what has changed
Originally from: coleen
Whether the Animal Health Bill becomes law or not, (who would bet it will not), we already kill thousands upon thousands of animals in this Country – those we do not kill in this Country we send for export abroad to face death at the hands of some inhumane slaughterer.
Year after year countless numbers of unwanted cats and dogs get destroyed – not because they are ill – but because no one wants them. We send countless horses abroad to Countries that see no wrong in eating their meat. We wipe out countless numbers of wild animals. The list goes on. What, if anything, do the majority of people care about that. The people who work tirelessly in Rescue do what they do – year after year. Saving the few that they can – space and finances always dictating what they can and cannot do.
What I am going to say – is not to cause a fight, but rather how I see this Country's very hypocritical view point on 'animal welfare'. Can we honestly say with hand on our hearts that if not for foot mouth any changes brought about towards the animals keeping and welfare would have gone largely unnoticed. Welfare reform was on the cards – before foot and mouth. How many of us would have either put pen to paper, marched, made telephone calls, etc, etc – to save the small Rescue down the road from us, if it faced closure and its animals slaughtered?
How many of us go to protest against live exports (I know several who do on the group). I do not want animals suffering either for food or sport. Friends/protesters tell me that the lorries leave the docks at 4.00am these days to avoid the protesters and the media attention. Can this really be acceptable? What are we doing to stop that?
What is it about the Bill that we loath, the fact that it comes from the Government and gives them – not US, the right to say which animals shall be slaughtered. Irrespective of the fact we already kill 'healthy' animals here in the UK. (I do not refer to animals in the food chain).
I am sad that people like Sue (Remus Horse Sanctuary) who work tirelessly to save and promote good animal welfare along with many others might be faced someday with the consequences of this Bill. But, I feel that our lax approach to welfare, breeding and export is partly to blame and has led us down this road. Many people have always put profit as the main objective – sadly the animals always end up paying the ultimate price.
Coleen
Originally from: Hilary Peters
Dear Coleen,
What you say is absolutely true. I have been brooding a lot along the same lines recently. And yet, I think there is another reason for people's silence.
They can't bear to face the suffering.
I do really think the vast majority would prefer their meat to have had a happy life, prefer not to inflict suffering, prefer not to hear about it. Then along come the greedy few who do put profit before kindness and the very small minority who enjoy suffering, and they play on this fear of suffering that most of us have.
The trouble with protest is that it evokes a backlash. You just get a situation where people are screaming at eachother from opposite sides of the fence.
What I am trying to do (and I know it's pretty pathetic) is to bring about a change in public opinion. (It's not impossible. Look at drink driving. Look at recycling)
If everyone thought the quality of farm animals' lives was more important than cheap food, if the first question they asked was "was it free range?" or "how far did it have to travel to be killed?" things would change. Laws don't change public opinion. It's the other way round.
All the best,
Hilary
Originally from: Joyce
Dear Hilary,
I have been putting the link to your diary onto LAWS forum and it is meeting with a really good response, so please carry on your good work!
Love,
Joyce
Originally from: coleen
Dear Hilary
I read your report on better animal welfare on Warmwell – and I think you are spot on. What you are saying and trying to do is not 'pathetic'. We are never going to stop this Bill, so perhaps to alter the way people view keeping and breeding animals is the path to go down. Not just livestock either. We cannot go on churning animals out to meet the needs (again not just talking about farming here)
Like I wrote in my previous email there was a 'welfare reform bill' on the cards before foot and mouth. Sancutaries, Rescues etc were going to be looked at and possibly made to become licensed. This has all know been lumped under the new Bill.I for one am not sure how they are going to find the time or the resources to man such a vast task! Just reading the Bill – tells you they do not have a clue. The only parell is the 1999 AnimalsWelfare Act which was meant to curb puppy farming and help the countless animals that are bred into this trade. It is a shambles! Even local Councils do not know what they can and cannot imply regarding this Act – so they usually just grant even more pet shop liceses to people who want to sell these poor puppies.
There was a small item on the news yesterday that 'fair trade' sales products imported from poorer Countries had risen by 40% last year, and that more people said they would be prepared to pay even more if it gave a better quality of life to people in those Countries. How to police this – and stop unscrupulous dealers jumping on the band wagon was the cause of concern.
