GRAPHIC VIDEO; WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUSES IN THE UK…Why no ban yet?? Please help!

“Please, if you care about wild animals being exploited for entertainment & money, take action & send an email to the links below; I don’t know about you, but I am sick of being hoodwinked! The BRITISH Government are stalling for some reason, whilst other Countries (even those known for their poor welfare of animals) have managed a ban….why not England?? All those in government need to watch the video at the end of this post, even though posted in 2010, little has changed, for animals are still being beaten into submission by cruel trainers, taking their own frustrations out, on sentient beings, who can’t speak about the abuse. Circuses are interested only in the money their animal performances bring in, which brings horrific suffering to those entrusted to entertain…THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT HAVE TO HONOUR THEIR PROMISE OF A BAN ON WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUSES ASAP…I only feel total empathy & sorrow for those sentient beings left, like horse & dogs etc. Who will still suffer the abuse, confinement & training of circus life; it’s heartbreaking to see horses with stereotypical behaviour!”

“All circus animals live a life of abuse, confinement & constant beatings (often for no reason, other than the trainer feels like letting off some personal steam) just to entertain the public…which is simply not right & should be banned ASAP! Personally I don’t think any animal wild or domesticated animal, should be used & abused for monetary gain; all animals should be banned from circuses!! They don’t belong in solitary confinement, with repetitive beatings… simply going stir crazy, because they are so distressed… pacing back & forth in cramped cages, no animal deserve to suffer this stereotypic behaviour??PERIOD!”

“I would so love to see those who beat the animals, get a taste of their own medicine! But then, as is usual, any animal that attacks a human (irrelevant of the constant beatings it has endured over the years etc) will ultimately be shot; can no one see why these animals attack? They are mentally broken, beaten & humiliated….I wouldn’t blame any animal that struck back at its human trainer….perhaps if the animals were not so scared of the beatings, there would be more!!

“Those who watch the video & or still choose to go to circuses etc; are on the wrong blog! There is nothing here for those who don’t understand the suffering these sentient beings endure, at the hands of humans! If you have no interest in helping animals & sticking up for the voiceless…PLEASE…bog off from my blog!!!”

The Born Free Foundation has been working steadily for many years for an end to the use of wild animals in circuses.

No Animal Should Be Used and Abused For Entertainment

In the UK, we participated in a government-convened Circus Working Group in the late 1990s and again in 2006. We have investigated and exposed the treatment of wild animals in circuses on many occasions, and helped to relocate animals from circuses to better conditions.

Numbers of circuses with wild animals and the number of wild animals used by circuses have declined in recent years but we consider that a ban on wild animals in circuses across the UK is long overdue. A travelling circus environment simply cannot provide for the needs of wild animals.

For the latest on the progress towards a ban in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, please see our news items.

 URGENT! – ASK CAMERON AND CLEGG TO BRING CURTAIN DOWN ON WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUSES

Dear Supporters and Friends

I was shocked when I discovered that the ban on wild animals in travelling circuses in England was not mentioned in the Queen’s Speech in June 2014. I am sure you are as disappointed as I am.  But I will certainly not give up.  There is still a slim chance that the Government could make the dream of a ban a reality – but I need your immediate help.

It is vital that the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister hear from compassionate citizens as a matter of urgency and I am, therefore, asking you to take 5 minutes to contact them, urging them to ensure that a ban is introduced by Government as a priority.

The key points to make in your letter or email are:

• The Government made a commitment to bring in a ban on wild animals in travelling circuses in England in March 2012, and has repeatedly confirmed their commitment ever since.
• There is now a very limited window of opportunity for the government to make good on its promise of a ban within this session of Parliament. Parliament is scheduled to be dissolved at the end of March 2015.
• Draft legislation to ban has already been introduced in Parliament. This legislation is not considered to be controversial, has the overwhelming support of Parliamentarians, and could progress quickly through Parliament.
• There is strong public support for a ban which would be a quick and easy “win” for this Government.
• Any delay in bringing in a ban in England could reduce the chances of bringing in bans in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Leading animal protection organisations including the Born Free Foundation, RSPCA, the Captive Animals’ Protection Society, and the British Veterinary Association are all agreed that a ban is long overdue.
• Quite simply, a ban is the right thing to do in a compassionate society that cares about animals and we must not let this opportunity be lost!

