Issue 189 – Winter 2013
ILLEGAL CRUELTY TO PIGS Shame on Europe
YOUR YEAR, YOUR PROGRESS We look back on all that you have achieved
FARMAGEDDON Lifting the lid on factory farming
Inside: Joanna takes on Europe
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FARM ANIMAL VOICE CONTENTS UPDATE 4 Stories from around the world 6
Stop Live Exports Our campaign goes on to fight the trade
15 We will not be silenced Thanks to you, we can now make the film ‘they’ don’t want you to see INSIGHT 16 Lifting the lid on factory farming Why – and how – change is needed now 20 Labelling Matters We all want clear and honest labelling on our food
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INSPIRATION 10 Your year, your progress We review some of the year’s highlights 18 Thanks to you 337 million farm animals are now set to benefit every year ACTION 8 Joanna Lumley takes on Europe Taking Europe’s politicians to task on the issue of illegal pig farming 22 Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Thank you for all that you do to help farm animals
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Front cover: photograph © Istock Inset photo: Joanna with Compassion’s Chief Policy Advisor, Peter Stevenson (left) and Dan Jørgenson MEP (right) 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.uk 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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Anna and Peter Roberts, founders of Compassion in World Farming
Welcome to the Christmas issue of Farm Animal Voice. For Compassion, 2013 has been a mixed year of celebration for all that we have achieved for millions of farm animals; anger at being barred from advertising the truth about factory farming on UK television; and sadness as we mourn the loss of our inspirational co-founder, Anna Roberts, who sadly passed away in August. Anna founded Compassion in World Farming with her dairy farmer husband, Peter Roberts, in 1967, when no other animal welfare organisations would fight against the cruelty of factory farming. Peter always credited Anna as being the inspiration behind the organisation that you are part of today. We shall all miss Anna very much and we will make sure that her legacy lives on: Compassion will not be silenced; farm animals must not and need not suffer. So, as this significant year in our history draws to a close, I hope you will look back and feel proud of all that you have done to help farm animals live a better life: Europe’s 12 million sows are no longer allowed to be kept in stalls for their whole lives; around 250 million hens have been free from barren battery cages for almost two years; and more than 337 million farm animals a year are set to benefit as a result of our Good Farm Animal Welfare Award winners’ policies. These achievements have taken decades to come to fruition, but they have done so, because of you. With the new year approaching fast, we look forward to helping even more farm animals out of a life of misery and suffering. We will make the film ‘they’ don’t want the public to see. We will keep campaigning until all farm animals are protected and existing laws are enforced properly; we will continue to challenge the perceived need for ‘sustainable intensification’ – because quite simply, it is not the right way to treat animals, nor can it sustainably feed the world. Thank you for all that you do. Because of your support, farm animals will not be silenced; and Anna and Peter’s legacy will live on. With warm wishes and with hope for a Happy New Year,
Philip Lymbery, Chief Executive
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COMPASSION CALLS ON GUERNSEY TO
STOP TETHERING CATTLE Compassion has been alerted to several issues with keeping cattle tethered in Guernsey. Last winter, tethered cattle were left on an exposed hillside during a snow blizzard. Because as they were tethered, they weren’t able to seek shelter. More recently, a cow gave birth to a calf which slipped out of reach so the cow was unable to nurse the calf. New tethering guidelines have been put out to consultation by the Guernsey State Veterinary Service which aim to address these issues. However, tethering prevents cattle from expressing natural behaviour, including lying down and eating together. Compassion is in favour of Guernsey cattle being kept outside in groups in fields which give cattle access to shade and shelter together from wind and rain.
BURGER OF THE FUTURE? In August 2013, the world’s first test tube burger was cooked and served in front of a live audience in London. The burger cost in the region of 250,000 Euros to produce and was grown in a lab from the stem cells of a cow. This is a vital development, and potentially the future of meat production. Artificial meat could prevent the future suffering of millions of farm animals and stop the damage factory farming causes to people and the planet. Compassion’s CEO Philip Lymbery, says: “This could be a real game-changer; transforming the way meat is produced in ways which potentially come with great environmental, health and animal welfare benefits.”
