Slaughterhouse accused of ‘unbearable cruelty’ closes

AN Essex slaughterhouse has been forced to close after secret filming inside it by animal welfare campaigners led to allegations of serious cruelty towards pigs.

A and G Barber, of Purleigh, used to kill a quarter of all cull sows in the UK. Its main buyer, said to be a German sausage manufacturer, cancelled its contract after viewing the footage, forcing the abattoir to close.

The abattoir was one of a number exposed in secret filming by Animal Aid earlier this year. The animal welfare group said the film, shot over three days in April, showed scenes of ‘extreme and deliberately-inflicted suffering’, including use of electric tongs on animals’ snouts, tails and in their mouths.

It said other breaches filmed include ‘incompetent and inadequate stunning’ for most of the 767 pigs filmed, stunned pigs left to regain consciousness, and pigs being routinely kicked in the face and hit in the face with shackle hooks.

One worker and the slaughterhouse operator still face prosecution.

Kate Fowler, Animal Aid’s head of campaign, criticised the failure of the regulatory system to pick up the abuses at an abattoir where veterinary inspectors were in attendance.

“It is appalling that the cruelties meted out to animals at A&G Barber were allowed to continue and that all regulatory systems failed to detect and stop the abuses,” she said.

“If Animal Aid hadn’t happened to film at the plant, we believe that workers would still be kicking, beating and causing deliberate suffering to pigs there. It is right and proper that companies who have seen our film shunned A&G Barber.”

» Full article

» Read more about the investigation at Animal Aid

Related: Sir Paul McCartney – If Slaughterhouses Had Glass Walls

Nature’s Boutique which is run by Carrina, a friend of ScouseVeg is over the moon about it.

Press release:

MERSEYSIDE FASHION & BEAUTY BOUTIQUE MAKES TOP 3 IN RSPCA GOOD BUSINESS AWARDS SHORTLIST

A Merseyside online business has reached the finals of the national RSPCA Good Business Awards within just six months of trading.

Founded in February this year by animal lover and vegan Carrina Rowe, NaturesBoutique.com is one of three.

The fashion and beauty etailer’s strict animal welfare and ethical business policies were praised by the high profile judging panel who recognised Carrina’s efforts as a small business owner who places animal welfare at the top of her agenda:

“It’s a fantastic surprise and a real honour to have made it this far in such a prestige national competition. I have always admired and respected the companies chosen for an RSPCA Good Business Award, so to be in the running for one ourselves and in our first year makes me incredibly proud,” said Carrina, whose lifelong love of animals and nature stems from her mother who worked as a veterinary nurse.

“As a little girl, my mum always rescued animals and when I left home, I followed in her footsteps taking in all sorts of creatures in need!”

“My belief that no animal should have to suffer for the sake of our beauty led me on a search for cruelty free make up and skincare products that were also natural, kinder to the environment, animals and my skin.”

“I started Nature’s Boutique after discovering some products that claimed to be cruelty free were not necessarily so. None of the products we sell are tested on animals, nor do the brand owners pay third parties to conduct animal testing on their behalf. In fact many are certified by independent bodies such as the BDIH, Soil Association and Vegan Society which have strict criteria for products bearing their seal. Customers can shop safe in the knowledge that there are no animal derivatives and no animal ingredients in the products sold on our site.”

Carrina also supports a number of local and national animal charities such as Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre, World Horse Welfare and the Parkgate Pony Sanctuary, co-sponsors of Scouseveg – the social and campaigning group for vegetarians and vegans in and around Liverpool, Merseyside and the Wirral and actively helps raise awareness of the many animal related causes close to her heart.

The winners will be announced on Wednesday 6th October in London.

- Find out more Facebook and Carrina’s blog

GROWING GREEN INTERNATIONAL – INVITATION TO JOIN OUR VOLUNTARY EDITORIAL TEAM

The environmental charity Vegan-Organic Network publish their magazine Growing Green International which is distributed all over the world. Would you like to join our editorial team? Producing a lively magazine requires much cooperative input. We are looking for someone with relevant skills, especially a full competence in IT, to join the editorial team who after full familiarization, could participate in every aspect of the organization needed to bring each issue to completion twice a year.