Please help and take five minutes to contact the offices of Prime Minister Rt Hon David Cameron MP and the Deputy Prime Minister Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP by following these links:

https://email.number10.gov.uk/

http://engage.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/deputy-prime-ministers-office/contact-the-deputy-prime-minister/

Or write to them:

The Prime Minister-

10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA

The Deputy Prime Minister –

Cabinet Office
70 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2AS

Thank you so much for reading this and I do hope you will help.

With all good wishes

Virginia

NB. If you wish to help Born Free’s ongoing work on captive wild animals, please consider making adonation to assist our Zoo Check campaign

News Link:-http://www.bornfree.org.uk/campaigns/zoo-check/circuses-performing-animals/uk-circuses/

Ugliest Show On Earth

Uploaded on 7 Apr 2010 – ANIMAL DEFENDERS INTERNATIONAL.

The Ugliest Show on Earth report (USoE) and video chart the findings of an 18-month study and investigation into the use of animals in circuses – the most comprehensive study of animals in circuses ever undertaken.

Between 1996 and 1998, ADI undercover Field Officers worked in 13 UK animal circuses and winter quarters, and 5 foreign circuses which were exhibiting animals supplied by UK circus animal suppliers and trainers.

The team of five people involved in the undercover work made observations totalling 7,280 hours. Over 700 hours of videotape was recorded, with nearly 400 hours of this being used in evidence for the prosecutions which followed the publication of the report and release of the video programme of the same name.

The video highlights the main findings of the study and is probably most famous for the shocking scenes of brutality to elephants and chimpanzees at Mary Chipperfield Promotions in Hampshire, UK. These scenes allowed ADI to issue summonses for cruelty to animals which were subsequently taken over by the UKs Crown Prosecution Service, and convictions for cruelty were secured against Mary Chipperfield Cawley, her husband Roger Cawley, and their elephant keeper, Michael Steve Gills.

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Related articles

• Cameron Stands By Wild Animals Circus Ban (news.sky.com)
• Sir Roger Moore and Imelda Staunton Urge the Queen of England to Ban Animal Circuses (onegreenplanet.org)
• Dangerous fun: The circus as workplace (mysafetysign.com)
• UK Prime Minister Promises to Carry Out Ban on Wild Animal in Circuses (onegreenplanet.org)
• Animals still “enduring terrible suffering” in UK circuses (voiceofrussia.com)
• UK Government to Ban Performing Circus Animals (ibtimes.co.uk)
• Circuses to be banned from using wild animals (guardian.co.uk)
• England to ban wild animals at circuses (timesofmalta.com)
• 5 Abuse Cases That Prove We Need to Ban Circuses (onegreenplanet.org)
• Landmark Bill to Outlaw Wild Animals in Traveling Circuses Introduced to Congress! (onegreenplanet.org)

Wild Animal Circus Ban Under Threat!

“Lets be honest, the UK Government have done nothing to instil public confidence into their ability to make sure wild animals are protected! Hence, this is another person not getting their vote! They have done nothing but lie about their real intentions on the circus bill & I just hate those who try to pull the wool over your eyes!! Countries who hardly have any animal welfare rules have managed to implement the bill, so why not the UK?? Like I said in a previous post, what are they scared of??? They are pathetic & I’m ashamed to be English!!”

Recommendations made to Government that circus ban should not remove a single wild animal from the big top

A select committee report released this morning following the consideration of the UK Government’s proposals to ban the use of all wild animals in circuses has been strongly criticised by animal protection campaigners for its recommendation that any initial prohibition should be limited to big cats and elephants only.