COMPASSION LAUNCHES GOOD FARM ANIMAL WELFARE AWARDS IN CHINA We were delighted to co-host a forum on animal welfare organised by the International Cooperation Committee of Animal Welfare (ICCAW) in China earlier this year. Compassion emphasised the importance of animal welfare in terms of food safety, food quality and the increasing consumer demand for higher animal welfare standards. We were also excited to announce the launch of our prestigious Good Pig Awards in China – with the hope that the awards will encourage the food industry in China to commit to higher welfare standards for pigs.
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SUPPORTING BETTER DAIRY PETITION PRESENTED TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION Compassion in World Farming, WSPA and Ben & Jerry’s presented the signatures of over 290,000 EU citizens demanding new legislation to protect the 23 million dairy cows in Europe.
This is despite the fact that the Planning Minister accepts that there are problems with:
The campaign calls for a change in the law to ensure cows have:
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UÊÊ/ iÊ «>VÌÊ ÊÀià `i ÌÃÊ vÊ ` ÕÀ]Ê noise and the need for pest control
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To draw attention to the campaign, a giant petition was made and included the first names of supporters from across Europe. It was presented to Andrea Gavinelli, Head of Animal Welfare at the European Commission.
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Dil Peeling, Director of Campaigns at Compassion says: “European dairy cows can have widespread health problems, be inadequately cared for, and some have cramped living conditions and a poor diet. Together with Ben & Jerry’s and WSPA, we want to see specific European legislation for our dairycows.” The campaign continues to gain momentum with food businesses and MPs across Europe keen to engage with dairy cow welfare.
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UÊÊ Õ > ÊÀ } Ìð Philip Lymbery, Compassion’s CEO says: “The Planning Minister has said that the economic benefits outweighed the other considerations. A planning minister should understand the meaning of ‘Sustainable Development’. Ignoring the social and long term economical implications of a mega dairy isn’t it.”
COMPASSION OBJECTS TO ONSHORE FISH FARM FishFrom Ltd has submitted plans to build an onshore salmon farm on the Kintyre peninsula. It would be the first onshore fish farm of its kind in the UK and potentially the largest in the world. Approximately 20,000 salmon would be harvested each week. Compassion has submitted objections to the proposal with Argyll and Bute Council based on environmental concerns as well as the welfare of the salmon. The proposed stocking density would be up to double that of conventional fish farms. Also, the system promotes unnaturally fast growth and restricts the ability of the salmon to perform natural behaviours. Compassion will continue to challenge the proposed plans.
We have written to the Minister challenging him on whether his decision complies with the UK’s obligations under EU law, and we’ll be in touch with any further steps you can take to protect British cows from the creeping spread of intensive mega-dairies.
In a shocking update, just as 290,000 Europeans state that they want cows to be protected, a mega dairy in Powys, Wales, has been granted planning permission.
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: S T R O P X E L A IM N LIVE A
T H G I L T O P S E H IN T In 2012, at least that 47,000 sheep and calves were exported live from the UK. In the 1990s that number exceeded 3 million.
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ogether, we’ve helped to stop millions of animals from facing the stress and suffering caused by the live export trade. For that, we must be proud – but with your support, our campaign will continue to fight the cruelty of live animal transport – in the UK and beyond.
FIGHTING AGAINST BRITISH EXPORT CRUELTY In July 2013, thousands of supporters took part in our online campaign urging David Heath MP, the Agriculture Minister at the time, to do what only he has the power to do: get rid of out-dated legislation – the 1847 Ports Harbours and Piers Clauses Act. In doing so, he can give UK ports the right to refuse the live export trade without fear of severe legal repercussions. In a bid to raise public awareness of this vile, outdated trade, we projected footage from our latest investigation onto the cliffs above Dover Port on Wednesday 6th November (pictured right). We hope this will encourage Dover Harbour Board to publicly condemn the trade. The names of supporters who donated towards this
stunt featured in the rolling credits – because without their commitment, we wouldn’t be able to carry out such vital work to expose the truth. CAMPAIGNING IN THE STREETS But that’s not all. Hundreds of supporters converged on London in August to speak out against this trade. Together, we marched proudly through Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square with our voices ringing out together with one clear message: “What do we want? Stop live exports! When do we want it? Now!”
