support to our Cows Belong in Fields campaign through media interviews and attending our Westminister event that persuaded MPs to take action against mega dairies in the UK. Marc regularly appears on BBC Breakfast to give veterinary advice, is ITV’s This Morning’s resident vet and has been voted the UK’s favourite vet by the British public.

ANIMAL FACTORY

This is Marc’s first book, which is available to Compassion supporters at a discount price, and is a fascinating account of how he became a vet and the stories that still make him laugh and cry.

By David Kirby Published by St Martin’s Press ISBN-10: 0312380585 RRP £18.99 (hardback) animalfactorybook.com

Marc Abraham writes guilelessly about his early mistakes, and the terror and joy involved in saving an animal’s life. His memoir is a heart-warming, compelling and thoroughly entertaining look at the life of a vet on call.

Animal Factory is an important book which follows the individual stories of protest by families and communities in the USA whose lives were utterly changed by the arrival of neighbouring factory farms. A true story of both despair and hope, it details the terrible price paid by animals, people and the environment in the face of unregulated and powerful commercial and political interests. As the author, investigative journalist David Kirby, says: “Meat industry wealth is amassed at the cost of animal misery.” The issues of confinement of animals, massive pollution and health problems from contaminated air, land, water and food are brought to life in the stories of the brave campaigners. Animal Factory gives yet more compelling evidence, if it were needed, that there is no such thing as cheap meat and milk. This is a vital read for anyone who thinks otherwise.

ciwf.org

INSPIRATION

A GIFT IN MEMORY Many people choose to make a donation to Compassion in World Farming to honour the life of someone who cared about farm animals during their lifetime.

Last October, our very own fundraiser Lucy Williams sadly passed away after a long illness. Lucy’s warmth, professionalism and passion for the cause remain an inspiration to all of us here at Compassion. Before she died, Lucy asked that donations be made to Compassion in lieu of flowers. Her family and friends raised an incredible £3,136 in Lucy’s name, every penny of which is now being used to improve the lives of farm animals. Giving a gift to Compassion in memory of a loved one is something anyone can do. Each gift is a positive way to honour and remember a life whilst funding our vital work to end the suffering of farm animals around the world.

COMPASSIONATE TRIBUTE FUNDS A Compassionate Tribute Fund is another very special way to celebrate the life of someone you treasure. It is a permanent and growing tribute that acts as a focus for friends and family to record memories of that person whilst raising money for Compassion’s work in their honour. For more information about giving a gift in memory or about setting up a Compassionate Tribute Fund, please telephone our legacy team on 01483 521 953 during office hours or visit ciwf.org/inmemory

ciwf.org

INTRODUCING LOCAL GROUP

In trying to find new ways to promote farm animal welfare, Compassion supporters Anna, Sandra and Stu started up a local group, Compassionate Dorset, in 2009. Since then, they’ve been actively spreading Compassion’s message around Dorset by organising ‘Big Lunch’ picnics and ‘Come Dine with Me’-style dinner parties.

We've had a great response from the public who do care about farm animal welfare but would just like more information about farm anim al welfare issues. Our main aim is to raise awareness and show people how they can make a real difference, even just by their food shopping choices. We feel it's really importa nt to get Compassion's message to as wide an audience as possible, so we send press releases to local press, and also use the internet – we have over 400 followers on Twitter – follo w us on @Compassionately

Meet Compassiona te Dorset – Catherin e, Becky, Anna, Stu an d Christine

COMPASSION & FAS

HION

Compassionate Dorset also design and print their own, inspiring t-shirts to promote farm animal we lfare and raise funds for Compassion . Originally worn to promote their events, the t-shirts were fea tured in February 2011’s issue of glossy magazine, Cosmopolitan. You can buy the t-shirts direct fro m Compassionate Dorset at compassionatedorset.co.u k and raise money for Compass ion at the same time.