We tried it here (with the RSPCA's) freedom food, it was found to be corrupt. But, if, as the example above proves – and that people will pay more for a more humane and friendly product, why then can we not do it properly here regarding animals.
I think your diary makes wonderful reading and a fresh insight into old problems. I really enjoy reading it.
Coleen
Originally from: Hilary Peters
Thanks, Coleen,
Please tell me more about Freedom Food. People round here seem to think it is well policed, though sometimes unreasonable – like not using Earsham slaughter house. How and where was it found to be corrupt?
All the best,
Hilary
Originally from: Quita
Dear Hilary,
There was a lot of adverse publicity re Freedom Foods, on TV and in press, but don't have links now. However, if you visit
www.webtribe.net/f/freedomfood
you will find out some information. Will let you know if I find any more.
Great diary! Great idea! And I agree with so much that you've been saying! Love,
Quita
Originally from: Quita
Dear Hilary,
There was a lot of adverse publicity re Freedom Foods, on TV and in press, but don't have links now. However, if you visit
www.webtribe.net/f/freedomfood
you will find out some information. Will let you know if I find any more.
Great diary! Great idea! And I agree with so much that you've been saying! Love,
Quita
Originally from: Pat Gardiner
You may find this helpful and intriguing.
Long ago, I collected the following url and associated report. As far as I know it is genuine. The url no longer leads to the story which seems untracable on the BBC site
http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/reports/foodanddrink/index2.shtml?rpt15
Watchdog 25.10.01
After years of crisis in the farming industry, consumers care more than ever about how our food is produced – the number one issue being animal welfare.
Freedom Foods is the RSPCA’s answer. Over 2,000 Freedom Food farms supply thousands of supermarkets throughout the UK with eggs, meat and dairy products.
When Watchdog asked shoppers on the High Street what they believed the Freedom Food mark meant, most thought of free range animals living in large open spaces.
The Freedom Foods standards are based on five freedoms for farm animals:
Freedom from fear and distress
Freedom from pain, injury and disease
Freedom from hunger and thirst
Freedom from discomfort
Freedom to express normal behaviour
However, when Watchdog filmed in farms adhering to the Freedom Foods guidelines, researchers found conditions that did not meet what the name implies.
Watchdog has discovered that some members of the RSPCA’s ruling council are extremely worried about Freedom Foods. One of them agreed to be interviewed by Watchdog, but only on the condition that an actor was used to protect their identity. They told the programme:
"Freedom Foods is not compatible with the RSPCA ethic of animal welfare. Farming is an intensive industry and an animal welfare charity shouldn’t be in there taking part in it."
Watchdog filmed Freedom Foods pigs which have had their tails cut – a painful process which is against RSPCA principles. It is allowed by Freedom Foods in certain circumstances as it stops tail biting, but some animals experts say it’s the wrong way to deal with the problem. Francis Blake, Standards and Technical Director at the Soil Association told Watchdog the cause is boredom and the proper way to deal with it is to let the pigs outside and give them plenty of activity.
" Many of the pigs had to sleep in mud and their own excrement. " Freedom Foods also set standards for space, but the area set for a pig to live in is no more than the Government minimum standard. At one farm Watchdog found there were so many pigs in the pen, there was not enough dry straw for them to lie on. Many of the pigs had to sleep in mud and their own excrement.
According to Freedom Foods, a chicken can be allocated as little as 38 centimetres square in a barn to live in. Secret footage filmed at a Freedom Food chicken farm last year and supplied to Watchdog by Hillside Animal Sanctuary in Norfolk, showed viewers just how overcrowded this can be.
Regards Pat Gardiner
Originally from: Pat Gardiner
I know it is bad form to reply to oneself but I can now confirm that the story below does seem genuine and seems to have been changed and later removed by the BBC.