CAPS and campaign partners point out that, given that there are no elephants or big cats in English circuses, any ban introduced along these lines would fail to protect any of the wild animals still being used in big tops around the country. A spokesperson said “in effect, a ban introduced on the basis that has now been recommended would be absolutely meaningless for those wild animals that the Government has promised to protect”.

A draft bill was published in April and, in line with the long-term discourse on the use of wild animals in circuses, the calls made in various parliamentary debates and the results of the 2010 public consultation on the matter, the Government proposed to seek a full ban on the use of all wild animals in circuses. This news was welcomed by campaigners who have worked for many years to secure this new law.

However, in today’s report to Government following scrutiny of this draft bill, the EFRA Select Committee suggests that public concern is limited to species of wild animal such as elephants and big cats, but not to animals such as snakes, racoons and zebras. The report goes on to make the claim that public concern on the issue stems from the mistaken perception “that large numbers of elephants and big cats are still used in performances in travelling circuses”. However there is no evidence to support this assertion which, according to campaigners, “appears to be little more than ill-informed conjecture”.

A spokesperson for CAPS, The RSPCA, The Born Free Foundation and the British Veterinary Association said:

“To make this suggestion is to ignore the calls of the 94% of respondents to the 2010 public consultation on this matter, to dismiss the reams of evidence and opinion published in Hansard, and to overlook the outcome of dozens of hours of parliamentary debate, dating back to 2005 and earlier; all of which clearly demonstrate the overwhelming support for a ban on all wild animals in travelling circuses. We request in the strongest possible terms that the Government rejects this recommendation and continues with its commendable plan to ban the use of all wild animals in circuses in England, as promised.”

CAPS Director, Liz Tyson, added:

“If the EFRA committee’s recommendation is followed, not one of the animals currently performing in circus shows in the England will be covered by the ban.  It is vital that we make our voices heard on this important issue; not just for the 21 wild animals who are currently being exploited in English circuses, but for the future generations of animals that will be subjected to the same for years to come if we do not secure an all-species ban”.

The 2009/2010 consultation on the use of wild animals in circuses asked the question of respondents: “Do you think that there are any species of wild animal which it is acceptable to use in travelling circuses?” and 95.5% of respondents answered “No”.

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ACTION ALERT!

CAPS is calling on supporters to take urgent action by writing to the Defra minister, Lord de Mauley, to ask him to reject any suggestion of narrowing the scope of the ban and deliver on his promise that “this legislation will end the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in this country. It will also help ensure that our international reputation as a leading protector of animals continues into a new global era”.

Please don’t delay – this quick and easy action will help to demonstrate that the public want a ban on the exploitation of all wild animals in travelling circuses.

Email Lord de Mauley: demauley@parliament.uk

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Our work is only made possible for your kind support. We still have a long way to go to get the animals out of the circus. Please consider making a donation to help us to help them.

Thank you

Read the full EFRA committee report: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/environment-food-and-rural-affairs-committee/news/wac-report/

News Link:-http://www.captiveanimals.org/news/2013/07/wild-animal-circus-ban-under-threat

Part 2 of 2:Danger Drug In UK Horsemeat: Tests Reveal Health Hazard AFTER Meat Was Exported To Europe

“In my opinion, horses shouldn’t even be on any menu, to those that own horses as pleasure horses, they are our pets just as much as dogs or cats; therefore they should be given the same rights as pets….you wouldn’t eat your puppy or cat (unless you lived in Asia perhaps) Thank Christ I am vegetarian, virtually vegan! But if I did eat animals this would be something that would turn my stomach & make me go vegetarian…I couldn’t possibly eat any in case one of my friends is in it!!” 

‘Business as usual’ at plant watchdog said had been shut

A British factory accused of turning horses into burgers and kebabs continued to operate yesterday despite official claims it had been shut down.

The discovery concerning Farmbox Meats, based near Aberystwyth, was further evidence of the shambles surrounding the handling of the scandal.

Farmbox Meats Ltd business owner Dafydd Raw-Rees, pictured yesterday in Llandre near Aberystwyth, west Wales

On Tuesday, the Government’s Food Standards Agency announced that Farmbox Meats and a slaughterhouse in Yorkshire, which had allegedly supplied horse carcasses, had been closed.