Images from our investigations and the names of supporters who helped fund this film were projected on the cliffs above Dover Port.
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Dedicated supporters from local campaign groups, Kent Action Against Live Exports and Thanet Against Live Exports, came together with Compassion at a memorial service held by the RSPCA in memory of the 47 sheep who died at Ramsgate Port last year. We laid a bouquet with one white carnation for each of the sheep who died. These lives symbolise the ongoing suffering inherent in this trade.
OUR INVESTIGATORS DOCUMENTED LONG JOURNEYS OF 18 AND 23 HOURS
LONDON TO S. GERMANY 23 hours
SHEFFIELD TO W. FRANCE 18 hours
EXPOSING LAW-BREAKERS During some of the hottest weeks of this year, Compassion’s Investigation Unit went out on the road again, documenting the cruelty of the live export trade. The team trailed trucks carrying hundreds of sheep from the UK to France and Germany. They witnessed what we believe to be multiple breaches of animal welfare law and negligence in the duty of care for the sheep, many of whom were sick and stressed.
Trafalgar Square comes to a standstill
Yet again the suffering caused by this totally unnecessary trade has been exposed and Compassion is in the process of lodging formal complaints with various government departments. The UK government body tasked with overseeing the welfare of animals in transit has told us that it is now “reviewing the evidence” following the illegal cruelty revealed by our investigation. Watch this space.
Sheep ended up in dark, cramped ‘fattening barns’ where they would spend up to a quarter of their lives
LOOKING FORWARD Compassion’s Chief Executive, Philip Lymbery, recently referred to the export and long distance transportation of farm animals as a ”common-sense bypass”. In this day and age, there is no reason these animals could not be slaughtered in the UK and sent abroad as meat. Compassion will continue to push for legislative changes that will make it possible for UK ports to refuse the trade and push for exporters who break existing legislation to be made to pay the consequences. We will not give up this fight until live exports from the UK have stopped for good.
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Hundreds of sickly and exhausted animals crammed together
“The scandal is that the EU Pigs Directive is a law that is completely flouted. Pigs need straw to root around in and mustn’t have their tails docked. What has happened to that law? Laws must be enforced – otherwise there’s no point in parliament, there’s no point in democracy.” Joanna Lumley, Compassion Patron, speaking at the Compassion briefing for MEPs in Brussels, September 2013. 8
ACTION
JOANNA LUMLEY TAKES ON EUROPE “All we’re asking for is for laws to be enforced. Is that so hard?” Joanna Lumley, Compassion in World Farming Patron and Campaigner
EXPOSING THE TRUTH Thanks to the generosity of our incredible supporters, Compassion has been able to conduct a six-month long undercover investigation across Europe to expose the reality of life for pigs who are supposedly protected by law. Investigations took place on 45 farms across six countries. The horrifying footage shows blatant disregard for EU Pig welfare law. We revealed systematic neglect and cruelty. Much of the EU pig sector is out of control, behaving as if it is above the law. We know from EU data that nine countries are definitely breaching the sow stall ban* and a further six are being investigated on the same issue. But we believe this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are 140 million pigs in the EU at any one time. Our investigations show that aspects of the Pigs Directive are being blatantly ignored all across the EU, inflicting illegal cruelty on millions of intelligent and sensitive animals. Sometimes the scale of the challenge we are facing seems overwhelming. A DATE WITH COMPASSION On Tuesday 24th September, Compassion staff from across Europe, along with our long-term supporter and patron, Joanna
Lumley, converged in the European Parliament in Brussels. Together, we presented MEPs from across Europe with the findings of our investigation. We detailed the horrific conditions on pig farms in Italy, Spain, Cyprus, Ireland, Poland and the Czech Republic. These reports, and our investigation film, highlighted the appalling suffering of Europe’s pigs and the urgent need to improve their lives. We weren’t alone in our efforts. Dan Jørgensen MEP hosted the event and spoke passionately about the need for change to a room filled with MEPs, journalists, officials from EU institutions, industry and other NGOs. Joanna and the Compassion team made a real impact in Brussels – it was an essential opportunity to expose widespread breaches of EU law and bring pressure to bear on those with the power to protect animals from illegal cruelty.