This is pasted from Google using the search string "freedom foods" watchdog
BBC – Watchdog – Reports – Food and Drink
... RSPCA?s Director General told Watchdog: "Freedom Foods is the most heavily audited system ... food safety issues, decide on what to cook in your kitchen with BBC ... www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/reports/foodanddrink/ index2.shtml?rpt15 – 36k – Cached – Similar pages
BBC – Watchdog – Reports – RSPCA Freedom Food
... FREEDOM FOODS. Watchdog 25.10.01. After years of crisis in the farming industry, consumers care more than ever about how our food is produced – the number one ...
Then there is this
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/02/07/nrspca07.xml
Hard-up RSPCA finds thousands to hunt for mole
By Thomas Penny
(Filed: 07/02/2002)
THE RSPCA is spending tens of thousands of pounds on an investigation into its ruling council after a member spoke anonymously to the BBC about the charity's Freedom Food scheme.
The society claims that it has lost a "substantial" amount of money in cancelled donations, legacies and memberships after an edition of the television programme Watchdog in which the council member took part.
...She added that the RSPCA had made a complaint to the BBC about Watchdog and defended the record of the Freedom Food scheme, which is run by a company wholly owned by the RSPCA.
ooooooo
Pat's Comment: It looks as if the BBC removed the report following complaints.
Originally from: David
It is a bit too true to be funny Richard.
According to the Western Daily Press, school children are too embarassed at school to admit that their parents are farmers.
Such is the success of the Government's campaign against farmers that their children are ashamed of their parents who (are [what?] 2% of the population) – and producing 50% of the food for 60 million people. It is time teachers started teaching kids that this is a FANTASTIC achievment!!
Perhaps you could find out how many tonnes or what value that is Richard. If we spend ?50 a week on food, half would be ?25 per week or ?78,000,000,000 per year. Is that ?78bn? and the Govt is moaning about spending ?2bn to ensure continuity of supply!!
I've no idea if my facts are an underestimate or an overestimate but I think there is ample scope for putting the case that British farmers are doing an excellent job. Now how much are the farmers earning? – is it ?4,500 a year or did someone say it has gone up to ?10,000? Certainly well below the minimum wage!
D
Originally from: David
Pat,
These are what we refer to as the "Five Freedoms" and are part of the National Farm Assurance Scheme for dairy farmers.
Freedom from fear and distress
Freedom from pain, injury and disease
Freedom from hunger and thirst
Freedom from discomfort
Freedom to express normal behaviour
We have always taken pride in giving the best possible care to our herd but on one of our open days (many years ago) I entertained a group of school children on the farm. One child popped up with this question – "do you adhere to the Five Freedoms". Now this is sort of embarassing because i had to admit I didn't know what the "Five Freedoms" were. The teacher (who had armed these kids with a list of questions) stepped in to tell me what they were. I was then able to ay that I had been adhereing to the "Five Freedoms" all my life – because these are the basic requirements if you want cows to milk well.
I only wish that farmers and their families could be given the same freedoms as the animals. I am in fear and distress every time the post or the bank statement arrives, the pain from almost losing my finger due to trying to do too much, too quickly is still with me, I am always thirsty and hungry when there is too many animals to feed and milk before breakfast, I am suffering discomfort by working seven days a week and my wife says my behaviour is no longer normal when I come in from work!
David
Originally from: Pat Gardiner
Hello David
I’m quite sure you are right and you have much sympathy and understanding. My afternoon was spent repairing a fence the cow decided to destroy and helping Mrs P attend to an ear-tag replacement.
I’m lucky not having to depend on farming for my living.
You will note that the article quoted refers specifically to pigs and poultry, not cattle.
I had visited a number of pig farms both intensive and outdoor prior to the CSF outbreak. All were pristine, with the animals well cared for – and have said as much publicly. I have been to market on an animal transporter – again good conditions during transit, on the farm and at the market.
Although, there were said to be some places and transport with bad conditions, always pigs and poultry, I have never witnessed anything untoward myself.
All my writings, which are now voluminous, make that sympathy and view quite clear.
My complaints are strictly directed at MAFF and the State Veterinary Service based on bitter personal experience and observation. Farmers tell me that they are too afraid of MAFF-Defra’s retribution taking away their living to dare complain.
Page Street know we are clean, obey the rules and don’t give a damn for their attempts to bully me into silence and that we will always go back after them when they try.
