Farm Animal Voice 188

Issue 188 – Summer 2013

EUROPE IS SHAMED Undercover investigation uncovers the truth

RAW

United we stand

COMPASSION IN THE USA

Celebrating higher welfare values

YOU ARE HELPING US TO END FACTORY FARMING CRUELTY. THANK YOU.

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FARM ANIMAL VOICE CONTENTS

UPDATE 4 News Farm animal welfare and updates from around the world 16 Live Transport Campaigning to stop this cruel trade in its tracks INSIGHT 6 Challenging for Change No farm animal should be kept in a cage INSPIRATION 20 Compassion in the USA Farm animal welfare changes are in the air

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ACTION 12 Raw United we stand against factory farming 18 Europe’s Cows Need You Campaigning for dairy cows to be legally protected 22 Get in Touch!

Farm animals need you!

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Front cover photograph © Alamy Editor Richard Brooks Production manager Sarah Bryan Design Neo – weareneo.com 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

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FEATURE STORY 8 PIGS INVESTIGATION Europe wakes up to Compassion in action

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I’m a person who likes to get things done and if there is a charity that embodies that approach, it is Compassion in World Farming.

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Sue Warman, supporter Welcome to the latest issue of Farm Animal Voice. I hope, after reading about our latest news and campaign updates, you feel proud – because without you, Compassion would not be able to tackle factory farming cruelty.

So, on behalf of the millions whose lives you are changing for the better, thank you for being the voice for all farm animals.

Philip Lymbery Chief Executive

My personal blog is available at: acompassionateworld.org or you can follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/philip_ciwf

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EUROPE TAKE NOTE: CLEAR, HONEST LABELLING MATTERS As consumers, we do not have enough information about what we are buying. On your behalf, Compassion is campaigning for clear, honest labelling on all meat and dairy products across Europe. We want all labels to be simple, clear and to give consumers the information they most want to know: ‘How was this animal kept?’

CLEAR LABELS DO LEAD TO CHANGE Egg labelling is an excellent example of how clear method of production labelling can lead to higher welfare products being purchased. Egg labelling by method of production came into place across the EU in 2004. In the UK alone, cage-free egg production increased from 31% in 2003 to 51% in 2011.

In 2012/13, the Labelling Matters Campaign, in which Compassion plays a central role, commissioned independent research in the UK, France and the Czech Republic.

The results were unequivocal: consumers want clear, objective method of production labelling of meat and dairy products and the vast majority consider animal welfare an important factor when deciding which meat and dairy products to buy.

“Animal welfare is a societal concern that appeals to a wide public...

Animal welfare is also a consumer concern...[yet] consumers in general are not empowered to respond to higher animal welfare standards.”

Method of production labelling would empower consumers to respond to higher welfare standards and there are signs that the EU Commission is starting to listen.

UK GOVERNMENT OPPOSITION TO CLEAR LABELLING The UK government currently opposes the change. In letters to the Labelling Matters Campaign, Farming Minister, David Heath, has suggested that method of production labelling would be too costly, create too much red tape, and that consumers wouldn’t want it anyway.

Defra is also ignoring the advice of its own Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC). FAWC’s report on Economics and Farm Animal Welfare (December 2011) concluded that: “Government should promote clearer information of welfare provenance of all products according to standard definitions, building on the successful example of eggs.”

In the UK, 83% of consumers responded that method of production, based on the egg model, should definitely or probably be extended to all meat and dairy products.

Compassion’s research provides hard evidence that consumers want clear, objective labelling, and supports our call for method of production labelling, based on the egg model, to be extended to all meat and dairy products sold in the EU.

So, what are the UK government and the European Commission saying about it? The Commission, in its European Union Strategy for the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2012-2015, admits:

With your support, our campaign will continue until all consumers are able to make informed choices about the food they buy. Thank you.

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THANK YOU The horse meat scandal has highlighted the need for greater transparency in our food chain.

In the wake of the scandal, we have urged the new European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, Dr Tonio Borg, to propose urgently needed labelling legislation. Thank you for signing our petition, Dr Borg will find it difficult to ignore your calls for action.

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HUGH BACKS CAMPAIGN

EUROPE RECOGNISES THE NEED FOR FISH WELFARE LAWS

Compassion is delighted to be part of a new alliance between a group of 25 NGOs including Oxfam, WWF and Friends of the Earth.

Earlier this year, the European Parliament adopted an amendment – championed

by Compassion in World Farming – to the proposed Regulation on the Common Fisheries Policy.