THANK YOU We would like to thank everyone who sponsored the event with donations and messages calling for change. The essential work we do would not be possible without the incredible support we receive. The messages you wrote are now in the hands of Europe’s politicians.
The event also received widespread media coverage including The Northern Echo North East, Western Morning News South West, Western Daily Press Farming, Evening Express Scotland, The Huffington Post, Cyprus Mail, Gibraltar Chronicle and Euronews.
* At the time of writing, November 2013.
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Joanna holds court in front of European politicians. ciwf.org
COMPASSION PUTS HOPE IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
ACTION
HOPE IN THE HEART OF EUROPE Thanks to your support, our campaign has been taking to the streets in a ‘big’ way too. Our giant inflatable pig, named ‘Hope’, stands taller than double decker bus and is raising awareness of the suffering of pigs and the breaches of the law in France, Italy, the Czech Republic, The Netherlands and Poland. So far, Hope has visited Paris, Prague and Amsterdam, and is attracting a great deal of attention. As Hope was being inflated, she attracted a lot of attention – many passers-by stopped to watch and ended up staying to see our undercover investigation film. Journalists also turned up from local and national press and spread across TV, radio and newspapers.
Hope attracts attention in the centre of Prague and Amsterdam.
Watch out for Hope on tour in the coming months. Our Netherlands team has been helping members of the public to send straw to the Dutch Minister of Agriculture to protest at the barren conditions pigs are kept in.
260,000 PEOPLE CANNOT BE IGNORED At the time of writing, an amazing 259,623 people have already signed our online petition demanding that the law is enforced.
We must keep the pressure up. The suffering of pigs and flouting of the law has been ignored by politicians and industry for too long – with your help we say ‘enough’. This illegal cruelty must stop and we won’t rest until it does.
It is the fastest growing petition in Compassion’s history. If you haven’t already done so, you can sign up at ciwf.org.uk/favpigs
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BE PART OF A SHARED LEGACY Over the past 45 years, Compassion has changed the face of farm animal welfare. And everything we do in the decades to come will be working towards our goal to end factory farming. Our vision is a world where farm animals are treated with compassion and respect. You can be part of this future. JOIN THE GROWING NUMBER OF VISIONARY SUPPORTERS WHO HAVE REMEMBERED COMPASSION IN THEIR WILLS… “Leaving Compassion in World Farming a legacy means that my support can continue after my death. It’s also an opportunity to donate a larger sum of money in one go than I was able to during my lifetime.” Mrs Heather Parry
“I wanted to leave something to Compassion in World Farming as I feel it is an effective organisation that can really bring change – and therefore a real legacy for animals. To do something worthwhile for animals on an ongoing basis is important for me.” Dr Heather Wood
“I sign petitions, write letters, send money – and have put you in my will. I do it with great thankfulness and appreciation of the WONDERFUL work you do.” Mrs Enid Nussbaum
“I have pledged my support to the end of my life and beyond. I am proud to be a tiny part of this wonderful organisation.” Mrs Veronica Lester
“By naming Compassion in World Farming in my will, I am recognising the importance of campaigning and engaging people in issues around farm animal exploitation.” Ms C. Moran
Go down in the history of animal welfare Your legacy for farm animals will take us closer to a world without farm animal cruelty. If you haven’t made your Will – or need yours updating – we can help with our free Will writing service. Please feel free to contact us for more information: By phone on 01483 521 953
By email to legacy@ciwf.org.uk
Or visit ciwf.org.uk/legacy
D E I N E D : D E G G A G : D E N N BA
DO NOT LET THEM SILENCE YOU. YOU ARE THE VOICE OF FARM ANIMALS.
