blog 8hours

Violations found: live cattle transport in Portugal

asansolini — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:13:32 +0000

Animals’ Angels inspects transports leaving cattle market in Rates towards slaughterhouses in Portugal and Spain. Investigators come across transport violations ranging from severe overcrowding, insufficient height, cattle tethered at their horns, to unmilked cows. Further, the teams observe signs of pain at multiple animals, curved backs, foam at the mouth and a cow with a broken horn.

Despite longstanding efforts to push for improvements together with the cattle market’s management, major rules are still ignored at the market and during transports. Animals’ Angels will continue to advocate for improving welfare for cattle in transport at Rate’s market.

For image please visit http://www.animals-angels.com/animals-angels/the-investigations/view/archive/1970/01/01/article/06-07052013-portugal-rates.html

Act to end live animal transport from Dover

asansolini — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:11:43 +0000

For British nationals or residents, please sign the e-petition lodged by Kent Action Against Live Exports (KAALE). Once the e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the issue will then be debated in the House of Commons in the UK Parliament:

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/42002/signature/new

Photo by Valerie Cameron, Kent Action Against Live Exports (KAALE)

You can also join Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) in calling on MPs to amend the outdated 1847 Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act. We must stop this trade from all UK ports:

http://action.ciwf.org.uk/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=119&ea.campaign.id=19876&ea.tracking.id=05bb9ddb

Investigation near Warsaw

asansolini — Thu, 02 May 2013 10:01:35 +0000

Last week Animals’ Angels followed a truck transporting cows destined for slaughter on the highway westwards to Warsaw. Investigators observed that animals were tied together at their horns. It is practice that causes excruciating pain suffering, and a violation of EU regulations governing protection of animals during transport. When tied together at their horns, the animals do not have freedom to move and are unable to lie, rest, eat or drink. Animals’ Angels documents the violations and will press charges against the transport company.

For investigation image please visit http://www.animals-angels.com/animals-angels/the-investigations/view/archive/1970/01/01/article/23042013-polen-naehe-warschau.html

Lithuanian animal welfare group OPAN supports the 8hours campaign

asansolini — Thu, 02 May 2013 07:15:16 +0000

We are pleased to announce that OPAN (www.opan.lt) has become a supporter of the 8hours campaign in calling for an end to long-distance live transport.

Jean Lambert, MEP (Greens, UK)

asansolini — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:13:26 +0000

“Every year across Europe, millions of animals are transported for thousands of miles en route to slaughter. During these journeys, animals will suffer from extreme exhaustion, dehydration, serious injuries, and in extreme cases, die in transit.

Under current EU rules, journeys of up to several days are allowed as long as the haulier fulfils simple demands, such as food, water and rest stops. Sadly, research from a number of animal welfare organisations tell us that these standards are often not being met, with untold numbers of animals suffering as a result. This is absolutely unacceptable and must be stopped.

That is why I am supporting the 8hours petition calling for an eight hour journey limit for transporting live animals. The European Commission must act now to significantly reduce journey times for Europe’s livestock.”

Elisabeth Koestinger, MEP (EPP, Austria)

asansolini — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 08:42:48 +0000

Was den Schutz von Tieren während des Transportes angeht, besteht in Europa nach wie vor ein massives Ungleichgewicht. Innerhalb von Österreich sind etwa bereits strenge zeitliche Obergrenzen vorgeschrieben, in vielen Nachbarländern aber nicht. Es muss ein erklärtes Ziel sein einheitliche Regelungen zu erarbeiten und zu einer verbesserten Gesamtsituation in der EU beizutragen. Als Österreicherin stehe ich voll und ganz zur Beschränkung der Transportzeit von Tieren und unterstütze diese Initiative zum Schutz des Wohlergehens von Tieren.

Mojca Kleva, MEP (S&D, Slovenia)

asansolini — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:16:47 +0000

“As a caring society we should ensure good animal welfare standards and promote responsible animal care. It is of great importance that animals are treated humanely and that they do not suffer unjustifiable, unnecessary and unreasonable pain.

That is why I strongly support the 8hours campaign which aims to ensure that the transportation of animals is conducted with adequate consideration for their welfare.”

Jelko Kacin, MEP (ALDE, Slovenia)

asansolini — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:13:44 +0000

“As someone who travels a lot, often long distances, I know very well what degree of discomfort even the most comfortable seats can cause over a prolonged period of time. Our jobs require travelling. We, the MEPs often complain about being driven back and forth and around the EU like livestock. But that’s far from reality. The farm animals don’t enjoy any comfort, they don’t travel voluntarily and have no idea what awaits at the end of their trip.

Thus I strongly support the limit of 8 hours on animal transportation, and I believe this should be the very minimum standard. In fact, I wish this would also be a minimum standard for MEPs!”

Animals Angels meets the Catalonian Government in Barcelona, Spain.

asansolini — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:10:39 +0000

ANDA, Compassion in World Farming and Animals‘ Angels meet the Catalonian Government regarding long distance transport, a horse market in Catalonia, and problems in pig husbandries. The Catalonian Government’s representatives promise to implement improvements for the animals in question.

Source: http://www.animals-angels.com/animals-angels/the-investigations/view/archive/1970/01/01/article/05042013-spanien-barcelona.html

Romana Jordan Cizelj, MEP (EPP, Slovenia)

asansolini — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 08:00:24 +0000

“I wholeheartedly support the 8hours initiative for two main reasons. First, I am against the unnecessary suffering of animals. Today, too many animals are still being transported in unacceptable conditions across Europe. But I remain optimistic, while there is a broad support in the European Parliament for better protection of animal welfare, for example the initiative on progressive ban on animal testing.

Secondly, because of the fight against climate change, and our efforts to overall greenhouse emissions reduction, we need more regional cooperation, with the view to build up regional economy. We should all think about possible innovative ways on how to change the current logistics. One possible solution would be to find alternatives in order to reduce transport of animals. This would contribute to reduce the duration of transport and fight against climate change.

In addition, a lot can be done on the individual level. We as individuals have to change our behaviour and the mode of consumption. I strongly support the approach to reduce the need for long distance transport, and to consume local products, which will also help us to rationalize costs.”