RSPCA research shows public wants ban on illegal
eggs ~ Research by the RSPCA has revealed that almost eight out of ten
people in England and Wales (78 per cent) want action to stop eggs laid by
hens in illegal barren battery cages coming into the UK.
Thursday, 1 December 2011
On 1 January 2012 it will be illegal
for farmers across Europe to keep hens in conventional barren battery
cages. Farmers in the UK are believed to be prepared for the new law but
elsewhere in Europe a large number of producers are not ready - meaning an
estimated 84 millions hens* will still be kept in cruel cramped cages
below even minimum welfare requirements.
YouGov survey about hen welfare has revealed that 78 per cent of people in
England and Wales would support a trade ban on illegal eggs.
With just a month to go until the barren battery cage ban the RSPCA is
calling for the dithering European Commission to take action.
David Bowles, director of communications at the RSPCA, said: “We want
quick, decisive action to stop the trade in these illegal eggs as well as
rigorous enforcement of the new legislation and tough penalties for those
farmers flouting it.
“Shoppers are increasingly buying higher welfare eggs in the supermarket –
allowing illegal eggs into the UK would be a slap in the face for the
public and a backward step for millions of hens. The RSPCA wants to see
action now – before it’s too late.”
The Welfare of Laying Hens Directive outlaws the use of conventional
barren battery cages in favour of other systems - barn, free-range,
organic or so-called ‘enriched’ cages.
‘Enriched’ cages give hens a nesting, scratching and perching area and a
little bit more usable space, but still amounting to less than an A4 sheet
of paper per bird. The RSPCA believes no hen should be kept in a cage but
the new legislation is a step in the right direction.
Most whole eggs on sale in the UK are laid by British hens so are expected
to be perfectly legal however it may be more difficult to trace the origin
of any imported liquid egg used as ingredients in products, particularly
because some European producers may have a mix of some legal and illegal
cages at the same farm.
The RSPCA want the new battery cage legislation to be strictly enforced by
European Union member states, however it can take more than a year to
bring a case to the European Court of Justice and in the meantime millions
of illegal eggs laid by hens kept in illegal conditions could be used as
ingredients in products which find their ways on to the shelves in the UK.
To stop this happening the RSPCA wants to see a trade ban imposed to stop
illegal eggs being sold outside the country where they were produced.
Alice Clark, senior scientific officer at the RSPCA, said: “Farmers have
had 13 years to get rid of their cruel barren battery cages, there really
is no excuse for any producer to still be using them after the deadline.
“This historic piece of legislation is meant to improve the lives of
millions of hens, it’s outrageous that next year almost a quarter of all
egg production in Europe* is expected to come from illegal barren battery
cages.
“It adds insult to injury that with just a month to go there is no measure
in place at a European or member state level to stop these illegal eggs,
coming into the UK whole or as ingredients in food such quiches,
ready-meals and cakes.”
To find out more about our campaign against cages, or how to contact
politicians to call for a trade ban, log on: http://www.rspca.org.uk/eggs
Help sickly seals and chilly hedgehogs this
Christmas Give British wildlife a boost with an RSPCA virtual gift ~
Stuck for present ideas this festive season? How
about financing some fish soup to help rehabilitate a poorly seal, or
microwavable blankets to reheat underweight hedgehogs at risk from the
winter cold.
Tuesday 22 November 2011
These virtual gifts from the RSPCA –
www.gifts.rspca.org.uk - are just two ways the public can help the
charity care for the multitude of needy wild animals that come through its
doors each year – from pipistrelle bats and snowy owls, to fallow deer,
warblers, badgers and herons.
In 2010, about 1700 hedgehogs were cared for by the RSPCA’s wildlife
centres, with many kept warm thanks to a cosy snuggle pad – available for
£15 as an unusual but much coveted present for hoglets (baby hedgehogs)
such as these pictured.
“Young hedgehogs can come into our care after being orphaned or through
the colder months if they haven’t managed to reach a suitable weight for
hibernation. Hoglets born later in the year can need a bit of TLC and some
extra food to get them through the winter,” said Sophie Adwick, RSPCA
wildlife scientist.