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n 1989, Compassion in World Farming was banned from advertising in mainstream cinema and as our recent appeal reported, almost 25 years on, we find ourselves banned from advertising on British television as well. If this weren’t bad enough, the British Government is trying to sneak through changes that could see world-renowned British welfare standards stripped back in an attempt to boost the British farming industry.
Already, almost 4,500 people have responded to our appeal to help us break the shackles of silence. We now have the support and backing to go ahead and make the film they don’t want seen. With funds now secured, our plans can start to unfold. Over the coming months, we will be pulling together decades of investigative footage, welfare wins and challenges, and the views of our supporters to make a film that not only defends our right to be heard but also speaks the cold, hard truth about cruel, factory farming.
Further afield in America, new ag-gag laws are being introduced in several states, making it a criminal offence to film animal cruelty on American farms. In fact, arrests have already been made when members of the public have filmed animals being cruelly treated.
We’ll soon be in touch again, calling on you to help us spread the word about the film. Together, we will turn up the volume about factory farming.
But to deny us the right to tell the truth about factory farming, denies millions of animals the chance of a better life. We must refuse to be silenced.
A special thank you to everyone who has already donated and wants to see their name in the credits of the film. It’s not too late to get involved. Please call 01483 521 953 or visit ciwf.org.uk/banned
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ACTION
Lifting the lid on factory farming With your support, we are shouting our message loud and clear – factory farming cannot feed the world. We urgently need a food revolution: that values the welfare of farm animals; nourishes people; protects the planet.
Yet more farming madness
The Raw truth of GM
Working on intelligence provided by a concerned local resident, our investigators recently went undercover to examine the truth behind claims that an American-style feedlot is operating in Louth, Lincolnshire. What they found was disturbing: animals kept in high-stocking densities; a lack of shelter from extreme weather; no obvious dry ground on which the cows can rest. Reports suggest there are plans to move the operation to a larger location nearby, which could worsen the animal welfare problems and may also lead to serious environmental consequences, such as water pollution.
In September 2013, more than 8,500 Compassion supporters emailed their MEPs to call for a proper debate on the genetic modification (GM) of farm animals in Europe. The European Commission had previously dismissed our concerns about GM – which can lead to animal suffering, as well as premature death. But following our pressure the Commission has now stated: “It is essential to have a thorough discussion on all aspects of this issue” – and may even seek expert advice on the ethical implications of using GM animals for food production. This is a significant step forward.
We believe that the future of British farming should be higher welfare and pasture based, which would allow us to produce high-quality food while supporting livelihoods and nourishing our landscapes. This US-style feedlot is a backwards step and sets a dangerous precedent.
Aerial shot of a typical US feedlot.
To date, over 15,500 Compassion supporters have signed our petition urging Louth’s local council, East Lindsey District Council, to investigate the feedlot and proposed expansion plans. Our campaign has also featured in The Sunday Times and on BBC Television. For the latest anti-factory farming action, visit raw.info/action
WHAT IS A FEEDLOT? The feedlot is common in America. Cattle are raised in barren paddocks without access to shade, and often in large numbers. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has stated that this way of farming “…can pose a number of risks to water quality and public health, mainly because of the amount of animal manure and wastewater they generate.”
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10,000 take action in Germany Compassion’s Raw Campaign Manager, Jonty, recently travelled to Wietze in Germany to the ‘frontline’ of industrial farming – a chicken-processing factory that plans to double its output from 200,000 to 400,000 birds every day. There, he joined thousands of peaceful protesters in a human chain around the factory. Over 10,000 campaigners took part – an incredible result!
Speaking about his time in Germany, Jonty said: “The experience in Germany confirms Compassion’s long-held belief: that factory farming is not just an animal-welfare concern. It affects our food, our jobs, our economy, our environment, our countryside and our communities. In fact, there is very little that isn’t shaped in some way by farming.”
FARMAGEDDON: THE QUIET REVOLUTION OF MEGA-FARMING THAT IS THREATENING OUR COUNTRYSIDE, FARMS AND FOOD.
