LIVE EXPORTS HAVE STARTED AGAIN . . .
Please read this Farmed Animal Action report
Road to Hell Campaign
At 2.45am on Monday morning, the first transporters arrived at Dover carrying 2466 lambs destined to be exported to Europe - the first of up to 1million expected to go to the continent in the coming months. The hauliers (Jones and Edwards) transported the lambs from Wales through the night. On arrival at Dover, the drivers had to rest (poor things) because they had driven so far. The lambs were kept in the transporters at the side of the ferry, commissioned by Van Veen BV (who was responsible for the Bari tragedy a few years ago where 100's of sheep were left to fry to death on the jetty for 48 hours in the searing heat) . Eventually the lambs were loaded onto the ferry which left at 9.55am after a delay of almost 3 hours. Given an estimated journey time of 8 hours from Wales, the lambs had been in the transporters for a total of 15 hours - before they even left England! The lambs finally arrived in Holland at 1.50am. The port authorities at Dover denied any 'shipment' was taking place all weekend after constant enquiries. Further investigation confirmed on Sunday evening that the first live exports since the foot and mouth outbreak were indeed to go ahead.
Eyewitness Account
Monday 15th July 2002. We hang our heads in shame. Live exports has resumed. After a heavy day's work on Sunday, followed by a few hours sleep, we set off for Dover, tired but keen to join the protesters. It had been short notice. Cunningly short and they'd caught the animal rights movement napping, secure in the false knowledge that live exports wouldn't happen again. It would appear that the score on Monday was 1-0 to them. Monday 15th July 2002 gave every indication to the casual onlooker of being a beautiful day as dawn broke. Balmy and comfortable, a summer's day to enjoy. I was the day that live exports resumed. We'd barely made progress at all before we found the first casualty of the day - a baby rabbit that had obviously been hit by a vehicle. It was in the road, back legs paralysed. His screams filled the car even though we had no open windows. The few passing cars swerved to dodge the shrieking baby. We stopped, picked it up.... and then what? We had no alternative but to turn around, take the rabbit to the sanctuary vet and be late in Dover. It was a sickly strange start, a portent of things to come for Monday 15th July 2002 - the day live exports resumed. Eventually, 6.15am to be precise, we arrived at Dover. Farmed Animal Action had banners and leaflets. One of us stood on the roundabout - a one person demo. It didn't even constitute an illegal gathering - the others leafleted the car park. Kale investigated and passed on details and monitored the situation tirelessly. We managed to find the remaining 5 protesters (four had left after letting the drivers of the transporters know what they thought of them), high on the cliffs of Dover, watching the proceedings. On Monday 15th July 2002 - the day that live exports resumed, 2466 lambs were sent to their deaths after hours of living hell. Many of the protesters had been there all night and some stayed for many, many hours into the day. They tortured themselves watching, helplessly, the tortured. We joined them on the cliff top, feeding 20p coins into the telescope, like some sordid backstreet 'what the butler saw' machine and watched intently. The spring lambs were suddenly all too real as we saw them close up, lurching onto and over each other as they were shifted from transporter to boat in utter panic, trying desperately to escape their captors. They were funnelled into an area, their only escape route was to jump into a sort of ramp-come-chute to be delivered crushingly in all probability, into the dark, stinking hold of the boat. We could see them, almost see their faces and certainly their terror as they skidded in fear as they came off the transporter. Our spy glass telescope gave us 20p's worth of their hell. We fed the greedy machine, needed to see, needed to go to hell with them. The sun was high in the sky by the time they were loaded and it was heating up severely. We imagined what it must be like for those unsheared babies with their dense, man-induced, thick woolly coats in the heat of the bowels of the 'Caroline'. Some of them had stood on Dover Dock for about 6 hours, crammed in their filthy containers with urine raining down on the lambs on the lower level from the terrified ones above. Before this, they'd suffered a probable 8 hour journey from Wales to Dover. Nothing you might think compared to what was to come. They were headed for Holland. A long, hot, very stressful journey of around 16 hours across the North Sea, ending in all probability by being shackled by a back leg, throats slit, to die gasping and gurgling in their own blood in agony and fear. At 9.55am the 'Caroline' left Dover and so did we. We needed to get back to the sanctuary, to the sheep. We needed to say sorry. We cried and then we got angry. They caught the animal rights movement sleeping on Monday 15th July 2002 - the day live exports resumed. As we drove home on the M20, we looked across at the Dover bound carriageway and remembered that it was Monday 15th July 2002 - the day live exports resumed and that it was the road to hell.