“The treatment we offer to wild animals will
vary according to the species and the problem, but the care we provide can
definitely be enhanced through the extra funding our virtual gifts raise.
So these Christmas presents really can make a difference,” she added.
As a snapshot, last year the four RSPCA wildlife centres cared for around
215 seals, 300 foxes, 156 badgers, and 75 deer. A huge number and variety
of birds also come into RSPCA care; and this is only the wildlife! The
RSPCA also helps many, many pets, horses, donkeys and farm animals in
need.
So what’s on offer from the RSPCA for discerning shoppers with a
conscience this Christmas?
· £26 will pay for a fish soup for seals too sick or small to swallow
their catch whole
· £100 will fund a new incubator, to help young wildlife survive
· £10 will cover one night’s bed and breakfast for a lost cat or dog
· £15 will help finance an investigation to break up a dog fighting ring
· £40 will get a pair of cow ‘shoofs’: breathable shoe bandages for a lame
cow’s hooves.
Shoppers simply visit
www.gifts.rspca.org.uk, choose a present, select whether the recipient
should have a printed or emailed card, and add a personalised message.
Other gifts, both virtual and physical, along with a range of Christmas
cards are also available on the website.
RSPCA calls for CCTV in every slaughterhouse ~ The
RSPCA welcomes efforts to encourage slaughterhouses to install CCTV
cameras but wants to see the measure made compulsory in all abattoirs.
Wednesday 16 November 2011
Dr Marc Cooper, senior
scientific manager from the RSPCA’s farm animals science team was asked to
address the FSA Board meeting yesterday (TUES) about the RSPCA’s views on
CCTV in slaughterhouses.
The board members resolved to continue encouraging abattoirs to install
CCTV systems and approved some guidelines for best practice. But the FSA
said it needed more information before it recommended to Government
ministers that CCTV should be compulsory in all slaughterhouses.
Speaking after the meeting Dr Cooper said: “The RSPCA is pleased the FSA
is encouraging the installation of CCTV cameras in slaughterhouses but we
would like it to be mandatory in all abattoirs.
“The public has a right to expect that all farmed animals have as painless
and humane an end to their lives as possible. We know this is an issue of
huge importance to our supporters and the general public.
“The RSPCA firmly believes CCTV in slaughterhouses can be a good
additional tool to help improve animal welfare. This is why we made it a
requirement within the RSPCA farm animal standards that all abattoirs
which are members of the Freedom Food scheme installed CCTV cameras by the
start of this month (NOV).
“Many major supermarkets are already demanding CCTV in the slaughterhouses
from which they source the meat they sell and abattoirs themselves
recognise the benefits of having cameras in place.
“Not only are cameras a good deterrent against acts of animal cruelty and
poor practices but they also have very positive uses, as a security
measure and as a useful training aid for slaughter men, vets and meat
hygiene inspectors to ensure standards are maintained.
“Obviously cameras should not be used as the only means of safeguarding
animal welfare and they can never replace good training and competent
staff.”
The RSPCA has strongly encouraged abattoirs to install CCTV systems for
many years. As of 1 November 2011 it is mandatory for all abattoirs in the
Freedom Food scheme have CCTV cameras giving a clear view of animals in
several crucial areas of the abattoir, from the animals being unloaded on
arrival through to death.
The footage must be kept for at least three months and must be available
to be viewed by Freedom Food field assessors or RSPCA farm livestock
officers during routine and unannounced visits.
Under forthcoming EU legislation as of January 2013 all abattoirs in the
UK will have to employ a specially trained Animal Welfare Officer to
oversee the welfare of all animals at the slaughterhouse – an important
development originally called for by the RSPCA.
Dr Cooper added: “EU Governments listened to the RSPCA’s call for the
appointment of animal welfare officers and we now hope that the FSA will
recommend to UK ministers that CCTV cameras should be compulsory in all
slaughterhouses.
“We firmly believe it will make the slaughter process more transparent and
improve welfare for hundreds of millions of farm animals in the UK.”