EXCLUSIVE SUPPORTER OFFER
Farm animals have been disappearing from our fields as the production of food has become a global industry. We no longer know for certain what is entering the food chain and what we are eating – as the UK horsemeat scandal demonstrated. We are reaching a tipping point as the farming revolution threatens our countryside, health and the quality of our food wherever we live in the world. Compassion’s Chief Executive, Philip Lymbery, has spent the last two years writing a first-hand account of how factory farming is not only harming farm animals, it is having a detrimental impact on wildlife, the environment, people’s health, communities and livelihoods. Farmageddon is a fascinating and terrifying investigative journey behind the closed doors of a runaway industry across the world – from the UK, Europe and the USA, to China, Argentina, Peru and Mexico. It is both a wake-up call to change our current food production and eating practices and an attempt to find a way to a better farming future. Farmageddon is published by Bloomsbury and will be available in all good bookshops in February 2014. As a Compassion supporter, you can pre-order Farmageddon at a discount price of £6.30. Please call 01256 302 699 and quote reference ‘GLR9LD’. (Price excludes P&P of £3.50.)
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© ARC2020, 2013
Above: The peaceful protest in Wietze, Germany. Right: Raw campaigner, Jonty, one of 10,000 campaigners in a human chain
I N S P I R AT I O N
THE STRENGTH OF AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME Because of your support, more and more leading food companies are buying into better farm animal welfare. On 30th October 2013, food companies from across Europe were recognised at this year’s Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards in Paris.
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espite the ongoing economic gloom across Europe, this year saw a great mix of winners from across different food sectors, European countries and award categories – demonstrating that higher welfare food is becoming more mainstream. It is extremely encouraging to see food companies take on the challenge of their supply chains to make improvements in the lives of so many animals. Over 337 million farm animals are now set to benefit each year as a result of our award winners’ policies.
Sainsbury’s was recognised with the Best Retailer Marketing Award because they showed the best examples of promoting animal welfare to consumers by offering year-round promotions and clear marketing on higher welfare products, thus making them more affordable and accessible to shoppers.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE AWARDS Our first ever Polish winner, SPA Foods, received a Good Chicken Award in recognition of the higher welfare practices they are putting in place on farm which, over the next five years, is set to benefit the lives of millions of chickens across Europe. For consumers, this means greater availability of higher welfare fresh and prepared chicken meat.
Marks & Spencer won both the Best Performing and overall Best Retailer Award for receiving the highest overall scores from our supermarket surveys, which score and rate a company’s policies, performance and overall approach to farm animal welfare. In total, 28 awards were presented at the ceremony, hosted by Sheila Dillon, food journalist and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme. Sheila said: “The Awards help to demonstrate that it is possible to show compassion towards the animals we eat, while accepting the realities of the food industry and the need to be commercially viable.”
Monoprix, a leading French supermarket chain, picked up a Good Egg Commendation for making a commitment to source only free-range eggs for its own-brand label – a move we hope will encourage more retailers to follow.
Full details of all of our award winners to date can be found online at ciwf.org.uk/yourfood
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OVER 337 MILLION FARM ANIMALS ARE NOW SET TO BENEFIT EACH YEAR AS A RESULT OF OUR AWARD WINNERS’ POLICIES. INNOVATION THAT COULD CHANGE MILLIONS OF LIVES Under EU law, rabbits have no speciesspecific protection. We estimate that the vast majority of the 328 million rabbits farmed across Europe each year are kept in cramped, barren cages. This means these animals are totally vulnerable to the kind of horrific treatment we witnessed during our investigation in 2012. For this reason, we were particularly pleased to give a Best Retailer Innovation Award to leading German retailer, Kaufland.
thereby building acceptance around paying more for higher welfare standards. With rabbits being the second most farmed animal in Europe, Kaufland’s work is clearly demonstrating to the rest of the industry that there is a commercial alternative to using cages.
THANK YOU Your support enables Compassion to engage with food manufacturers, food service businesses and retail chains across Europe. These companies make, serve and sell the vast majority of the food we consume and have the power to make a real difference to the lives of millions of animals each year.