ACTION!!!
More lambs are due to be exported from Dover every 48 hours from Wednesday. Let us show that farmed animals are not forgotten and that live exports will not be tolerated. 2466 lives were lost on Monday on just one 'shipment' - Please turn up in your droves at Dover - don't let them catch us sleeping again - the exporters think they will have an easy time - let's all come together and show them they will not!
ROAD TO HELL CAMPAIGN
Farmed Animal Action sped to Dover in the early hours of Saturday morning after news that a further 'shipment' of Welsh lambs were due to be exported to Holland. Around 40 protestors arrived with banners and placards to greet the export trucks. We are pleased to announce that the 'shipment' did not go ahead but the demonstration against the vile trade that is live exports did. Farmed Animal Action Protestors stood in the middle of the roundabout displaying banners to inform passengers and visitors to Dover Docks that live exports had resumed. There was great support from passing traffic and the police even escorted us to the roundabout - stopping traffic to allow us to make our way there! Crews from BBC TV (Kent) were there to film the demonstrators who tried to charge into the main terminal. We will continue to monitor the situation and ensure that the road to hell will not be an easy one for the exporters who put profit above the pain of sentient beings.
Since the 15th July - the day that live exports began, there have been two further 'shipments'. The first on the 21st July and the second on the 31st July. Both crossings have been on the MV Caroline (a lairage ship) and have been commissioned by Van Veen BV - a Dutch firm who were responsible for the Bari tragedy a few years ago where hundreds of Lambs and sheep were left for 48 hours on an Italian dockside in blazing heat to practically fry to death. Around 6000 welsh lambs have been transported from Wales to Dover by two hauliers - ME Edwards and LE Jones. The first 'shipment' of 2466 lambs left Wales on the Sunday and eventually reached Italy on the following Friday. We can only imagine what that horrific journey must have been like for those terrified babies, unshorn and crowded in the sweltering heat on their journey to Italy and eventual death. In the last two instances, the transporters have sneaked in to Dover in the middle of the night and sailed in the early hours to avoid protestors and in an attempt to keep their filthy viles trade a secret. Don't forget that David Owen (of Farmers Ferry Ltd.) is also planning to ship around 4000 lambs per week starting this month;
Brindie - the operations arm of Farmers Ferry which transported up to 1.2m lambs a year before the outbreak - has pencilled in an initial shipment for early August.
Live exports accounted for about 5% of total UK output before the disease. [foot and mouth]
However, chief executive David Owen says initial consignments will be significantly smaller than the 13,000 animals carried by the organisation's regular ship, the Cap Afrique.
"This will be a walk-on walk-off vessel with a capacity of 3500-4000 lambs, although we can easily lay on bigger boats if required.
"At the moment we just don't know how many sheep are out there."
But Mr Owen is confident that numbers will build quickly.
"Due to the mild lambing season a lot of upland light lambs have survived. It is difficult to predict numbers, but there seems to be any amount of demand from the EU."
Tony Fowler, senior economic analyst at the Meat and Livestock Commission, says live shipments is good news for producers, as they should remove surplus from the home market.
It will also coincide with the period when UK lamb values start to trend downwards.
"The fact that the Euro has been gaining against the Pound could also have an influence by making British lamb more attractive abroad," he adds.
(Farmers Weekly 28 June 2002)
STOP PRESS . . .
The 2466 lambs who were sent to their doom on Monday arrived in Italy on Friday. This represents a journey of over 60 hours. We can only imagine what a nightmare of a journey they have had and what their fate is now. Please visit our website on www.farmedanimalaction.co.uk for an eyewitness account of the day that live exports resumed.