FOR FAIRER, HEALTHIER LIFE

Eating Better is calling on the public to adopt diets that are better for us and the planet, by eating a greater variety of plant-based foods and less meat.

In eating less, but better quality meat, we are supporting farming that produces meat in ways that benefit the environment and animal welfare.

There is growing expert consensus that a shift to more plant-based diets and eating less meat in high-consuming countries such as the UK can help cut heart disease, strokes and some cancers, as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions.

This important amendment means that Member States are required to address animal welfare by law.

This is a huge achievement which could impact on Europe’s millions of fish that are farmed in the EU every year.

Celebrity chef and Eating Better supporter, Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall, says: “It’s right for our health, right for the planet and only fair to the millions of farm animals we raise for food.”

CLEAR LABELLING AGREED FOR FISH At the beginning of June 2013, the EU agreed to introduce mandatory ‘method of catch’ labelling on all fish products. Any product containing fish must contain information on how the fish was farmed or caught, for example, linecaught or trawled.

This is significant news and represents a huge step forward for the Labelling Matters Campaign. Although this does not inform consumers about the fish’s welfare, it will give consumers information about the way their fish is caught and sets a precedent for clearer labelling of other animal products.

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INSIGHT

NO FARM ANIMAL SHOULD BE KEPT IN A CAGE If a single image had to sum up factory farming, it might be the barren cage. For decades, cages have been used to control and confine farm animals, condemning them to a miserable life.

This ongoing fight against cages is integral to our work.

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t least 400 million farm animals in the EU are confined in cages for all or most of their lives.

The problem is huge, but Compassion is making real progress. We engage with food companies and farmers to encourage better practice; we use our investigations and research to raise public awareness and lobby for change. None of this would be possible without your commitment and support.

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Compassion has proved it can be done, but must have ongoing support.

I am proud to be a tiny part of this wonderful organisation.

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Mrs Veronica Lester, supporter

BA RR EN BATT ER

Y C AG ES

2012 B A N N E D S IN C E CAMPAIGNING AGAINST THE CAGE Together, we campaigned long and hard for the EU-wide ban on barren battery cages for hens, which finally came into force on 1 January 2012, on time and uncompromised. Yet despite having had more than 12 years to prepare, 14 European countries still had hens in illegal cages on the day the ban came into force.

Thanks to your support, Compassion’s campaigns have already seen the beginning of the end for factory farm cages in the European Union: the veal crate has been eradicated; the barren battery cage is illegal; and sows are no longer allowed to be permanently confined behind bars.

We are delighted to report that thanks to your commitment and support, the EU Commission has succumbed to pressure and is finally taking the two remaining countries, Italy and Greece, to the Court of Justice over the failure to correctly implement the ban. This could now be the end of the barren battery cage in Europe.

Campaigning by Compassion has also sounded the death knell for the sow stall – another restrictive, barren cage used in factory farming.

SO W STAL LS

B A N N E D S IN C E

2013

From 1st January 2013, keeping pregnant sows permanently in cages is illegal.

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THERE IS STILL SO MUCH MORE TO BE DONE Cages are systemic within factory farming; for laying hens, ducks used for foie gras production, farrowing sows; and for rabbits. Shockingly, rabbits have no species-specific legislation to protect their welfare.

Our campaign against the sow stall is ongoing and you can follow our progress on pages 8-11. Legislative change can be a slow process so, alongside this work, we also engage directly with the people with the power to make more immediate changes for the better – large food companies.

Last year, Compassion launched the Rabbit Revolution campaign to expose the true nature of rabbit farming.

THE POWER OF THE MARKET In 2007, Compassion launched a brand new initiative, engaging with global food companies and challenging them to accept responsibility for the welfare of animals in their supply chains. After months of meetings and dialogue with companies we launched our Good Egg Awards to recognise those organisations committed to selling or using only cage-free eggs. At the time, we never imagined just how impactful this initiative would be.

Our harrowing investigation showed rabbits, confined and overcrowded in barren battery cages. In addition, a report by the European Food Safety Authority backed up our investigation, highlighting massive antibiotic use and high mortality rates. Our campaign revealed a real lack of alternative farming systems for rabbits, with many believing there is ‘no other option’ than inhumane cages.

This breakthrough project inspired global brand, Unilever, to source only ‘cage-free’ eggs for its entire dressings range across Europe, including its market-leading Hellmann’s Mayonnaise. This single act caused a ripple effect across the market; major UK supermarkets followed suit on their own-label mayonnaise, followed by other European brands. At the last count, we estimate that 30 million hens are set to benefit each year because of the policies of our award-winning companies.