Kaufland has introduced a higher welfare rabbit production system which focusses on welfare, wellbeing whilst being commercially viable. Kaufland also promotes the benefits of higher welfare products to customers,
Thank you to everyone who took part in our summer raffle 2013 – you are making a difference to the lives of millions of farm animals across Europe – and beyond. The lucky winners are: 1st Prize £2,000: Mr Newell, Cranbrook 2nd Prize £500: Doreen Brand, Suffolk 3rd Prize £250: John Collis, London Quick Draw Prize £500: Maria Sullivan, Banbury Ticket Seller Prize £500: Sue Cunningham, Corwen
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DOES LABELLING MATTER? At Compassion, we are calling for mandatory method-of-production labelling on all meat and dairy products through the groundbreaking Labelling Matters campaign.
UK
FRANCE
CZECH REPUBLIC
83%
92%
78%
% OF CONSUMERS THAT WANT TO KNOW WHICH FARM SYSTEM HAS BEEN USED TO PRODUCE THEIR FOOD
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abelling Matters is a partnership project of Compassion in World Farming, RSPCA, Soil Association and WSPA. It is a simple idea: if food is clearly and honestly labelled, consumers can use their buying power to improve farm animal welfare.
These consumer findings are being taken seriously. In October 2013, the EU Commissioner responsible for Health and Consumers wrote to us asking for a presentation of our data – an extremely positive sign that change may be afoot.
And we know it works. Since method-of-production labels were introduced for eggs in Europe, sales of free-range eggs have rocketed. Despite this, the EU Commission and national governments are still resistant to method-ofproduction labelling on most meat and dairy products.
OUR STOCKPILE OF EVIDENCE IS GROWING In addition to the new consumer research, we are also finalising plans to run consumer surveys to show that people across Europe are confused by potentially misleading and unclear labels collected by Compassion supporters and other campaigners. The results from this survey, along with the results of the consumer research, will help us push for clear labelling at the highest levels in the EU and with national governments.
But now we have evidence they can’t ignore. New independent research, commissioned by Labelling Matters, shows that 83% of UK consumers, 92% of French consumers and 78% of Czech consumers want to know which farm system has been used to produce their food. The overwhelming demand for clarity and honesty could not be clearer.
None of this would be possible without your support. Thank you.
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INSIGHT
CHANGE IS IN THE AIR FOR LAYING HENS IN TAIWAN Because of your support, Compassion is working in partnership with visionary campaigners in Taiwan to take the first steps in the journey to a cage-free future.
Photo © EAST
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n Taiwan, it is estimated that 99% of the 36 million laying hens farmed each year are confined to barren battery cages. Inspired by the progress that Compassion has made in Europe in recent decades – the ban on the barren battery cage, the regulation of egg labelling and the growth of cage-free production – visionary campaigners at EAST (Environment and Animal Society of Taiwan) are now working to encourage Taiwanese farms to transfer their production from the battery cage to higher welfare systems.
Compassion provided the financial assistance and technical expertise that has enabled EAST to launch a bold new campaign in Taiwan. The campaign calls upon the Taiwanese government to implement a clear, egg labelling scheme and to support cage-free egg production.
99%
Photo © EAST
It is early days, but as a result of the campaign, the Taiwanese Government is now trying to establish a standard for higher welfare egg production and clearer labelling as an incentive for farmers to shift their production and differentiate their higher welfare eggs to consumers.
Now illegal in the European Union, barren battery cages account for 99% of egg production in Taiwan.
Some leading food companies are already starting to move. One example is the Homemakers Union Consumer Co-Op, where all shell eggs are now farmed in barn or free-range farms. EAST has been helping them negotiate with egg farmers. EAST is also in dialogue with other major food conglomerates in Taiwan. The challenge remains huge. Taiwanese egg farmers are afraid of weak market demand and the pace of government action can be frustratingly slow. However, the direction of progress in Europe (whilst far from perfect) provides inspiration and credibility to the Taiwanese campaign. Legislators join farmers and activists from EAST at a press conference in Taipei calling for egg-labelling regulations that would enable consumers make higher welfare choices.