Road to Hell Campaign Update
Yet more shipments of lambs (approximately 10,000) have sped from Wales into Dover to be carried in the vessel ‘Caroline’ to Holland. They are then re-loaded and sent on to Italy and France to face brutal deaths in these countries or possibly exported further to the middle east.
Farmed Animal Action have been present at practically every transporter arrival. Last night, transporters loaded from Petham Lairage, dropped off hundreds of sheep and returned to the lairage to re-load. A member of Farmed Animal Action managed to storm past security and almost make her way to where the Caroline was docked before being ejected by Dover Harbour Board Police. On Saturday, Farmed Animal Action along with hundreds of people turned out for the Compassion in World Farming demo at Dover - but it's not enough. We need to make this vile and cruel trade as difficult as possible for the people willing to submit sentient creatures to pure hell for an extra 10p per kilo. A few years ago, hundreds of lambs and sheep were left to fry to death on an Italian dockside by the very same people who are now responsible for transporting these babies recently;
"They were in a
pitiful condition in the dreadful heat (100°F), and were gasping
for air - they were panting like dogs. For 48 blistering hours
the trucks were left on the dockside, during which time efforts
were made to contact a range of Italian authorities to alert
them to the situation - the animals needed to be unloaded and
given rest, care, food and water. Two of the contacts said it was
not their concern, and two could not be contacted because it was
Sunday. After repeated pleas, on Monday, the port authorities
finally agreed to unload and care for the suffering animals.
The scene on these transporters was truly dreadful. The top deck
was carpeted with 115 British lambs laid out in death from heat
stroke and suffocation, just two or three left barely standing
surrounded by their dead companions. The lambs were covered in
the faeces and urine of their companions packed
around them. These animals were just fried and no-one cared"
Eyewitness report on latest protest
In the darkest hours of Saturday 24th August, around midnight, baby faces peered through the cold, steely slats of the transporter lorry. Frightened eyes, wide and helpless, appealing and hopeless.
We saw his face as we stood in the road. The driver made no attempt to brake. We had little choice but to let him pass, and as he did, I made eye contact with one of his 'cargo'. My stomach knotted as it passed. A group, yet each one alone to face it's death. The lorry was gone in a moment. The image will remain forever. They were crying out for us to help.
Protestor halts dealer in death!
Whilst roughly loading tiny spring lambs from the lairage in Petham, Kent, a driver for transporter LE Jones carelessly left the vehicle's keys in the ignition. We have received a report that a protestor 'found' the keys and unfortunately 'lost' them in a field before they could be returned.
A poem from one of our supporters
THE SILENCE FOR THE LAMBS
When
it was calves, you all came to aid;
To save them from suffering a horrendous fate.
Brightlingsea, Shoreham, Coventry and Dover,
You came in your thousands - until BSE stopped the slaughter.
Now
it is us, the defenceless sheep;
Does our suffering not cause you to lose sleep ?
Are calves' lives worth more than our own ?
Do they deserve more love than we are being shown ?
Why
do they matter and not us ?
Why is it their fate which so disgusts ?
Why is a calf more worthy than a lamb ?
Why is it no-one seems to give a damn ?
Do
you know what it's like, to be one of us ?
A life of journey on a sweltering truck.
Do you know how it feels when we reach our destination ?
Do you care how many of us die in transportation ?
We
see the few that gather to protest.
Tears in their eyes; they know the fate that awaits us.
But it is a few, a token gesture...
Sometimes only a solitary protestor.
To
know that some care brings hope for us all.
Some hear our cries, and answer the call.
But it is not enough, this dedicated few;
To stop the death trucks getting through.
So
time and again our brethren are taken;
To the continent where their lives are forsaken.
I don't understand, please enlighten me -
I thought your policy was to treat all equally;
Where does it say except the sheep - except me ?
Why is my life of lesser (e)quality ?
What can you do?
