Live exporters have no legal obligation to ensure the welfare of Australian dairy cows once overseas, leaving our animals vulnerable to rough handling, abuse and cruel slaughter.

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This week we saw what happens to Australian animals who are ‘protected’ by live export regulations. Imagine what happens to the animals who don’t even qualify for protection. This is the case for the 90,000 dairy cows who are exported live every year from Australia. Even though they are exposed to the same risks and suffering as animals exported for slaughter, dairy cows and their calves are excluded from the most basic live export standards once they arrive at their destination. Live exporters have no legal obligation to ensure the welfare of Australian dairy cows once overseas, leaving our animals vulnerable to rough handling, abuse and cruel slaughter. These dairy cows are the forgotten victims of the live export trade. The Government says it is too hard to protect them. We say it’s time to end the trade. Add your voice to the campaign to end dairy cow exports.  SIGN THE PETITION

Part 3: The conscious consumer becomes the aware and ethical shopper. Destroy the slavers from the checkouts of Australia!

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS A PETITION TO SIGN 

AFTER LAST NIGHT'S SLAVING AWAY ON FOUR CORNERS. 

PLEASE SIGN IT. GET IT AROUND. YOU WILL FIND IT HERE.

Hopefully, this post, Part 3 on the Four Corners program, Slaving Away, is the last ... but who knows?

Please remember the words at left: 

Every time you spend money, 

you're casting a vote 

for the kind of world you want.

One thing Slaving Away makes clear is there is room for the conscientious, ethical shopper.  If you are someone who has breezed through your shopping only focusing on personal needs or needs of your household; if you are someone who has never considered the term 'ethics' in relation to visits to Coles, Aldi, Woolworths, then now is the time to step up.

First of all, let me introduce you to Shop Ethical!  

Shop Ethical! still continues as it started - a booklet you can keep with your wallet for your shopping trips.  Then it became a website. And now, for your smart phone, there is an app.  Shop Ethical can tell you about sustainable fishing, fair trade, human and animal rights abuses... and more.

However, it is best if you can keep up for yourself because quite often the naughties make the headlines.

Take Baiada, the poultry people. Their brands are well-known: Lilydale (a major supplier to Coles  and even the cooked chooks at Coles are Lilydale) and Steggles. 

However, it is not only chooks that Baiada kill.  They kill people too. And racism has been an issue within its migrant workforce.  Hardly the employer of your choice - that's if you really had a choice, which many migrant workers do not have.

I steer clear of Baiada products since all that came to my notice.  I am predominantly vegetarian but another household member is a carnivore - so chook is bought once a week for that person.  However, since the slavery accusations, I have declared to the household that chicken is DEFINITELY off the menu until I can find a really ethical source.  I don't rank my chances highly!

Akers Farms (turn to Part 2) apparently provides most of the sweet potatoes up and down the east coast.  I'm going to go back to local farmers markets and see what I can find in the way of an ethical source.  

As you, the ethical consumer will realise, fruit and veg in the major suppliers comes either on a plastic wrapped tray or loose.  I've never paid much attention - but I did happen to note that I bought some packaged celery and zucchini from Aldi and one gave information about the supplier.  I think we, as ethical shoppers, have to be able to check the source of a product if we wish.  So I am going to be writing to the Big 3 asking for the source of the product to be supplied on the loose fruit and veg.  

It is noteworthy that Slaving Away did not deal with Metcash, the suppliers of IGAs.  Not enough hours in the day?  Brands the same and if dealt with once in the Big 3, no need to go there again?

So what will the ethical shopper be looking out for:

• Fair Trade -v- Unfair Trade
• Animal cruelty
• Human cruelty - as in Slaving Away
• Fair pay and safe working conditions
• Union membership
• Local product and produce to support local jobs and firms
• Ethical corporate conduct
• Pricing - fair, too high, too low.  Watch out for too low. How? Why? What shortcuts?
• Quality

If you think of a few other necessary things to add to the above list, please let me know.

What does it matter if they die a suffocating death? After all, they are only living, breathing beings.

From The Weekly Times

Cattle suffocates on flight

Rob Harris |  October 24, 2013

AUSTRALIAN cattle have suffocated during a flight from Melbourne to Kazakhstan, foreign media reports.

The shipment of 321 purebred Angus and Hereford heifers were on a Boeing 747 cargo flight as part of a breeding Kazakhstan government breeding program, according to Kazakh news service Tengrinews.

The 49 heifers suffocated when the air conditioning system malfunctioned, the Veterinarian Service of the Agricultural Ministry said.

They were found dead when the shipment landed in Almaty following a 17-hour flight which included refuelling in Singapore.

"The airplane carrying the live cargo arrived today during the night. But it was discovered that part of the cattle died along the way,'' he said.

The report suggest the cattle were loaded on to the plane in "a bi-level configuration in special boxes", with those on the lower level surviving.

It is believed the deaths were caused when the cows' natural wastes - ammonia _ became the source of poisonous vapors and they suffocated because of insufficient supply of oxygen, a Kazakh veterinarian said.

The Federal Department of Agriculture confirmed this afternoon it was investigating a "live animal exports reportable mortality incident that occurred onboard a flight to Kazakhstan''.

A spokesman said the exporter loaded breeder cattle onto a flight from Melbourne this week.

