Campaign Update: 8 Hours

 
Despite bringing you news of many of the campaigns run by various animal welfare organisations, I am not so good at updating you very regularly how said campaigns progress.  I hope to get better at doing this so I will start as I mean to go on and update you on the CIWF and RSPCA 8 hours campaign.

Thousands of people wrote to their MEP's back in January urging them to sign a Written Declaration calling for the establishment of a maximum 8 hour journey limit for live animals being transported.  Only 369 MEP signatures were needed but 394 signed the declaration which means it will now become an official position of the European Parliament.  This will put pressure on the Commission to reconsider the current rules in place.

This is more proof that when coming together we really can make changes, no matter how small.  The RSPCA quite rightly says that "it may be a small step towards change, but it means the world to the millions of animals who suffer during long distance live transport each year."

There is always work still to be done so whilst waiting for further updates, please sign the Number 10 Petition, if you haven't already, calling on the Government for a reform of live farm animal export laws.

Fresh Hope for Victims of Farm Animal Export

You may have read my previous posts regarding the export of live livestock through the port of Ramsgate.  According to CIWF, over 60,000 sheep, pigs and calves have suffered whilst been exported through the port within a 7 month period.

RSPCA have reported that their investigations have raised concerns that the boat used to transport the animals is not suitable and states that it is time to put an end to live farm animals being sent on long journeys to farms in Europe that, in the case of calves, could be considered illegal in the UK.


RSPCA continue by stating that "last year the European Commission report recommended no changes to the current rules on live animal transport.  Despite the depth of public feeling on the issue and the extreme conditions that animals, many as young as just two weeks old, are forced to endure."


However, there is fresh hope for animals!  

If the majority of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) sign the Written Declaration calling for the "establishment of a maximum 8-hour journey limit" by 15th March 2012 it will become an official position of the European Parliament.  This means only 369 signatures are needed, please click here to contact your MEP asking them to sign Written Declaration 0049/2011.  

If you haven't already, please sign this petition calling for Ramsgate to be allowed to cease trade from its port and for a limit of 8 hours to be put on the journey time that the animals endure.  

Remember people power and share this with your friends.

Thank you.

One Way Ticket, or 8 Hours Mark II

Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) is running a movement echoing that of the 8 Hours campaign conveying dismay at the immense suffering millions of animals endure whilst being transported across Europe, they have entitled the campaign One Way Ticket.

The CIWF website provides a link to the European Commission’s new report on the protection of live animals during transport and notes that it does not recommend any changes to the current legislation.  Read the report here.

The current legislation (Regulation 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport) points out that “Long journeys are likely to have more detrimental effects on the welfare of animals than short ones” and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released a scientific opinion this year which said transport of live animals, where possible should be avoided. (Taken from the CIWF website)

CIWF points out that although the report recognises parts of legislation are “not in line with current scientific knowledge” and that making sure the regulations are followed by members of the EU is a “major challenge” it does not propose any amendments to the legislation.

Read more…

Write to your MEP urging them to ask Commissioner John Dalli to recognise that a limit must be placed on the journey times animals are enduring and that the law is strongly enforced in every member state. (The link will take you to a readily prepared message)

Write to your MP asking for UK Parliament to update the law to allow British ports to ban cruel trades on the grounds of animal welfare and to amend the existing legislation in order to bring it up to date. (The link will take you to a readily prepared message)

Please note:  Like the 8 Hours campaign, the actions involving writing to MP’s and MEP’s are only for UK residents but the CIWF website has some advice for how you can help too and please do follow the actions below.

Sign the petition calling for the Government to take action to end live exports. (You can sign this no matter where you live)

Sign the 8 hours petition if you haven’t already.

Sign up for e-mail updates from CIWF

Join CIWF on Facebook

Join the Facebook page run by Ian Driver a local councillor who is trying to end live exports through the port of Ramsgate.

Only buy organic milk and dairy products and encourage your family and friends to do the same.

Support Kent Action Against Live Exports (KAALE) and their monthly demos on transport.

That's enough for you to be getting on with but if you have any more time to spare please remember to share this with your friends!

Thank you.

8 Hours Campaign

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) reports that millions of farm animals suffer from heat stress, disease and overcrowding whilst enduring transportation across long distances in Europe in hot, cramped and soiled cages with little food, water or rest.  Once they reach the end of their journey they are slaughtered.

WSPA states that live animals for slaughter should never be transported for more than 8 hours.

Please sign this petition to support the 8 Hours campaign and ask the European Commission to enforce legalisation preventing any farm animal from enduring more than 8 hours of transportation. 

WSPA hopes to reach 1 Million signatures by 5th January 2012.

Once you have signed the petition, please continue to make a difference by sharing the news on Facebook and Twitter encouraging your friends to do the same.

Thank you