Every single one of you is a good person, you wouldn’t do what you do if you didn’t care. We know that all kinds of animal abuse is so rife in our society and it needs action, but please, please keep up the pressure for these babies. We know that live exports can be stopped – it may not be through parliamentary means just yet, but we can make it as unpleasant as possible for the people who choose to make their living from the suffering of others. No transporters, no book-keepers, no arrangers = no live exports.
Please call us if you can make it to Dover at short notice 0845 4560284 to ‘greet’ the transporters. They travel under the cloak of darkness because they know their business is sordid and obscene. They laugh at the few protestors as they drive innocent babies to their doom. Let’s show them that we are there to let them know how vile they are.
We have arranged an open camp for anyone who would like to come to Dover to demonstrate but feel that they live too far away. Maybe you could come for a few days, a week, maybe for a month – whatever you can manage would help. Please note that we only have very basic camping facilities. Please come and join us! Call 0845 4560284 for details.
Print off the attached list which contains details of who you can phone, fax, or write to express your concern about the vile, cruel trade that is live exports – keep up the pressure - let’s get this thing stopped.
20 day stand still to continue
After pressure from the farming industry, the Government offered a 13-day stand last month but the farming unions have rejected this as unworkable. As a result the full 20-day stand still will remain until November with a few exceptions. Breeding bulls, ewes and rams are to come under different categories and as long as they are kept separate from the rest of the ‘stock’ for 20 days, they will not trigger a standstill. Most farmers obviously want the restrictions to be lifted totally, however, showing an unwillingness to recognise the foot and mouth disaster, brought about by intensive farming and by vast amounts of movement, they have threatened to flout the rule and move animals illegally, risking fines of up to £5000.
It has come to our attention that the RSPCA have been present at two sailings of the Caroline that had not been revealed to protestors. When asked for co-operation, the RSPCA declined stating they would be refused access if it were found that they were helping protestors!!
Still thinking about your event? Please contact us for a free planner packed full of ideas and info to help your event go well. We also have black and white leaflets, which will be sent free to all groups who are planning an event. World Farm Animal Day founders, FARM in the USA will also be providing banners, posters, photos and leaflets – ‘Why vegan?’ To obtain a 12 minute graphic ‘Meet your Meat’ video please send an email to [email protected] requesting the free two-hour looping version (so you don’t have to rewind every 12 minutes) and note that it’s for WFAD. This is most suitable for events, where you only have a few seconds to catch a passerby’s attention.
Events so far in the UK....
2nd October – Farmed Animal Action will be arranging a Petition hand-in against live exports to Margaret Beckett at DEFRA headquarters, London. We have collected 20,000 signatures against live exports in 2 months! We will also be releasing eco-friendly balloons to signify the amount of animals that have been exported since live exports resumed. Please pledge your support to be there, if you can’t make it, arrange something near you. Farmed animal cruelty exists everywhere – you can play your part wherever you live!
2nd October - Demo against Cherry Valley Duck Farm, Market Rasen. Please contact Grantham Animal Rights Defence on 01476 592713 for info.
5th October - Swindon Animal Concern will be holding an information stall in the town centre to highlight the plight of farmed animals. Please call 01793 644796 with offers of support.
5th October - leafletting in Leicester - please contact Anne Clarke on 0116 273 9672
Halal
We received an appeal from activists in Wakefield who had rescued 39 chickens destined to be slaughtered for halal meat. They could only keep 6. We are pleased to announce that we managed to quickly rehome the remaining 33 who will now live out their lives in peace. NOTE: We do not advocate any form of slaughter, mainstream or religious. We will act where animals are in need, that is our only priority.
A certain ex-exporter from Essex, Mr Lennox of Wick Farms, Church Lane, Layer-da-la-Hay, Colchester, Essex was found to have a small illegal slaughterhouse at the side of his farm when visited by MAFF at the beginning of the Foot and Mouth epidemic. Evidence of blow torches, hooks, baskets, fleece and blood were all observed, leading them to believe that the farm was involved in the ‘Smokie’ trade. This was reported to Trading Standards who tried to pursue the matter but were told that because of FMD, access to the premises was denied to them and MAFF would ‘see to it’. This they did, quite successfully, by destroying either intentionally or unintentionally, the evidence in the subsequent clean-up operation. A local newspaper investigated the story and was told that Colchester Council were involved in an undercover investigation and were asked not to publish any details until this was complete. Recently, the reporter contacted the Council who told him that all evidence had been lost so nothing could be done and the case was now closed. It now appears that this place seems, once again, to be ‘losing’ sheep on it’s premises and there is a suspicion that the trade has resumed – but no-one seems willing to do anything about it.