And the good news doesn’t stop there. Unilever has also made a further commitment to moving to 100% cagefree eggs on all of its products, including Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Amora and Calvé mayonnaises globally by 2020.

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Hellmann’s (USA, Canada)

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Heinz (GB), Asda (GB), Leisieur (France)

IN THE EU, RAB BITS HAV E NO WEL FAR E LAW S TO PROTEC T THE M.

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Tesco (GB), Coop Italia (Italy)

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But at Compassion, we will always find an alternative to cruelty. So we have embarked on a project looking at best (and worst) practice examples of rabbit farming across Europe. Bringing this research together will allow us to present a credible voice to the rabbit farming industry.

We believe there can be change for the better in rabbit farming, and soon we will have the evidence to prove it.

Calvé (Spain)

2008

Hellman’s (GB) Sainsbury’s (GB) Calvé (Italy) Calvé (France) Amora (France)

And then the cycle of challenging for legislation and influencing the market will begin again. We hope you will be by our side – as always we need your support. Thank you.

The “Ripple Effect” of companies adopting cage-free eggs in mayonnaise shows how European Good Egg Winners in 2008 influenced a shift in the global market.

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COMPASSION’S LATEST INVESTIGATIONS CAPTURED SOME OF THE MOST APPALLING WELFARE CONDITIONS WE HAVE EVER SEEN. 8

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PIG CRUELTY EUROPE IS SHAMED In May and June of this year, Compassion released the findings of our latest investigation into the plight of pigs in Europe. We exposed some of the most appalling welfare conditions our investigators had ever seen.

Because of YOUR support, this evidence is now being used to campaign for lasting change across an entire continent.

Pain and suffering in Italy, Spain and Ireland In Italy, we found every single

one of the 11 farms visited by our investigators was blatantly flouting the EU Pigs Directive – a piece of legislation designed to protect the welfare of more than 250 million pigs farmed in the EU each year.

In particular, we found pigs living in completely barren environments, being housed on bare concrete with nothing to satisfy their inquisitive minds. Pigs with tails routinely docked – a painful mutilation used to reduce tail-biting.

Tail-biting can occur when pigs are forced to live in barren conditions. We also found pigs left sick or injured – on one farm, a pig so severely wounded from fighting, died.

In Spain, we found pigs in

squalid and barren conditions with no materials such as straw, for comfort or foraging. We found evidence to suggest that pigs are often kept confined inside sow stalls for long periods of time – despite legislation that prohibits sow stalls beyond the first four weeks of pregnancy.

And in all the farms we visited, most of the pigs had had their tails docked – almost certainly without pain relief – despite EU rules forbidding routine tail-docking. As in Italy, we discovered dead pigs at some of the farms we visited, this time left in bins at the farm gate.

We have received a report that Spain is now 100% compliant on the sow stall ban. We will be looking into this in detail and will keep you informed once reports are confirmed.

In Ireland, our findings

were worse than we could have imagined. Compassion’s investigators identified multiple levels of cruelty, neglect and systemic non-compliance with the law. As one of our investigators said: “Never have I seen pigs so dirty, covered in their own excrement and pens so filthy. Some pens were covered in faeces and the pigs had nowhere to escape from it.”

Compassion has since heard reports that in response to our investigative evidence, the Irish government is to launch its own enquiry into this cruelty.

CONTINUED OVERLEAF »

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO TAKE ACTION So far, Compassion’s petition to end the illegal suffering of Europe’s pigs has gathered more than 205,133 signatures! The petition closes in March 2014, so if you haven’t done so already, please sign it at ciwf.org/favpigs – and pass it on to friends and family too!

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go a colori

ACTION

THOUSANDS PETITION FOR AN END TO ILLEGAL CRUELTY Following our investigations, Compassion launched an EU-wide campaign calling on all 27 EU Agriculture Ministers to ensure that Europe’s pigs are protected.

At the time of writing, an incredible 205,133 people across Europe have signed our petition. Here are some of the events that took place as part of this truly international, multi-media campaign.

sonodegno Sostieni lʼallevamento rispettoso. Basta un click.

In Italy In coordination with the launch of our campaign in the UK, we also launched our investigation into pig farming in Italy. Our first ever Italian campaign, “Sonodegno”, broadly translates as “I am worth”, to remind people that pigs and all farm animals deserve a life worth living.