Knowledge of horticulture or related fields would be helpful. This is an important, rewarding and interesting role for a volunteer working from home. Please contact Peter White for further information, giving details of relevant experience. advice@veganorganic.net

Phone enquiries welcome 0161 928 3614. Some previous articles and covers can be seen at www.veganorganic.net

A new find…

“Arbonne is a unique company, renowned for offering quality Swiss skin care products and health supplements that are botanically based and 100% vegan, unlike any other upscale cosmetic company in the world. Our skin can absorb up to 60% of the creams and lotions we apply to it (and that percentage is higher for liquid products), and the harmful chemicals found in most standard skin ‘care’ products are rapidly taken into our bloodstream. Therefore, it is crucial to be confident that the products we use are safe. Arbonne not only delivers beautiful results, but also peace of mind that the beauty is *more* than skin deep!”

http://elizabethkenyon.myarbonne.ca/

This from ContactMusic:

Politician Demands McCartney Apologise For Bush Gag

An Amercian politician is demanding that Sir Paul McCartney publicly apologise for a joke he made at former President George W Bush’s expense during an appearance at the White House on Wednesday (02Jun10).

Republican John Boehner was not amused when the former Beatle poked fun at the ex-leader’s intellect as he became the first non-American to collect the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from Bush’s successor, President Barack Obama.

MCCartney said: “After the last eight years, it’s great to have a president who knows where the library is.”

» Link to article

This from Ecorazzi:

Hard Rock Café London To Feature Meat Free Mondays Inspired By Paul McCartney

In honor of Paul McCartney’s Meat Free Monday campaign, the Hard Rock Café London will feature a meatless meal every Monday throughout the year at the original location on Old Park Lane. The three-course vegetarian meal will include the Linda McCartney Vegetarian Burger, Wild Mushroom Soup, Grilled Eggplant Lasagna, and a variety of healthy drinks.

The new menu option corresponds with McCartney’s UK tour and headline event at the Hard Rock Calling festival on June 27 in London’s Hyde Park.

» Link to article

Via the Beeb:

Sir Paul McCartney backs ‘green’ Isle of Wight Festival

Sir Paul McCartney has lent his support to reducing the carbon footprint of this year’s Isle of Wight Festival, where he is the headline act.

The ninth festival to take place on the island since its return from its 1970 heyday gets under way on Thursday.

The annual event was restarted at Seaclose Park in Newport in 2002 and is one of the UK’s largest festivals.

Organisers want to make the event as “green” as possible after winning the Greener Festival Award last year.

‘Let It Be’
Generators will partly run on bio-diesel, solar power will be used, while rangers have set up a wildlife and bee haven near the site using funds from festival-goers.

The “Let It Be” campaign is named after one of Sir Paul’s Beatles songs and aims to help dwindling bee populations.

One of the country’s rarest trees, the black poplar, will be reintroduced to the island at the haven and wild flowers are also being planted.

Sir Paul said: “I’m glad that winning the Greener Festival Award last year has helped to encourage them to take further action in 2010.

“It is fantastic for artists like myself to see festival organisers investing in ways to reduce their C02 emissions and taking responsibility for the environment.

“Not only will this approach encourage others in the music industry to look at best-practice but it will also highlight to audiences that times are changing and we all have to do our bit at events such as these as well as at home.”

» Link to article

Drawing you in with the one hand…

- This from their joint plan for government, specifically on Page 18 (pdf embedded below) and their policies on animal testing, animal welfare, fox hunting and badger culling. Quote:

" We will promote high standards of farm animal welfare. » We will end the testing of household products on animals and work to reduce the use of animals in scientific research. « We will promote responsible pet ownership by introducing effective codes of practice under the Animal Welfare Act, and will ensure that enforcement agencies target irresponsible owners of dangerous dogs."