Please contact Colchester Council on 01245 341800 and Environmental Health on 01206 282581 asking them to investigate this case as a matter of urgency.
LIVE EXPORT LATEST
URGENT! - DEFRA REGULATIONS BROKEN!
The Caroline docked at Dover this morning (6/9/02) at 5am and set sail for Holland with approximately 2000 spring lambs transported by LE Jones (Brickfield Lane, Denbigh Road, Ruthin, Clywd LL15 1PE Tel: 01824 704533, fax: 01824 704397 [email protected]
DEFRA regulations state that vessels carrying live animals should not sail in anthing above a gale force 5. The situation in the channel is that there is a gale force 6/7. Please call Andy Patnilli (DEFRA Animal Welfare Division) to complain. 0207 9046971.
He will apparently not be in the office until Monday. Please send us details of any replies.
ONE DOWN.... We have received an anonymous communication that ME Edwards, one of the transporters from Wales to Dover has stated that they will no longer be involved in transporting animals for live export in the future. We will continue to monitor the situation.
Farmers Ferry to start up next month?
More spring lambs are due to be exported next month if Farmers Ferries get their way. Before the foot and mouth outbreak, 800,000 sheep and lambs and 100,000 pigs were exported to Europe per year. So far, around 12,000 lambs have left UK shores since live exports resumed on 15th July - each one a beautiful sentient being.&nbbsp; Terry Bayliss, chairman of the Farmers First Group said "We expect to restart live exports by the end of the month. There is strong demand from Italy"
Contact Farmers Ferry Director, David Owen and let him know how you feel
Farmers Ferry Ltd.
Davela
Llanstephen
Brecon
0870 241 0153
Wakey wakey!
Please call the following individuals and companies to let them know your feelings about their involvement in live exports.
Gill Thomsett - book-keeper - 07860 436286
Gwyn Jones - 07808 360391 (mob) 01978 661569
LE Jones - transporter - 01824 704533 fax; 01824 704397
Robert Boyns - website administrator for LE Jones - 01824 702211 fax: 01824 705541
ME Edwards - transporter - 01938 810878, 01938 810362
Dover harbour board - 01304 240400
Ben Gill - National Farmers Union President - 0207 331 7200
Petham Lairage - 01227 700576
Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.
Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."
(Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize winner 1986)
Northern Ireland Exports Begin
Cattle shipments to Northern Ireland are set to resume this week, following arrangements between London and Belfast. DEFRA had previously objected to Northern Ireland’s insistence that all animals making the crossing be individually tested for TB. But a statement from Agricultural Minister, Brid Rogers said interim arrangements had now been agreed and trade in cattle could commence from Monday (19th) For the first time, sheep may also make the crossing.
LIVE EXPORTS HAS GONE ON FOR TOO LONG - WE CAN AND WILL PUT A STOP TO THIS BARBARITY - NOW ITS TIME FOR ACTION!
IF YOU CAN MAKE IT TO DOVER AT SHORT NOTICE – USUALLY A COUPLE OF HOURS TO ‘GREET’ THE TRANSPORTERS PLEASE CALL US ON 0845 4560284
CAN YOU MONITOR THE TRANSPORTERS AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY TO DOVER? CALL US PLEASE!
THIS IS THE REALITY OF LIVE EXPORTS AND IT MUST BE STOPPED!