The abattoir is owned and run by Peter Boddy of Todmorden, who has a licence to shoot and slaughter unwanted or injured racehorses.

The FSA issued a categorical statement, saying: ‘The FSA has suspended operations at both these plants.’ 
It went on to declare that it and the police had ‘detained all meat found and seized paperwork, including customer lists from the two companies’.

However, yesterday morning the owner of the Farmbox factory insisted it was ‘business as usual’ and accused the FSA of being ‘untruthful’. Staff wearing hair nets were busy de- boning and cutting horse carcasses ready for export to Belgium.

Outside the plant stood large blue crates of meat of unspecified origin, with no evidence of FSA officials or the police on the site. It is housed in an anonymous-looking white-walled concrete building down a narrow country lane in the Ceredigion hills.

The factory is owned by local businessman Dafydd Raw-Rees, 64, a former turkey farmer who is president-elect of the local golf club. He was arrested in 2002 over an alleged offence of supplying meat from illegally slaughtered livestock but was never charged.

The manager of the Farmbox plant, Colin Patterson, was tried at Swansea Crown Court and later acquitted.

In a separate case, his co-defendant Carmello Gale was in 2004 jailed for six months for running an illegal abattoir near Llandysul, West Wales.

Andrew Rhodes, director of operations at the FSA, said its raid on Tuesday established that ‘horse meat had been used as though it were beef in kebabs and burgers at that premises’.

But last night Mr Raw-Rees said that while the plant did handle horse carcasses, it did not process any meat and hadn’t passed it off as beef.

Denying he had been ordered to suspend production, Mr Raw-Rees said he had only begun de-boning horse meat supplied from Ireland three weeks ago.“Only 3 weeks ago, bit suspicious??”

‘It is taken from here to Belgium and I get paid for doing the cutting up,’ he said. ‘I don’t do kebab meat, minced meat or beef burgers. There is absolutely no cross contamination.’

Mr Raw-Rees claimed he had only had three deliveries of cattle from the Todmorden slaughterhouse. 

Locals described Mr Raw-Rees as a ‘colourful character’ who had told them work at the plant – which employs 14 people – had ‘taken off’ after it started handling horse meat.

Later the FSA said: ‘All meat on site was detained yesterday. This morning we confirmed in writing their licence to operate is suspended.’

Government accused of ‘catastrophic complacency’

Published on 14 Feb 2013

no description available

News Link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2278342/Danger-drug-UK-horsemeat-Tests-reveal-health-hazard-AFTER-meat-exported-Europe.html#ixzz2Ku1dfB00

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With Your Invaluable Support, The League, RSPCA And Other Organisations Will Continue To Oppose The Badger Cull in 2013.

“Please watch the video below, from last year…then please sign petitions etc. Together we can save the badgers”

The Government’s proposed badger cull, set to go ahead last year was postponed after a sustained and comprehensive campaign that involved numerous organisations, including the League and our supporters, coming together as Team Badger.

Last year over 160,000 people also signed a Government e-petition, far exceeding the 100,000 signatures needed to be considered for a House of Commons debate, which went ahead on 25th October.

The Parliamentary vote against the badger cull was overwhelming: 147 votes to 28 votes, with the majority of MPs agreeing with scientists, animal welfare organisations and the general public, that the cull is wrong and would be ineffective on scientific, humanitarian and practical grounds.

However, the vote is not binding and the Government are still planning to resume culling this summer.

The League, our partner organisations and supporters are committed, therefore, to continue with the campaign to ensure the cull isn’t just postponed, but abandoned for good, in favour of vaccinating badgers and developing an effective bovine TB vaccine.

As part of Team Badger, the League recently submitted evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee inquiry, which is looking into vaccination alternative to culling and is due to report later this year.