Governments must be good eggs and stand up for hen
welfare ~ The RSPCA today warned that time is running out to
protect shoppers from illegal eggs which will not meet minimum welfare
standards.
Tuesday 1 November
2011
European Union member states agreed back in 1999 to outlaw keeping hens in
conventional battery cages by 1 January 2012.
All producers in the UK are expected to be ready for the new law but,
despite having more than 12 years to change, about a third of cage eggs
from elsewhere in Europe are not expected to come from systems that comply
with the new legislation – meaning about 84 million hens* will still be
kept in illegal conventional battery cages.
Today (NOV 1) – with just two months until the change in law – the RSPCA
is calling on Defra and the Welsh Government** to ensure importers and
food manufacturers have robust traceability processes in place and set up
a rigorous checking mechanism to ensure only legal eggs and egg products
are imported.
Alice Clark, senior scientist from the RSPCA farm animals department,
said: “Defra and the Welsh Government need to take decisive and tough
action to stop any illegal eggs entering into the UK from elsewhere in
Europe and undermining this important legislation advance in animal
welfare.
“If nothing is done to stop these illegal eggs coming in the UK it could
be seen as rewarding producers who are still using cruel conventional
battery cages.
“There is a real danger that shoppers will unwittingly buy illegal eggs,
which will not even meet minimum welfare standards.
“It will be particularly difficult to trace illegal eggs when they’ve been
used as ingredients in foods such as ready meals, sandwiches, cakes and
Yorkshire puddings, where they don’t have to be labelled with production
system or country of origin.
“The RSPCA has been campaigning for more than three decades to end the use
of cages and this new legislation is a step in the right direction, but
time is running out to take action to protect shoppers from illegal eggs.”
The Welfare of Laying Hens Directive outlaws the use of conventional
battery cages in favour of other systems such as free-range and barn but
does still allow so-called ‘enriched’ battery cages which although they
have slightly more space, a scratching area, nesting area and perch, still
provide less usable space than an A4 sheet of paper for each hen.
‘Enriched’ cages still impose a severe restriction and do not allow the
birds to carry out all their natural behaviours like dustbathing and
foraging properly.
The RSPCA does not believe hens should be kept in cages at all and has
been very pleased to see demand for eggs from barn, free-range and organic
systems rising significantly since the 1990s.
The UK has about 34 million hens laying around nine thousand million eggs
every year. About 80 per cent of the eggs consumed in the UK were laid
here, the remaining 20 per cent come from abroad and potentially illegal
systems, and are mostly used as an ingredient in food. *
There are half a dozen acts which could help combat illegal eggs:
� The European Commission to allow member states to implement an intra
community trade ban to stop illegal eggs being traded outside the
countries where they were laid.
� Defra and the Welsh Government to announce immediate action to protect
consumers from buying or consuming illegal eggs by setting up a rigorous
checking mechanism to ensure only legal eggs and egg products are allowed
into the UK from elsewhere in Europe.
� Defra to work with member states which are expected to have
non-compliant producers to prevent illegal eggs entering the UK.
� Food processors, manufacturers and supermarkets to have robust
traceability systems in place to ensure that eggs (usually liquid) used as
ingredients are not illegal, especially when some sources may have both
conventional and enriched battery cages on site.
� The European Commission to take swift action with meaningful financial
penalties against any countries with non-compliant egg producers after 1
January 2012.
� Shoppers to buy cage-free eggs in a bid to be sure they are not
supporting producers with illegal battery cages.
The RSPCA encourages shoppers to buy
eggs from cage-free hens – such as barn, free-range and organic, and if
they have a Freedom Food logo on the box it means they come from farms
inspected to the RSPCA’s strict welfare standards.
Foods such as cakes or mayonnaise made with free-range eggs will often be
clearly advertised with the information on the packaging or in the
ingredients list.
Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and The Co-operative use free range
eggs in their own brand products or shoppers can look for Extra Special
from Asda, The Best from Morrisons and The Finest range from Tesco.
To find out more about our campaign against cages, or how to contact
politicians, log on:
http://www.giveanimalsavoice.org.uk/campaigns/laying-hens/
Ex-police dog handler sentenced for allowing two
dogs to die in his car Wednesday
12 October 2011
A Met Police dog handler has been
banned from keeping dogs for three years following the death of his
two dogs that he left trapped in his car on a hot day in June.