" We oppose the resumption of commercial whaling, will press for a ban on ivory sales, and will tackle the smuggling and illegal trade on wildlife through our new Border Police Force. "

…Then stabbing in the back with the other:

" As part of a package of measures, we will introduce a carefully managed and science-led policy of badger control in areas with high and persistent levels of bovine tuberculosis. "

" We will bring forward a motion on a free vote enabling the House of Commons to express its view on THE REPEAL OF THE HUNTING ACT. "

Info found via North West Hunt Saboteurs Association

ADDITIONALLY…

Also via the NWHSA – The position of MP’s on repeal of the Hunting Act:

The new House of Commons: Position of MP’s on repeal of the Hunting Act (as at midday on 10th May 2010) Listed HERE are MP’s by their stated voting intention should they be offered a free vote on repeal of the Hunting Act.

Check the list. Which way will your local MP be voting ? Contact them here.

National Vegetarian Week (NVW) is the annual awareness-raising campaign promoting inspirational vegetarian food and the benefits of a meat-free lifestyle. Celebrated by the Vegetarian Society since 1992, the Week is now an established event that gets bigger and better every year.

A huge range of organisations from small businesses to big corporations, schools, community groups and individuals all across the UK get involved and everyone is invited to join in and make the Week a success.

» Read more about the history of National Vegetarian Week

www.nationalvegetarianweek.org

Thanks to Rach who left a comment on the Eating Out page about a recommended venue in deepest Lancs, if you ever find yourself over that way.

This entry updated. As per Colin’s comment below – The Coven Cafe at Wallgate has closed but the Deli is still open.

» Visit their Facebook Page.

Bollocks to Blood Sports!

30TH April 2010

Sharon Osbourne, Peter Kay, Al Murray and a host of other celebrities have joined Queen guitarist, Brian May, to say ‘Bollocks to the Economy’ in a bid to force the issue of fox-hunting and blood sports onto the political agenda in the run-up to next week’s election.

The wide range of celebs – from the world of TV, music and comedy – have all played a part in the tongue-in-cheek video that pokes fun at the three Party leaders’ failure to get to grips with the economy and calls on the public to use their vote to support the fox-hunting ban.

‘Bollocks to the Economy’ – available to view now on Youtube [below] – forms part of Brian May’s ‘Save Me’ campaign to prevent the return of legalised blood sports in the British countryside.

» Link to video

Brian May said: “This video is meant to be fun, but of course there is a very serious message behind it. If the Conservatives are elected to power, fox-hunting, hare coursing and stag hunting will soon again be legal. These barbaric blood sports have no place in today’s society, and the Save Me campaign urges everyone to make their vote count – for our native animals. Save Me says – For God’s sake, don’t give David Cameron the power to bring back this cruelty.”

Link:
http://www.save-me.org.uk/

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/SaveMe2010

Additional – via The Guardian:

Hunting ban should be repealed early in Conservative government, says Tory MP

“Tory credibility would be shot to pieces if party does not fulfil bloodsports pledge quickly, Daniel Kawczynski claims in video”

The ban on bloodsports should be repealed in the early months of an incoming Conservative government, according to a Tory MP featured in a pro-hunting video.

The comments by the Conservative candidate for Shrewsbury and Atcham, Daniel Kawczynski, suggest the issue should be given greater priority than is official party policy.

His remarks, made in a video for the pro-hunting group Vote OK, have emerged as the organisation mobilises thousands of supporters to deliver leaflets backing MPs who favour the return of hunting wild mammals with dogs.

» Link to article

- Lots more articles.

Hello ! QueerVeg is a social group for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, transgendered and/or Queer) Vegans and vegetarians in Merseyside! We meet on the second Saturday of each month, at 8pm in the Egg Cafe, to eat, drink and be merry, in a nice chilled out Queer atmosphere. For more info: email on: Queerveg@live.co.uk Phone on: 07859 208 599 Or find us on Facebook! Just search “QueerVeg” and Look for Gus the super-Asparagus! See you at dinner!

Their Facebook page is here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=241196176881&v=wall