Vaccination has already been a proven success in Wales, where over 1,400 badgers have already been protected against bovine TB as part of a five year programme of work to eradicate TB completely. The badger vaccination initiative in Wales reflects the constructive alternative to culling that the League, along with “Team Badger”, is calling for. It also demonstrates the co-operation that is possible between the farming industry and government in taking swift, positive and decisive action against the spread of Bovine TB.

The League, alongside our campaign partners, believes strongly that vaccination of both badgers and cattle and better husbandry are the most effective and long-term way to tackle this terrible disease. Together we successfully came together to ensure badgers had a stay of execution in 2012 and we are now working for a full and permanent pardon in 2013.

What can I do to stop the cull happening this summer?

You should contact your MP to remind them that the badger cull is set to go ahead in summer of 2013. You should ensure that they know the evidence and science against the cull and ask them to make sure they will continue to oppose the cull in 2013.

Link:-http://www.league.org.uk/faq/32/Badger-Cull-FAQs

Keep checking back at this site for more news & next steps to take:- http://www.league.org.uk/content/643/Badger-Cull

Badger cull to begin from June, Environment Secretary confirms

Conservative MP Owen Paterson said that, if successful, the cull aimed at stopping bovine tuberculosis would be rolled out across the country next year.

It has not been confirmed where this summer’s pilot culls will take place, however the National Farmers Union (NFU) said it believed they would be in Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Animal rights campaigners expressed dismay, claiming there is still no scientific evidence to support the cull and that the move is against the wishes of the British public.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Paterson said: “We need to make sure that these two trials are carried out in a professional and scientific manner and if we prove that this works we will continue.”

The Government wants to stop the animals spreading the disease which has cost the taxpayer £500m in the last decade. That figure is expected to rise to £1bn in the next 10 years.

Adam Quinney, the vice president of the National Farmers’ Union, welcomed the decision and said they had expected the cull to go ahead this summer.

“The two licences have been issued for two areas in Gloucestershire and Somerset and they still stand.

“There have been discussions about looking at alternative areas just because it is prudent,” he said.

A spokeswoman for The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed: “The earliest the cull can take place is from June 1, and it will definitely be going ahead this summer.”

The cull cannot take place before then for a number of reasons, including licence restrictions and welfare concerns for badger’s caring for their young.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said they were “deeply disappointed” with the plans to cull the animals tomorrow as there is no “real proof” that it will help either cows or badgers and called for Defra to look again at alternatives including vaccines.

They said: “The Government must think again and the RSPCA will continue to campaign against the cull until it does so.

“After this year’s postponement we had hoped that the government would finally see sense and pay attention to the vast amount of scientific research showing that a cull will be ineffective, wasteful and potentially damaging to the welfare of both farm and wild animals.

“The vaccination of both badgers and cattle along with more effective biosecurity is the only approach which addresses the welfare of both cattle and badgers and the long term livelihood of farmers.

“This announcement flies in the face of the views of a huge majority of MPs who voted against the cull as well as the majority of the British public and the overwhelming weight of scientific opinion. The RSPCA stands ready to work alongside all those seeking an alternative to this barbaric cull.”

News Link:–http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/agriculture/farming/9828358/Badger-cull-to-begin-from-June-Environment-Secretary-confirms.html

British Badger Cull – Channel 4 News

Published on 19 Sep 2012

UK channel 4 news item with Brian May, badger supported and guitarist with Queen and Jan Rowe, cattle farmer, debating the badger cull which is taking part in the UK now. 
This programme was first shown in the UK on Monday, September 17th, 2012 
If you are against the cull please support http://www.teambadger.org

Relevant sites & petitions:-

• http://www.savethebadger.com/
  
• http://www.badger.org.uk/Content/Home.asp
• Petition :http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/badgers-petition#petition
• Petition: http://www.save-me.org.uk/BAD_badgersME.html
• Government Petition: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/38257
• Petition & Info:- http://www.badgerprotectionleague.com/
• http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/wildlife/laws/badgers
• Petition to government: http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaigns/wildlife/badgers/takeaction
• Tweet to UK Prime Minister: https://twitter.com/Number10gov

A selection of related items, to find more, type Badgers in the search box in my blog:-