Westminster Magistrates Court heard today (Wednesday) that on Sunday
26 June Ian Craven, who was at the time a sergeant with the
Metropolitan Police, brought his dogs to the Keston Dog Training
Centre in Kent.
He was due to spend the day at the Olympic site in London in meetings,
so had intended to kennel his dogs – a four-year-old Malinois called
Chay and a six-month-old German Shepherd dog called Tilly - at Keston
before leaving. However, the court was told he forgot they were in his
car, which was parked out of sight of police staff, and left Keston
for London.
Magistrates heard that when he realised several hours later that his
dogs were in his vehicle he got in touch with the dog training centre
and staff tried to break into his car to release the dogs.
Both dogs had been left in the hot car for several hours and were
extremely ill when staff discovered them. They were rushed to a nearby
vet but, despite attempts to save them, Tilly died naturally and Chay
was put to sleep shortly after to prevent further suffering. The cause
of death was given as heat stroke and hyperthermia.
Met Office information showed the temperature that day was up to 16.1
degrees centigrade at 7am, and had risen to 22.6 degrees centigrade by
11am.
The court heard that in a previous incident in 2004, Craven had left a
spaniel in a hot car at Keston that had also died.
Craven admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering under
section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act.
RSPCA chief inspector Dermot Murphy said: “When this incident happened
the RSPCA was asked by the Metropolitan Police Service to conduct the
investigation.
“Throughout the investigation the RSPCA has received total cooperation
from the Metropolitan Police and any information or evidence that we
have requested has been provided to us. I would like to put on record
my appreciation to them for this cooperation in what has been a
distressing case for all concerned.
“Ian Craven for the second time, left dogs in his vehicle, on a hot
day and forgot about them. This is an unacceptable action and one that
is aggravated by the fact that he was a professional dog handler and
trainer at the time of the incident.
“The suffering that both Chay and Tilly would have experienced would
have been substantial as they overheated in his vehicle. Ian Craven’s
negligent actions caused the suffering and death of the dogs Chay and
Tilly.
“The court has recognised this and has sentenced him accordingly.
“The RSPCA encounters too many situations every year where dogs have
been left in vehicles in situations where they overheat. Dogs should
never be left alone in cars on a warm day.”
Craven said in mitigation that the incident had left him with a huge
sense of shame and embarrassment.
RSPCA call for live transport boat licence to be revoked
Tuesday 4 October 2011
The RSPCA is calling for a boat being used to transport animals from the UK to
France to have its licence revoked.
The Joline has been transporting calves and sheep from Ramsgate in Kent since
May this year (2011) after a livestock ramp at Dover port was damaged.
The RSPCA has serious concerns about the boat – which has been photographed with
pictures of popular children’s character Shaun the Sheep on the funnels.
Julia Wrathall, head of the RSPCA’s farm animal science team, said: “The RSPCA
is completely opposed to the long-distance transport of live animals for further
fattening and slaughter because it is unnecessary and can result in serious
stress and suffering.
“Research has shown that animals, particularly calves under four-weeks-old, can
suffer fatigue, dehydration, distress and in extreme cases death during long
journeys, particularly as the law allows them to travel at temperatures up to 35
degrees.
“The RSPCA has very serious concerns about the Joline as it has an average speed
of just six knots (7mph) and has taken up to six hours to get from Ramsgate to
Calais – almost double the journey time from Dover.
“The ship has a very shallow bottom making it unsteady in rough sea conditions
and further causing suffering to animals onboard, which legally could be calves
as young as 14-days-old.
“The design of the ship coupled with the journey time and the likelihood that
sea conditions will worsen over winter, means that the Joline is completely
unsuitable and should not be used to transport animals.”
In the 1990s about 500,000 calves a year were being transported from the UK to
the continent but trade stopped for a decade in 1996 due to fears of spreading
BSE and later in 2008 the Dutch imposed an import ban on British calves due to
fears over Bovine TB.