The results have been beyond our best expectations. At the time of writing, over 49,000 Italians have signed up to our campaign petition.

With your support, our new Italian team will now start to build on this mandate from Italian citizens to reverse the tide of factory farming in Italy.

Head of CIWF Italia, Annamaria Pisapia is also pleased to report on what was truly a landmark day: “CIWF Italia and the Italian pigs got into the Italian Parliament. For the very first time”.

CIWF Italia held its first ever press conference in the Italian Senate (Upper Chamber of the Parliament) in July. Entitled “La protezione dei suini in Italia tra leggi disattese e mobilitazione popolare: Un appello per il rispetto della legalità” (Pig protection in Italy between flouted laws and citizen movement: an appeal for the respect of the law).

The conference was attended by three MPs (Senators) of the Italian Democratic Party, who expressed their support for Compassion’s Sonodegno campaign. What’s more, they publicly signed our petition and announced that they had already submitted a joint Parliamentary Question (PQ) to the Italian government on the illegal pig farming in Italy. The joint PQ also included a signature from a fourth, highly important Member of the Agri Commission (who was unable to attend our press conference).

CIWF Italia announced that a written letter of complaint had been sent to both Italian Ministers of Health and Agriculture, asking to take urgent action to put an end to illegal pig farming. This letter was also circulated to Chief Veterinary Officer Romano Marabelli.

This press conference represents huge progress for Italy’s pigs – and we will keep fighting until the Pigs Directive is properly enforced in Italy.

In Germany On Friday 21 June, our campaign against cruel, illegal pig farming also went live in Germany. Translated as “Meine Würde” (My dignity), the campaign has so far received the support of over 42,000 German citizens. We also have plans to launch the petition in Spain – watch this space!

In France Our French team attended the ‘Ferme à Paris’ (Paris Farm Show) to promote the campaign and in June had a ‘pin the tail on the pig’ event in Paris to bring the issue of painful tail docking to the attention of the public and secure further signatures on our petition. Over 32,000 French citizens have joined our campaign so far.

In The Netherlands In Amsterdam, we attended a public rally against factory farming and already have the support of over 4,000 Dutch citizens.

Recent news from The Netherlands also gives us cause for further optimism. In June, an influential group of Dutch stakeholders made a declaration to the Agricultural Minister on the tail-docking of pigs, complete with a report with details on how The Netherlands will end this unnecessary but widespread

Head of CIWF Italia, Annamaria Pisapia (pictured right), with Italian Senators Amati (left) and Granaiola (centre) signing the petition in support of our campaign.

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ACTION

mutilation. This is significant as it demonstrates that farmers and their unions recognise that tail-docking is unpopular with the public and should end. On your behalf, our Dutch team has been involved in the discussions.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO CAMPAIGN FOR JUSTICE At the time of writing, nine countries out of the 27 EU States are still reportedly not complying with the sow stall ban.

Over the coming months, Compassion will continue to lobby the institutions of the European Union, exposing the illegal suffering and shaming non-compliant nations into introducing minimum welfare standards in line with the law.

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Compassion in World Farming constantly battles to improve the lives of farm animals everywhere. They keep going no matter what, and for that I truly thank them.

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Mrs Christine Manders, supporter

WE WILL CONTINUE TO EXPOSE THE TRUTH At the time of writing, we have released the findings of our investigation into 31 farms across three countries – but we have so much more to do.

We know that the findings of our investigations make for difficult reading but we are so grateful to everyone who responds with a donation. Every single aspect of this campaign is only possible because of you. Thank you.

With your support, we will keep exposing cruel, illegal pig farming and continue to campaign for a better life for every single pig across Europe.

CLOSER TO HOME – UK PIG FARMING STILL HAS MORE TO DO Despite the UK being one of the nations that introduced a sow stall ban ahead of the date required by the EU, poor pig welfare does still exist in the UK. Whilst sow stalls are banned, routine tail-docking and teeth-clipping are not uncommon.

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ACTION

Together we are stronger. Through our Raw campaign, we are exposing the raw truth of factory farming – for animals, for people, for the planet. By uniting people and other organisations against factory farming, this campaign is going from strength to strength.

UNITED against the misuse of antiobiotics

current state of the revised veterinary medicines and medicated feed antibiotics legislation. We hope to establish which member states are being difficult.

Around the world, precious antibiotics are being routinely used to prop up factory farms. This helps sustain cruel farming systems, and results in more bacteria that are resistant to medicine. Compassion is proud to be working alongside other organisations, including the Soil Association and Sustain, to campaign against the overuse of antibiotics in farming.