It has since become quite clear that prior to CSF and FMD there were many animal welfare complaints, relating to pigs, that the SVS decided to ignore. These were concentrated in the industrial “factory farming” sector and the allegations include sites covered by the Freedom Food scheme.
The people involved are not farmers even though they may use that term when it suits them. They hide behind you and, if these allegations are justified, outrage me and disgust everyone.
The fact that the RSPCA is in some disarray on the subject seems to be of relevance to the topic being discussed. I’m quoting the BBC, not some way out vegetarian group. The fact that they seem to gave given into pressure and withdrawn some of the material is interesting.
The fact that the farming community has been encouraged to believe that I’m some kind of enemy to livestock farmers does not make it true.
Regards (and commiseration)
Pat Gardiner
Originally from: Burkie
Dear David: You missed one.....so there are Six.
The Freedom to Throw in the Towel and Quit.
That seems to be New Labour's goal as far as its Farm Policy is concerned.....make life so miserable for you guys that you just puke it all up and say "I've had enough of this non-sense." And when you do ...Labour will be there to collect the money.
All the Best,
Burkie in Kansas
Originally from: Pat Gardiner
Hello David
I’m quite sure you are right and you have much sympathy and understanding. My afternoon was spent repairing a fence the cow decided to destroy and helping Mrs P attend to an ear-tag replacement.
I’m lucky not having to depend on farming for my living.
You will note that the article quoted refers specifically to pigs and poultry, not cattle.
I had visited a number of pig farms both intensive and outdoor prior to the CSF outbreak. All were pristine, with the animals well cared for – and have said as much publicly. I have been to market on an animal transporter – again good conditions during transit, on the farm and at the market.
Although, there were said to be some places and transport with bad conditions, always pigs and poultry, I have never witnessed anything untoward myself.
All my writings, which are now voluminous, make that sympathy and view quite clear.
My complaints are strictly directed at MAFF and the State Veterinary Service based on bitter personal experience and observation. Farmers tell me that they are too afraid of MAFF-Defra’s retribution taking away their living to dare complain.
Page Street know we are clean, obey the rules and don’t give a damn for their attempts to bully me into silence and that we will always go back after them when they try.
It has since become quite clear that prior to CSF and FMD there were many animal welfare complaints, relating to pigs, that the SVS decided to ignore. These were concentrated in the industrial “factory farming” sector and the allegations include sites covered by the Freedom Food scheme.
The people involved are not farmers even though they may use that term when it suits them. They hide behind you and, if these allegations are justified, outrage me and disgust everyone.
The fact that the RSPCA is in some disarray on the subject seems to be of relevance to the topic being discussed. I’m quoting the BBC, not some way out vegetarian group. The fact that they seem to gave given into pressure and withdrawn some of the material is interesting.
The fact that the farming community has been encouraged to believe that I’m some kind of enemy to livestock farmers does not make it true.
Regards (and commiseration)
Pat Gardiner
Originally from: David
"The Freedom to Throw in the Towel and Quit".
That day is closer now than during FMD2001.
D
Originally from: Bill
Blair's pals at Sainsbury's will be downing a few glasses of champers now the Irish have voted to enlarge the E.U.
The other big money if favour of E.U. enlargement is from the drug companies who will now have a much larger captive market.
Watch out for a lot more laws banning natural prevention and cure of diseases.
Bill.
Originally from: Hilary Peters
Thank you very much, Quita.
I asked the RSPCA repeatedly to give me a list of Freedom Food accredited farms and they never replied, which made me fear the worst. However, in Suffolk, they still seem to be accepted.
Love,
Hilary
Originally from: Hilary Peters
Many thanks Pat.
There is also a lot of adverse publicity from Australia. RSPCA here deny any responsibility for branches in other countries.
Obviously the five freedoms are less than ideal and any examination of the "free range" movement uncovers anomalies, but perhaps it's a start.
Even if people try to get round the rules, and succeed, the fact that the eating public want animals to be treated decently is a step forward. If everyone wanted that, there would be no more problem.
All the best,
Hilary
Originally from: Joyce
I really had hoped that the Irish would have had more sense!
Joyce
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