The RSPCA has been successfully working with other charities, retailers and
industry over the past five years to find alternatives to transporting male
dairy calves to Europe, such as producing higher welfare rose veal and beef.
Live trade started again in May 2006 with Animal Health figures showing in 2009
that 437,085 live animals were transported from the UK for further fattening and
slaughter – some destined to be reared in conditions which would be illegal in
the UK.
The Latvian-registered roll-on roll-off boat was originally built to transport
tanks across rivers and has been upgraded for ocean transit.
Shipping data has shown that the Joline has taken up to six hours to cross the
channel from Ramsgate.
The legal journey time for unweaned calves is nine hours with an hour rest and
then a further nine hours travel. For sheep can travel for 14 hours with an hour
rest and another 14 hours travel. The rest stop is onboard the lorry but it
cannot be on the boat.
Julia Wrathall said: “The boat already has a long journey time across the
channel, any hold-up in port or during the trip could put the hauliers in danger
of breaking EU laws governing journey times as well as increasing the risk of
welfare problems for the animals onboard.”
The RSPCA is calling for an eight-hour journey time limit when live transport
rules are reviewed by the EU later this year (2011).
We also believe animals should be slaughtered as close to their point of origin
as possible and are in favour of a carcass-only trade.
The RSPCA is calling on Animal Health to revoke the boat’s licence to carry live
animals and for campaigners to visit the RSPCA website to support a petition (www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaigns/livetransport/-/article/CAM_livetransportation)
calling for a maximum eight hour journey time.
Take
extra care to stop cats dying from antifreeze poisoning
12.01.11
We
are calling on the public and all antifreeze manufacturers to ensure that
this winter does not have fatal consequences for cats.
Following the tragic case of five cats dying from antifreeze poisoning on
the same day in Norwich on 30 December, we are renewing our plea for the
public to take extra care when using the product.
Increase in cases of antifreeze poisoning
We are dealing with more and more cases of cats suffering from
antifreeze poisoning every year. In 2007, we took 41 calls but by 2009
this had shot up to 259. By November last year, 248 calls had already been
taken.
The chemical ethylene glycol, found in some household brands of
antifreeze, has potentially lethal consequences when ingested by cats.
Cats seem to enjoy the taste of this ingredient but they can soon suffer
agonising deaths if they eat or drink it.
RSPCA scientific officer for companion animals, Dr Kerry Westwood said:
Every year the RSPCA is made aware of tragic incidences where cats are
sadly believed to have died from ingesting antifreeze and we are deeply
concerned and saddened by this.
Many of us are not aware of just how toxic antifreeze is so it’s really
important that we all take care when using, storing and disposing of it.
It could save an animal from an incredibly painful death.
Disposing of antifreeze responsibly
The public should take extra care when using antifreeze to avoid
spillages or leaks as cats could be lapping it up, either neat or when
water coolant leaks from car radiators.
Left over antifreeze and water coolant should also be disposed of
responsibly. The safest way is to take it in a suitable container to a
council refuse site which should have facilities for disposing of
hazardous fluids.
There are concerns that cases of antifreeze poisoning could be deliberate.
Under the Animal Welfare Act, those found guilty of causing unnecessary
suffering face a maximum £20,000 fine and/or six months in prison.
Preventing antifreeze poisonings
One of the main manufacturers of antifreeze has taken steps to try and
prevent poisonings occurring. Comma Oil, which supplies antifreeze to
companies including Halfords, has added an ingredient to make it
unpleasant to swallow the product.
However, there is currently no legislation to make such additives a
requirement. There is also no law governing how people should dispose of
antifreeze when it is used domestically.
Dealing with suspected antifreeze poisoning
After ingesting antifreeze, cats can suffer symptoms including
vomiting, seizures, appearing drunk and sleepy and an increased breathing
rate. They will also often try to drink more fluids.
Owners should contact a vet immediately if they suspect that their pet may
have been in contact with the chemical or if they see any warning signs or
symptoms. The sooner the cat is treated, the better their chances of
surviving.
If anyone has any information about suspected antifreeze poisonings they
can contact the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 1234 999.
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