Help Australian Sheep

Source.

I am absolutely disgusted to hear of the way millions of sheep in Australia are treated when they are not able to produce enough wool to generate profits for farmers.  PETA reports that the sheep are sold for slaughter and forced to travel for weeks on end to the Middle East and North Africa on hot, multi-tiered ships where they endure weeks of misery.  If they survive the disgusting conditions on board they then face slaughter.

Back in 2005 PETA US and Australian activists released the results of an undercover investigation which exposed shocking cruelty to sheep.  The Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has insisted that the current regulatory system is working despite the fact that it was animal activists and not government officials that documented the cruelty.

Please sign this petition allowing PETA to continue to expose the horrors of the wool, meat and live export industries and to raise awareness and put pressure on decision makers to make the urgent changes needed to save the lives of animals.

Your signature really will make a difference, PETA and their affiliates have sparked an international outcry and resulted in promises of industry and government reform.  A growing number of retailers are moving away from wool from mulesed lambs or have banned it outright.

Countryfile: Dairy Farming

I watched an episode of Countryfile on BBC One on Sunday evening, I've watched a few episodes before but this particularly sparked my interest. Not only was the Devon scenery beautiful, there was an investigation into the dairy industry by John Craven who in particular looks at the practice of killing male calves and goats at birth and asks if there is an alternative. I found it difficult to watch, especially as the report was illustrated by images of newborn goats looking absolutely adorable. However, I am glad I did see it through to the end as it was so informative and has made me think.

Each year thousands of male calves, lambs and goat kids are killed because they are male and they can't be used for their milk and their meat is not seen as a high enough quality. Some sectors are making efforts to stop calves being killed shortly after birth but unfortunately it is still a real problem for goats and sheep.

Watch it here. (Limited time only)

For more information I suggest you visit Compassion in World Farming which highlights many important issues.

Within the episode there is also an interesting report on micro pigs. They are undoubtedly adorable but I haven't made my mind up about whether or no it is cruel to breed them so small.