L E JONES - HAULIERS FOR LIVE EXPORTS
The Welsh hauliers responsible for transporting lambs from Wales to Dover, who then endure arduous journeys to Holland and then on to Italy and possibly Spain/France/Greece are a company called L E JONES. L.E Jones Ltd. Brickfield Lane Denbigh Road Ruthin Denbighshire LL15 1PE Phone; 0182 470 4533 Fax: 0182 470 4397 Email: [email protected] Please contact them with your concerns about them being an intrinsical part in live exports and the suffering involved for the animals they are transporting.
BRITAIN WANTS BAN ON LIVE EXPORTS (by Valerie Elliott, Countryside Editor 16/7/02)
The Government is seeking to outlaw the export trade in live animals to the continent, preferring farmers to use local abattoirs and export meat rather than livestock. Elliot Morley, the Minister for animal welfare, indicated yesterday that he was pressing the European Commission for much stricter rules to prevent animals being transported from Britain to Southern Mediterranean countries for slaughter. He spoke out as the first consignment of live lambs since the foot and mouth outbreak left Dover for the Netherlands. A total of 2466 lambs travelled from Wales and were loaded on a ferry bound for Moerdijk in the Netherlands. An official from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs accompanied the animals because it was the first time the route had been used for live exports - in the past Belgium has been a regular destination. {Farmed Animal Action note: each transporter took 45 minutes to unload - normally this takes 17 minutes - the exporters obviously were being cautious whilst being watched} Many of the lambs will later be transported to France and Italy. In the past, live lambs have also travelled for slaughter to Spain and Greece. Mr Morley said: "I would like to see a complete end to the long-distance transportation of animals for slaughter; even with the intervening rest periods, I am not happy that the welfare of the animals concerned can be guaranteed." The trade also undermined the British meat industry and exported jobs abroad, he said. However, it is an important market for UK sheep farmers, who in 2000 sent 760,000 lambs to the continent for slaughter - a business worth £31 million. During last year's export ban, the demand for live lambs was still strong in Europe and the Irish picked up much of the business. A spokesman at the National Sheep Association defended the trade. "It is entirely legal and is a sector of the market which is popular with a number of European countries. If we don't supply the lambs we will lose out to our competitors, probably Ireland and Eastern Europe." It is understood that yesterday's shipment was organised by a Dutch businessman {Van Veen BV}.
The UK's only live export operator, Farmers' Ferry, is expected to resume livestock exports next month. No one at the firm was available to comment.
(It is also known that Farmers' Ferry transport primates from France to Dover, which are then transported to vivisection laboratories like HLS by road).
DEALERS IN DEATH The following individuals and companies make their money from the misery of animals. Please let them know that the live export business will not be an easy one and let them know exactly what you think of this vile trade resuming. We cannot do anything about the 6000 lambs that have already gone, but we can do something about the estimated 4000 a week that are planned to be exported in the near future. The animals need you now to stop this cruel and immoral trade before it builds momentum!
EXPORTER David Owen Farmers Ferry Ltd Davela Llanstephan Llyswen Brecon LD3 OAJ 0870 241 0153 [email protected] (This also happens to be David Owen's home address.)
TRANSPORTER LE Jones Ltd Brickfield Lane Denbigh Road Ruthin Clwyd LL15 1PE 01824 704533 fax: 01824 704397 [email protected] LE Jones enjoy their work so much that they have invested in their own lairage Pen Stryd Llandyrnog Ruthin LL15 2NB 01824 704533 fax: 01824 704397
Website administrator for LE Jones Robert Boyns Boyns Computers Unit 6 Clwydfro Business Centre Lon Parcwr Ruthin Denbighshire LL15 1NJ 01824 702211 fax: 01824 705541 [email protected]
TRANSPORTER ME Edwards & Son The Meadows Welshpool Llanfair Caerenion Powys SY21 9EB 01938 810878 and The Wern Llanfair Caereinon Welshpool Powys SY21 0EF 01938 810362
Dover Harbour
Board
Harbour House
Marine Parade
Dover CT17 9BU
Telephone: +44 (0) 1304 240400
Fax: +44 (0) 1304 240465
Ben Gill (National Farmers Union President) 0207 331 7200
You may get transferred to an answering machine - please persevere and demand to speak to Ben Gill. Point out that 4 out of 5 people in the UK are against live exports and that the farmers intent on making a few extra pounds by exporting their lambs will only serve to alienate the public further.