Make no mistake, because of your support, we are making progress. Thank you.
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ciwf.org
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO TO HELP FARM ANIMALS Happy Christmas – and here’s to an even Happier New Year!
THE GREAT COMPASSION BAKE OFF October 2013 was our fifth annual Bake with Compassion, with supporters from around the country helping to raise vital funds and awareness for our work to help protect farm animals from cruelty. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped to make Bake with Compassion 2013 such a fun and successful event! Our bakers came up with some creative, delicious and farm-animal themed goodies, whilst using freerange eggs, organic dairy, or vegan ingredients.
MAKE IT A COMPASSIONATE CHRIS TM AS At the heart of every Christmas is the food. We know that the food you choose has a direct effect on how farm animals live. So, why not make your Christmas compassionate with our guide to labelling below. If you don’t eat animal products, please pass this useful guide to friends and family who may be interested. LABELS TO LOOK FOR: Organic, such as the Soil Association, offers the best potential for higher welfare. Farm animals raised in organic standards have access to the outdoors. Free range animals have access to the outdoors and have the potential to lead a more natural life.
By using higher-welfare ingredients for all your cooking and encouraging all your friends and family to do the same, you can make a real difference to the lives of farm animals!
RSPC A Freedom Foods: indoor and outdoor rearing systems provide more space and bedding material then the standard system. MSC: wild caught fish can be traced back to a certified sustainable source.
IS TM A S CELEBR ATE CHR ION WITH COMPA SS
friend s on what to buy a Struggling for idea ve tmas? Why not gi or relative for Chris ted ion. With a sugges a year of Compass ngful u can give a meani donation of £15, yo imals ft, helping farm an and worthwhile gi : ive ce cipient will re worldwide. The re >ÃÊV>À`Ê À Ê> > Ê À ÃÌ UÊÊ>Ê > ` ÜÀ ÌÌi Êv> `}iÊ UÊÊ>Êv>À Ê> > ÊL> Ê UÊÊ>Ê «>ÃÃ Ê«i ÀÌ wÊV>ÌiÊ UÊÊ>Ê«iÀÃ > Ãi`ÊVi ÕÃÊ À «Ì ÊÌ Ê ÕÀÊv>LÕ UÊÊ>Ê i Þi>ÀÊÃÕLÃV magazine. Farm Animal Voice ter h with the suppor Please Get in Touc to buy your gift. engagement team
PLANNING A NEW YE AR RESOLUTION? Many of us make resolu tions; some of us will give up a bad ha bit, and others will take up a new chall enge. Why not get sponsored for tur ning over your new leaf and raise money for Compassion at the sam e time? For more information an d other ideas on how you can help rai se money for Compassion please Ge t in Touch with the Supporter Engageme nt Team.
Dil, Jam es an d Nathan fro m Team Co mp assion finish this year’s Lo nd on to Br ighton cycle rid e.
le of eds from the sa ce ro p , ar ye y Ever cards are n’s Christmas va lle u ’S O r te re charities: Sir Pe x animal welfa si n ee w et b e Blue Cross, shared d Farming, Th rl o W in n o si Horse Welfare Compas elfare, World W g in ac R , ke Centre. The Broo Rehabilitation d re b h g u ro o and the Th raw ford ted by Susan C n ai p as w n” io TMAS. “Two in a Mill HAPPY CHRIS s ad re e d si in ge and costs and the messa ith envelopes w s rd ca 10 ains Each pack cont . p) & p l. 10) £7.50 (exc g card (pack of in et re g a as also available message. The design is for your own e d si in k n la b and left , Red Dot, Agnes Zauner to er rd o r u ail Please post yo n SE21 8DY; em o d n Lo , ad o R 333 1411. 63 Rosendale lephone 020 8 te r o m co k. .u ia mail@red.med
GET IN TOUCH! Contact the supporter engagement team on: Tel: 01483 521 953 (9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday) Email: supporters@ciwf.org.uk Visit: ciwf.org.uk