• https://preciousjules1985.wordpress.com/2012/09/08/kill-the-cull-not-englands-badgers/
  
• https://preciousjules1985.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/full-scale-badger-cull-set-to-get-government-go-ahead/
• https://preciousjules1985.wordpress.com/2012/09/13/brian-may-heads-to-bristol-for-badger-cull-rally/
• https://preciousjules1985.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/sign-the-petition-to-stop-the-english-badger-cull/

Some Lie Dying – Please Sign the 8 Hour Rule For Live Transport

“Following on from the previous post, this was filmed in 2010! Not much has changed has it, yet we were promised the animals would be better cared for, hence this video…I don’t see that do you? Please read the letter below then go to the link to sign it, 8 hours live transport, would you be thirsty & hungry??  If so, please sign below!”

Viewer Discretion is Advised 

Uploaded by animallog on 15 Sep 2010

Each year millions of sheep, pigs and cattle are transported across Europe, often on extremely long journeys.
© http://www.ciwf.org.uk/ 
*** For more info: http://www.animal-tv.org ***

Please support the 8 hour rule:-http://www.8hours.eu/8hours_en

Why 8 Hours?

Every year millions of animals are transported along European highways, and too often under unacceptable conditions.

In 2002, the European Commission‘s Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare published the report “The Welfare of Animals during Transport” concluding that animal transports, as a ground rule, should be as short as possible. This recommendation is, however, not reflected in the current EU legislation.

Read more about the current EU legislation here .

According to current legislation animal transports up to several days are acceptable as long as the haulier fulfills simple demands concerning e.g. rest, feeding and watering of the animals. We do not think this is acceptable.

For a long time, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, concerned citizens and politicians have argued that something has to be done. Animals for slaughter should never be transported for more than eight hours.

“– Most of what you see in the video is illegal in the EU – Yet it goes on, education & awareness is the only thing that will help these sentient beings. Please sign the petition for the 8 hour ruling…this is the letter, you just have to sign it at the link below or here:- http://www.8hours.eu/letter_to_dalli/  2 minutes of your time could save 2 million animals from suffering, please sign it for the animals.”

Dear Commissioner John Dalli, 

On the 8hours website I listened to your statement in which, on Thursday 7 June 2012, you announced that ‘by 2014 the Commission will publish a legislative proposal’. This proposal, according to what you said, would include animal transport. As you told the delegation of MEPs and animal welfare organisations in the meeting that preceded the hand-in of the 1,103,248 signatures of the 8hours petition, this proposal should lead to reductions in transport times too. You know that such steps are necessary, and you publicly affirmed in the press conference conference on that same day that ‘some species of animals require a much lower figure than 8 hours’. 

You then denied your own words less than a week later! 

How can European citizens trust their institutions if their opinion – and that of their elected representatives – can be so blatantly disregarded, and if there are even attempts to claim that those words were never pronounced? 

Commissioner Dalli, it is my understanding that the European Commission has a duty to represent the interests of all European citizens, not just those of a few people who profit from animal suffering. 

In your specific role as Commissioner responsible for animal welfare, you should feel compelled to do your best to put into practice the mandate of Article 13 of the EU Treaty that says that ‘In formulating and implementing the Union’s agriculture (…) policies, the Union and the Member States shall, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals (…)’. 

You are aware of the fact that some rules have been in place for over 20 years and never been enforced. One more promise that they will be enforced in the future – rather than a commitment to change them, and especially to limit transport times – is simply not credible, and fails to tackle the huge problems suffered by transported animals on European roads. It is also offensive to all Europeans who care about animal welfare. 

I am therefore writing to you to ask that you not only maintain the laudable commitment you made publicly on 7 June on the occasion of the hand-in of the 8hours petition, but commit yourself to bringing forward effective legislative proposals before 2014, taking into account the mandate of Art. 13 of the Treaty, and respecting the right of European citizens to be fully represented by their institutions. 

Yours faithfully 

http://www.8hours.eu/letter_to_dalli/

And ask your friends to do the same.