But we must keep the pressure up! Please sign our online petition at www.raw.info/antibiotics to help stop the misuse of antibiotics in factory farming.

UNITED against hunger Factory farming breaks our food systems, taking grain and other precious resources from those that need it most. As mentioned in the last issue of Farm Animal Voice, Compassion in World Farming has joined forces with over 200 organisations for the high-profile Enough Food IF campaign to end global hunger. As part of our campaign, over 5,000 Farm Animal Voice readers reserved their ‘virtual place’ at this year’s G8 meeting in Northern Ireland. We were all calling for the UK government, as the G8 host, to lead us away from ‘grain-hungry’ factory farming and support smaller-scale, higher-welfare farmers in developing countries.

Thank you to the 10,400 supporters who signed our petition calling on EU Commissioner, Dr Tonio Borg, to take action to end the routine use of antibiotics on farm animals.

Thank you also to everyone who has made a gift in support of this campaign. With your help we are demonstrating the strength of public feeling about the unethical and irresponsible misuse of antibiotics on factory farms.

The page opposite depicts how cereal used to feed livestock could feed people more effectively.

Compassion will keep up the pressure in months and years to come and it seems as though our message may be getting through. At the recent G8 summit held in Northern Ireland, the UK government brought the issue of antibiotic resistance to the table.

Raw campaign manager, Jonty Whittleton, delivered the 5,000 petition postcards by hand to the Department for International Development (DFID). He met with Tony, head of DFID’s food security team, who said that this campaign action was the “wind in the government’s sails” and that we have to keep shouting our message from the rooftops.

At the beginning of July, Compassion and our co-partners in the Alliance to save our Antibiotics – Sustain and the Soil Association – also secured a meeting with a senior official from DG SANCO in Brussels. We presented our position on antibiotic resistance, our key concerns, and the

THANKS TO YOU, WE ARE KICKSTARTING A FOOD AND FARMING REVOLUTION. As promised in the last Farm Animal Voice, we created a video to showcase the G8 postcard campaign – you can view the video at www.raw.info/G8postcards

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UNITED by a vision of a better world We’re not alone in our vision for better food and farming. Leading thinkers and change-makers support our vision. From media and sports stars to top academics and brilliant business minds, Raw visionaries are united by their desire to kickstart a food and farming revolution.

Jonathan Porritt

Kate Rawles

Michael Pollan

Jonathan Porritt is an eminent writer, broadcaster and commentator on sustainable development. From 2000-2009, he was Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, providing high-level advice to government ministers.

He is Co-Director of The Prince of Wales Business and Sustainability Programme. Porritt received a CBE in 2000 for services to environmental protection. He is a Patron of Compassion in World Farming.

Kate Rawles is a senior lecturer at the University of Cumbria and a writer, campaigner and outdoor philosopher. She is interested in the relationship between sustainability, ethics and animal welfare. Her book, The Carbon Cycle: Crossing the Great Divide, uses an adventure cycling story (4,553 miles from Texas to Alaska), to explore questions about climate change. She sits on the Food Ethics Council and is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Michael Pollan is an award-winning journalist, author and campaigner.

He is dedicated to reforming the food culture of the West, which he believes is eating itself to death on a diet of processed foods. Calling for a renaissance in whole foods to curb an epidemic of afflictions (including heart disease and cancer) and severe environmental problems, this “liberal foodie intellectual”, as the New York Times dubs him, joins the dots between agriculture, food and health in a truly persuasive way.

You can meet all our visionaries online at www. raw.info/visionaries

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CIWF is realistic and non-judgmental in its approach. You are not expecting the world to suddenly stop eating meat. It’s about education.

Your vision is clear, simple and reasonable.

It’s in the name: Compassion in World Farming – I support you.

❞ Ms Gabrielle Jordan, supporter

MPs call for action on factory farming We know that factory farming is the single biggest cause of animal cruelty, one of the greatest social and environmental challenges of our time and utterly fails to meet the needs of all of the planet’s seven billion people.

We now know that our message is getting through.

In June, a groundbreaking report from UK MPs on the International Development Committee called for action to curb food waste, overconsumption of meat and intensive farming. Their message is clear – we must move away from grain-based intensive farming and focus instead on sustainable systems such as pasture-fed cattle.

This new report mirrors much of what Compassion has long been calling for: a common-sense approach to farming and food production could revolutionise our food system for animals and people.