Collection points for animals to be exported are:
Ridley House Ridley Wood Wrexham LL13 9XA 01978 661569 fax: 01978 664200
Harris & Hetherington Ltd Borderway Mart Rosehill Carlisle Cumbria CA1 2RS 01228 90490 fax: 01228 640901
Eurolink Shipping Ltd Homestead Farm Petham Canterbury Kent CT5 4PP 01227 700579
LE Jones Pen Stryd Llandyrnog Ruthin LL15 2NB 01824 704533 fax: 01824 704397 _______________________________________________________________________________
Farmed Animal Action say . . .
We appreciate that Mr Morley recognises the intense suffering that these animals endure whilst being exported. However, sentiments are not enough. Attempting to ensure that animals are fit to travel and sending a DEFRA official on the maiden journey does nothing to ensure that this cruel trade is stopped. We do not need a recommendation for an 8 hour journey time or so-called 'improved' animal welfare standards. This has been and always will be totally impossible to enforce. There will be no compromise - there must be a UK and ultimately an EU ban on live exports - the animals deserve nothing less.
ACTION:
Please e-mail Elliot Morley, [email protected] expressing your concerns for these poor animals and reiterate that nothing less than a ban will be acceptable. Opinion polls have revealed that 4 out 5 people in the UK are against live exports. Please join us at the demonstrations at Dover, we know they are short notice but it is crucial that we show our presence.
Online Petition
If you have not already done so, please sign the online petition against live exports at: http://www.ethical-business.com/petitions.asp?pet_id=324
Sanctuary News
The animals at our sanctuary have been enjoying the lovely weather that we have been experiencing lately. The pigs especially like to wallow in a muddy bath we have provided for them. We tried to have some 'human' fun by having a vegan bbq - the animals thought they too would partake of the veggie burgers, corn cobs etc that we tried to cook. Overall, the pigs came out best, swiftly followed by the goats & dogs! Rani our very special cow is only interested in salady things (especially cucumbers). All of them seem very chilled when we have hot weather and take to sunbathing or just generally lazing around. Our many goats especially like to lie in the dust after an eveneing fire has been lit. The piglets are an absolute delight to watch - they play and forage and snooze together- you get to know their 'language' after a while. They are growing so quickly, they will soon be leaving the nursery enclosure and joining the other animals. We feel that this is a very special place and are very privilaged to be friends with these wonderful animals. You are very welcome to come and visit (just call us first). Click here to check out the sanctuary on our website.
Urgently required
Caring, compassionate, committed vegan required to act as caretaker at our farmed animal sanctuary near Tonbridge in Kent. A love and respect of farmed animals essential. Unfortunately, we cannot offer accomodation due to pressures from the local council. Very small renumeration. Person needed for around 3 days per week (but must be flexible). Job share considered. Please call Marion on 07950 656462.
"Eternal Treblinka"
We would like to recommend an exellent book that highlights the similarities between the atrocities perpetuated against the Jews in Nazi Germany and the treatment of animals today. Available at http://www.powerfulbook.com/
World Farm Animals Day - 2nd October
Don't forget to do your bit for farmed animals on or around the day. Please click here for more info.
Farmed Animal Action is a non-proft making organisation dedicated to campaigning against cruelty, suffering and exploitation of farmed animals. We promote a cruelty-free lifestyle and support a farmed animal sanctuary where animals can live their lives in peace and dignity. Please support us!