Y R IA D R U O Y R O F S E T A D mals, we have some exciting If you fancy getting active for farm ani the UK for you to join in. Or, if you fundraising events taking place around your sofa, why not sponsor some on ing sitt ile wh nce ere diff a ke ma to prefer of our summer fundraisers? LONDON MARATHON Sunday 17 April

Sunday 17 April Join our new Change for Change fundraiser in a town near you. We need you to help us drive change for farm animals by raising funds and awareness for our DEFEND THE BIG MOVE campaign in your local area. Get in touch to find out how you can get involved or visit ciwf.org/changeforchange

THE LONDON SUPERHERO RUN

Sunday 15 May

Be a farm animal hero an d join Compassion fundraisers as they raise money in this fun, spon sored 5km run in London. Or supp ort our first superhero runner Sarah Francis at doitforcharity.com/SF rancis

lead this Taking the fundraising ate Dorset summer is Compassion , who is member, Sandra Hood London running the legendary eer her ch d an marathon. Come help her or y on with us on the da assion mp raise funds in aid of Co by visiting hood justgiving.com/sandra

WALK WITH COMPASSION

Saturday 7 May

Getting sponsored to sta mp out factory farming couldn’t be easier! Take part in our 10km walking challenge across the Su rrey downs or create an event to su it you. Visit ciwf.org/walk for a fre e information pack. Alternatively, you can tak e the easier route by sponsorin g Team Compassion as they Wa lk with Compassion across the South Downs at justgiving.com/team compassion

SKY DIVE WITH COMPASSION June

Our longest serving Compassion trustee, Jeremy Hayward, worked personally with our founder Peter Roberts many years ago. Jeremy is so passionate about The Big Move campaign, he is going to ‘fall off his perch’ in a sky dive this June to raise money for us (and his local charity White Eagle Lodge). Please show your support by sponsoring Jeremy’s two mile high leap on justgiving.com/jeremyskydive

GET IN TOUCH For more information about any of these events, Local Groups near you or to share your fundraising ideas, contact Lisa in Supporter Services on: Tel: 01483 521 953 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday) Email: supporters@ciwf.org Visit: ciwf.org/FUN

THANK YOU

WE’RE CROSSING OUT FACTORY FARMING

ONE CRUELTY AT A TIME THE VEAL CRATE After 30 years of public and political campaigning to ban the notorious veal crate, Compassion has helped 5 million calves a year have a life worth living – in the UK and across Europe.

THE SOW STALL Compassion’s investigations and lobbying have helped to ensure that all of Europe’s 14 million sows will no longer be confined in narrow stalls for most of their adult life from 2013.

THE MEGA DAIRY In February 2011, our ‘Cows Belong in Fields’ campaigners celebrated as over 3,700 cows were spared from becoming the UK’s – and Europe’s – first ever indoor mega herd.

LET’S CROSS OUT ALL CRUELTY, FOR GOOD THE BARREN BATTERY CAGE The European ban on barren battery cages is due to take effect on 1st January 2012. But some EU countries and producers still want the ban delayed. Please help us keep up the pressure to improve the welfare of Europe’s egg laying hens.

TURNING BACK THE TIDE Your ongoing support for Compassion will help keep the debate about food and farm animal welfare alive – together we must prevent the spread of intensive factory farming worldwide.

ILLEGAL CRUELTY Despite winning an EU-wide ban to end the routine tail docking and tooth clipping of piglets, this law is still not being enforced. Your continued support will enable us to keep investigating and exposing the illegal cruelty common in many of Europe’s pig farms.

A regular monthly gift makes a world of difference to what we can achieve for farm animals. To set up a Direct Debit, please call Supporter Services on 0800 999 0101 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday) or visit ciwf.org/donate

THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO CROSS OUT FACTORY FARMING. Compassion in World Farming, River Court, Mill Lane, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1EZ, UK Tel +44 (0) 1483 521 953 Email supporters@ciwf.org Web ciwf.org Compassion in World Farming is a registered charity (England), registered number 1095050.