Sir Malcolm Bruce, chair of the International Development Committee, stated: “With the UK never more than a few days away from a significant food shortage, UK consumers should also be encouraged over time to reduce how often they eat meat.

Meanwhile, as a nation we should place a stronger focus on more sustainable extensive systems of meat production such as pasture-fed cattle, rather than on highly intensive grain-fed livestock units.”

The Committee’s warning is timely and welcome. Getting animals back on the farm, out in fields where they belong, is hugely important.

Industrially reared animals worldwide consume enough grain to feed three billion people.

Eating less, but better meat from pasture-fed animals would have a significant impact on consumer health and animal welfare. At the same time, reducing the mountain of food waste in the West has to be an imperative.

AND FINALLY – RAW RAFFLE NEWS! 1st prize – £2,000: Mrs S. Zasikowski, Worthing 2nd prize – £1,000: Mr I. Taylor, Shrewsbury 3rd prize – £500: Miss S. Eglington, Exeter Raffle ticket seller prizes – £250 each: Mrs P. Chan, Birmingham; Mrs L. Hughes-Roberts, Shrewsbury.

Thank you to everyone who supported the Compassion spring raffle. Each person who bought or sold tickets has played a special part in kickstarting a food and farming revolution. The lucky raffle winners are:

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RT LI V E TR A N S PDO WAY M A KIN G HE A

The long distance transport of animals results in suffering and poor welfare conditions, regardless of where those animals are travelling.

Compassion in World Farming believes that all animals should be slaughtered or fattened as near as possible to home, and that all long distance live transport should stop and be replaced with a carcass-only trade.

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n early May, we received the welcome news that live exports were to end from Ramsgate. But, sadly, this positive news was soon marred when the trade resumed from the port at Dover.

Following several berthing trials MV Joline, the vessel used to take sheep and calves across the channel for slaughter and further fattening, was granted permission to use Dover Port on a weekly basis.

MAKING HEADWAY At the height of the live export trade in the 1990s, on average, around 2-3 million live animals a year were exported from the UK; the latest figures available (2011) show a decline in the trade – over 80,000 animals were exported from the UK.

WE NEED GOVERNMENT ACTION ON UK LIVE EXPORTS This is, of course, a huge blow in our fight to see the end of live exports but at Compassion we are more determined than ever to put a stop to this cruel trade.

Rather than targeting individual ports, we need urgent changes in legislation that can halt this trade from the source.

Otherwise we, along with the RSPCA and KAALE (Kent Action Against Live Exports) will be forever chasing this trade around Britain’s ports.

Thank you to everyone who wrote to their MPs following the last edition of Farm Animal Voice, calling on them to support changes to the Ports and Harbours Act of 1846 to help stop live exports. 20 MPs were drawn in the Government Private Members’ Bill Ballot, but sadly none chose to take up live exports as their chosen issue.

But Compassion says one animal is too many.

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However, several of the MPs who were contacted about this opportunity have now taken other actions to help support this campaign, and over 30 MPs have signed up to a new Early Day Motion (EDM 60) against live exports. This is an important step forward in our campaign.

PROTESTS AT DOVER In June, over 100 passionate supporters of the campaign to stop live exports came together and held a demonstration at Dover Port, voicing their disdain that the trade had been allowed to resume.

This was followed by a public meeting in Dover Town Hall, which was addressed by Compassion in World Farming, the RSPCA and local activist group, KAALE, as well as local public figures. The meeting helped to build momentum for the campaign and gave support to the dedicated individuals who hold vigil down at the port for each and every sailing.

If you can help by joining these vigils, or would like to find out more, please get in touch with our Supporter Engagement Team on 01483 521 953 or email supporters@ciwf.org

Compassion in World Farming’s Brighton Local Group and staff from Compassion’s Head Office join forces with Irish animal welfarists, ARAN, at a protest against live exports outside the Irish Ministry of Agriculture.

IRELAND EXPORTING ANIMALS TO LIBYA To date there have been two sailings from Ireland to Libya, transporting at least 6,000 animals in total. Recent reports suggest that further sailings are planned and that the frequency of these sailings is likely to increase over the summer with new ships in the process of applying for permission to carry livestock.

Back in April, Compassion in World Farming and Irish animal welfare group, ARAN, held a public demonstration outside the Department of Agriculture in Dublin to rally support against the live export of cattle from Ireland to Libya. Despite the wind and rain, over 150 people turned up on the day, to act as voices for the animals which are subjected to these cruel journeys.