PO Box 27, Tonbridge, Kent TN12 5WJ Tel: 0845 4560284 ........www.farmedanimalaction.co.uk
Now is the time to start arranging your event to highlight the plight of farmed animals on 2nd October. Please let us know about your event on [email protected]
Online Petition
Our online petition against live exports is at http://www.ethical-business.com/petitions.asp?pet_id=324
We also have a petition that you can print off from our website. We have 20,000 signatures so far - please help us make that 50,000! http://www.farmedanimalaction.co.uk/wanttohelp/liveexportpetition.doc
Campaign Appeal
We desperately need funds to sustain our campaign against live exports. We are devoting 100% of our time, 7 days a week to ensure that the live export trade does not succeed. We also maintain a farmed animal sanctuary where animals can live out their lives in peace and dignity. Please consider making a donation to the Road to Hell campaign. Any gift, however small is crucial to our success. To thank supporters who donate or raise £100 towards our campaign we will send you a free t-shirt "Vegans do it for the animals". (white, size medium only) Please make cheques/postal orders payable to Farmed Animal Action. Many, many thanks on behalf of the animals.
Most calves exported from Britain to suffer in veal crates are born as un-wanted 'by-products' of the dairy industry. To give milk, a cow must first produce a calf, and she will do this on average once for evry 10,000 pints of milk. In her life, she will produce four calves or more, only one of whom is likely to be reared to fill her place in the traditional dairy herd. The remaining three will be sent to market when only a few days old and are likely to end up on one of the trucks bound for a veal crate in France.
Dairy cattle are slow-growing, and farmers claim that they must be prevented from moving - even to scratch an itch - and fed a diet which makes them anaemic, if their flesh is to be white when they reach slaughter weight.
They say this is why little veal is produced in the more humane group housing systems where calves are able to walk about, lie down, and eat food which is not artificially deficient in iron.
Following the lead of William Waldegrave, the Agriculture Minister, the British dairy industry has washed its hands of responsibility for the fate of the calves it breeds. We say this is not good enough. Producers have a responsibility to see that calves are not sent abroad to suffer conditions which are illegal in Britain.
Consumer pressure caused the ferry companies to stop carrying animals for slaughter abroad. Join the campaign! Give up milk products, and end this cruel trade.
Road to Hell Campaign Latest
PHONE/FAX BLOCKADE!!
Please call LE JONES tomorrow (Monday 23rd September) The LE Jones company is a key player in the live export trade and apart from transporting animals from Wales to Dover for both exporters, Farmers Ferry and Van Veen, are responsible for making arrangements for other trucks. They are only a relatively small company so the implications of a phone blockade can be significant in terms of lost business.
01824 704533 fax 0182 470 4397
THEY'RE AT IT AGAIN!
At almost every 'shipment' we see exporters blatantly dis-regarding bio-security risks and flouting DEFRA regulations by not cleansing their trucks between 'loads'. Do the words "Foot and Mouth' mean nothing to these people?? One truck has been rejected after complaints to the Dover veterinary service. This can attract a fine of up to £5000. Farmed Animal Action have been urging Kent trading standards to prosecute the offenders - we will keep you posted!
Despite many more complaints about the exporters constantly breaking regulations, further trucks have been let through. DEFRA regulations state that cleansing should be undertaken even if the vehicle only involved is 'ferrying' animals from a lairage to the port. (Paragraph 4 of the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and disinfecting) England (No 2) order 2000k.
Please call 01304 240020 to ask that these basic regulations are being adhered to.
VIGIL
Several ships now appear to
be involved in the live animal trade out of Dover, Kent.
Local Kent campaigners are doing all they can to get the industry
'out from under the covers of darkness', which they seem to
enjoy operating under.
Dover Harbour Board, who have supported the campaigners in the
past, are now keeping rather quiet about what goes on.
They can be mailed on http://www.doverport.co.uk/contact
EVERY
(almost daily) shipment from Dover now may be in excess of 6,000
live sheep and lambs, destined for Italy, Greece, who
knows where?
Vigils at the harbour are taking place each Friday morning (10-noon).
On the 27-29 Sept,
there will be a 72 Hour Vigil/demo at the harbour, calling for a
ban on the trade.
Info from CIWF (01730-264208).
Please try to do something to help, thank you.
DOVER
EMERGENCY DEMO LIST
Could you make it to Dover at short notice (usually a few hours) to 'greet' the exporters? We desperately need more people to show that the live export trade has not been forgotten. Please call 0845 4560284 if you would like to be put on our list.