Compassion is keeping a close eye on the issue and lobbying Irish Ministers to stop the trade.

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I wholeheartedly supported this campaign and Compassion in World Farming has continued to impress me with its levelheadedness ever since.

We were recently delighted to hear that refunds on the export of live breeding cattle have now been zero rated.

Essentially, this means that there are no longer any subsidies for live animals being exported out of the EU. Each step like this helps to make the live export of cattle out of the EU a less profitable business to be in.

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Ms Teresa Maxwell, supporter

GOOD NEWS ON EU TO NON-EU SUBSIDIES In 2005, following our Stop the Bull Ship campaign, EU export subsidies for live cattle going for fattening or slaughter in the Middle East were brought to an end. Since then our chief policy officer, Peter Stevenson, has kept up strict lobbying work on this issue.

Together we must keep up momentum to put a stop to live exports and remain a voice for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

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EUROPE’S COWS BELONG IN FIELDS

It’s a shocking reality that Europe’s 23 million dairy cows do not have adequate laws to protect them. An undercover investigation – funded by Compassion’s supporters – revealed the distressing conditions that so many of these animals face day-in, day-out.

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THE SUPPORTING BETTER DAIRY CAMPAIGN IS ALREADY CREATING QUITE A STIR. In just one day, coinciding with Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day in Europe, cow-costume clad staff and volunteers collected over 4,800 signatures across Europe.

e are working hard to make fundamental changes for dairy cows, as there are currently no specific laws to protect them.

I n 2012, our undercover agents visited 52 dairy farms in several EU countries. Some of the problems they documented included untreated sores and open wounds, cows too big for their stalls, docked tails – leaving no protection from flies, long-term tethering by the neck, overgrown hooves, lameness and emaciated cows.

Compassion investigators filmed cows, emaciated and chained.

Compassion is calling for legislation to improve the lives of millions of dairy cows. A change in law could mean that all dairy cows would have: • Protection from cruelty • Access to the outdoors and grazing • The chance to express natural behaviours.

Compassion has also joined forces with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and ice cream makers, Ben & Jerry’s, to campaign for an EU Dairy Directive – giving dairy cows the protection they deserve.

So far, 213,000 concerned EU citizens have added their name to the Supporting Better Dairy Petition.

Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day – campaigning in London, Prague, Paris and Berlin.

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TAKE ACTION This October, we will be presenting the Support Better Dairy petition to the European Commission.

Can you help us with the last push for signatures? If you haven’t had a chance to sign the petition, please sign today. Can you ask your friends and family to sign? Every single signature really will make a difference.

Sign our online petition here: ciwf.org/happycows Together, let’s tell the EU Commission that dairy cows deserve better health, welfare and living conditions!

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I N S P I R AT I O N

LAND OF THE FREE-RANGE? In a country where the scale of intensive farming is unimaginable, and where some farmers are still seeking to outlaw the recording of farm animal cruelty, Compassion in World Farming knows that our mission to end factory farming will face some of its biggest challenges yet.

Yet our US Director, Leah Garcés, is optimistic that change could be just around the corner.

WHISTLEBLOWER LAWS THAT HIDE CRUELTY

highlighting and celebrating higher welfare “pasture reared” broiler farming.

Around 95% of factory farmed animals in the United States are broiler chickens (chickens reared for meat). It is no surprise then that campaigning for change in broiler farming is a critical element of our campaign in the USA.

The 2013 Pastured Poultry Week involved not only 50 Georgia-based restaurants, but also 25 chefs in New York.

Our event seeks to promote and celebrate humane and sustainable pasture raised poultry.

However, across the USA, a troubling series of antiwhistleblower ‘ag-gag’ laws have been introduced in recent years. The laws are designed to limit undercover investigations on factory farms by campaigning groups.

Around a dozen states have passed or are proposing legislation banning these activities. Supporters of the legislation say they protect the privacy of farmers and agriculture businesses. However Compassion USA, along with other animal welfare organisations, share deep concerns regarding the intent of this legislation.

“This week is about shining a spotlight on the virtues of pastured poultry which encompasses rearing a bird that lives longer, looks healthier and tastes better.”

Leah Garcés, US Director, Compassion in World Farming During the week, 75 restaurants in Georgia and New York served pastured poultry on their menus to highlight benefits such as the high welfare of the chickens and the positive impact on both human health and the environment, not to mention its superior taste. This is poles apart from the factory farming that the industry doesn’t want you to see and we are proud to champion it.

Previous investigations into factory farming, such as Compassion’s own ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind’ have exposed not only horrendous cruelty, but in addition, public health threats and dangerous working conditions.

WHY PASTURED POULTRY?

If these ‘ag-gag’ laws are passed, farm workers and investigators alike would be unable to expose the cruelty that so often takes place behind the closed doors of factory farms. The good news is that the implementation of these ‘ag-gag’ laws has so far been rejected in several states, including Florida, Minnesota and New York.

Animal welfare is winning – just.

Raising chickens on pasture means a chicken is allowed to be a chicken. They are given the space and enrichment to scratch, peck and flap their wings. It also means a slower growing breed is used that is better for their welfare and appropriate for pasture, as compared to conventionally used breeds. It means they are not just given ‘access to the outdoors’, but rather the pasture is a permanent and central part of a their life.

COMPASSION SHINES A LIGHT ON HUMANE CHICKEN FARMING As well as drawing attention to the dark side of factory farming, Compassion’s work in the US also focuses on

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ACTION

COMPASSION

NEEDS

YOU!

Here at Compassion, we simply wouldn’t be able to create real change for farm animals without our amazing supporters. However, right now farm animals need our help more than ever, and this is why we need you to get involved in whatever way you can!

Here are some ideas to get you thinking…

GET SPONSORED Getting sponsored to take part in a challenge of your choice is a great way to raise funds for farm animal welfare. And anyone can do anything with a little imagination!

For example Ann Starr, niece of the late Peter Roberts – founder of Compassion in World Farming – decided to take on the gruelling challenge of climbing the Yorkshire Three Peaks earlier this year.

John Ray of Pete rsfiel d on the sponsored Lond on to Brighton cycle run

Your sponsored challenge can be anything that you like! Our supporters have done everything from switching off their fridge freezers for six months, to walking and cycling, abseiling and even parachute jumping! If you would like more ideas about sponsored events, please Get in Touch.

Compassion staff get sponsored to Walk with Compassion

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ACTION

COMMUNITY EVENTS

BAKE WITH COMPASSION

CAMPAIGNERS’ CORNER

Community events are so important in helping to raise funds for our work to end factory farming.

Community events are also key to Compassion raising public awareness.

However, at present this year, we sadly do not have enough events organised to raise the amount of money we need for our campaigns.

Bake is back this October! During our free-range fundraising month, we’ll be asking supporters to hold their own higher-welfare cake sales, dinner parties or bake-offs, to help raise money and awareness for our campaigns.

If you would like to help fight factory farming from the comfort of your own home, then you may be interested in joining our letter writing club, Campaigners’ Corner. As a member, you will receive a free pack with all the information you need to start writing campaign letters, as well as quarterly updates with template letters on our most urgent campaign matters. To sign up, simply contact us on the details below.

Whether it’s booking a stand at a local fair, or organising your own garden party, jumble sale or quiz night, whatever you are able to do will help us enormously in our fight against factory farming.

To sign up for Bake with Compassion and receive your free starter pack, simply visit ciwf.org/bake or Get in Touch!

Our latest letter-writing campaigns are on honest labelling and enforcing the Pigs Directive. Please Get in Touch for the pack and the latest actions you can take!

Please Get in Touch and we’ll be able to provide you with the information and materials you may need to organise – or join in – a Compassionate community event.

Farm animals need you!

GET IN TOUCH! If you would like to get more involved with Compassion’s work, then the Supporter Engagement Team is here to help you every step of the way. You can call us on 01483 521 953 (9am – 5pm Monday – Friday) or email supporters@ciwf.org

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You can also follow us on Twitter at @ciwf or join our Facebook friends at Facebook.com/farm. animals We look forward to hearing from you!

ciwf.org

YOU ARE

PIONEERING YOU ARE

CHANGING THE LIVES OF BILLIONS YOU ARE PART OF A

CAGE-FREE FUTURE YOU ARE MAKING A

DIFFERENCE YOU ARE

REMARKABLE YOU ARE

COMPASSION IN WORLD FARMING On your behalf, Compassion in World Farming works tirelessly to ensure farm animal welfare is taken seriously by politicians, food businesses and consumers.

YOUR SUPPORT ALLOWS US TO INVESTIGATE AND EXPOSE THE TRUE COSTS OF FACTORY FARMING, CALLING TO ACCOUNT THOSE WITH THE POWER TO CHANGE OUR FOOD SYSTEM. THANK YOU.

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.