"As part of normal processes, the exporter advised the department that the reportable mortality level for cattle during the flight had been exceeded,'' he said.

"The department is investigating the reasons for the mortalities, working with the exporter.''

Garry Robinson, chief executive officer of Western Australian-based Livestock Shipping Services, said he was waiting on a report US-based Atlas Air for more information.

He said the shipment was the first of five in the past month to experience problems taking cattle to Kazakhstan.

Mr Robinson said reports of the deaths were "very puzzling and deeply concerning''.

Victory over caged eggs. Congratulations to Woolworths on its decision. Big Thank You to Animals Australia

Click here to share this victory on facebook! Woolworths will phase out cage eggs over five years, but you can help chickens today! Click here to read our no-nonsense guide to eggs and understand what labels really mean for hens. Dear Miss Eagle, Today is a historic day for hens — and you made it possible! Supermarket giant Woolworths has announced a complete phase out of cage eggs over the next five years. And what motivated them to free battery hens from cages? You. Woolworths says that rising consumer concern for animals is the primary motivator behind today's landmark announcement. If ever there was a sign that the key to ending factory farming rests in the hands of informed consumers — this is it. Animals Australia's Make it Possiblecampaign has already reached millions of Australians with the truth about cage eggsand factory farming. And we'll continue to expose these cruel industries until every animal is freed from factory farms. Your generous support can help free animals even sooner. Miss, this is yet another nail in the coffin of factory farming. Thank you, on behalf of hens everywhere, for making it possible. Lyn White Campaign Director P.S. If you haven't yet, please take a few minutes today to watch and share the life-changing 'Make it Possible' film. Together, we will make a world without factory farming possible! Donate now — Watch the film — Learn more

If you think of every dollar you spend as a vote, there is still a lot of stuff to vote for or against!

So this week we have a new Prime Minister...

Whether or not the outcome of the election is what you hoped for, never forget that your 'vote' remains immensely powerful. And you need not wait three years to exercise it...

A vote today to walk past the cage eggs in the supermarket can save a hen from a life of misery in a battery cage.

A vote against factory farmed products will bring pigs confined in crates so small they cannot turn around, one important step closer to freedom.

A vote to bypass the pet shop and adopt your next four legged family member from an animal shelter will give a loving cat or dog a second chance.

A vote to treat yourself to dairy-free chocolate, yoghurt and ice creams will help save a dairy calf from a trip to the abattoir at just 5 days of age.

A vote to reduce or replace the animal products in your shopping trolley next week could save lives and help save the planet.

A vote to teach kindness to children will pay dividends for generations.

And a vote to stay the course with us and be a voice for our fellow species will speed the day when all animals are afforded the respect and compassion they so desperately deserve.

Thank you, in every way, on every day, for voting for a kinder world!

The Animals Australia team.

P.S. The change in government has only strengthened our resolve to campaign vigorously on behalf of animals in the live export trade. We'd like to share our thoughts with you about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Click here to read more  »

Feeding the 7 billion ... what are we feeding ourselves?

From Tash Reus ~~~

La surconsommation from Lasurconsommation on Vimeo.

Wonder how we feed 7 billion people?  Not graphic, just sad, but really worth watching. Looks at our relationships with the animals we consume. We need to be accountable for how our food is produced and we need to appreciate the repercussions of our decisions.  

If you don't see anything wrong with this....maybe watch it again. 

I shall pass through this world but once, any good thing therefore I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now, let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.Stephen Grellet

The animals you eat are not those who devour others; you do not eat the carnivorous beasts, you take them as your pattern. You only hunger after sweet and gentle creatures who harm no one, which follow you, serve you, and are devoured by you as the reward of their service. John Jacques Rousseau

God loved the birds and invented trees.  Man loved the birds and invented cages.  Jacques Deval, Afin de vivre bel et bien

The history of cancer research has been a history of curing cancer in the mouse. We have cured mice of cancer for decades, and it simply didn’t work in humans.Dr Richard Klausner, Director, National Cancer Institute, LA Times, May 6. 1998

Calling all Animal Activists - boost both your info and action levels - 2013 Animal Activists Forum

The information below has been published with permission 19th & 20th October 2013, Melbourne

2013 Animal Activists Forum   Early Bird Ticketing Due to increased demand, we have extended Early bird ticketing until this Friday August 2nd at midnight. If you haven't bought your tickets yet, register now and be quick to take this opportunity to save! Ticket prices are as follows: Early Bird general admission: $100General admission: $125 Concession: $70 (available only to those financially disadvantaged individuals such as unemployed or studying full-time) Solidarity: $250 (for those individuals who are able to support the forum financially; each individual who purchases a solidarity ticket will receive an individualised e-mail and certificate post-event) Program The weekend program is nearing completion with some great national and international speakers confirmed. For a complete list of confirmed speakers visit here. Day of Activism As mentioned, AAF has organised a Day of Activism for Friday October 18th. Please e-mail bookings@activistsforum.com if you would like to register your attendance for the full day. This is your best opportunity to understand the movement in Melbourne, at the grass-roots level. From presentations to a mid-morning protest and sampling some of Melbourne's best vegan fair, this is a day not to be missed! For those activists arriving on Friday night, drinks and a late dinner will be organised closer to the date. Any updates will be posted on our Facebook page so be sure to like us to stay up to date.

follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2013 Animal Activists Forum, All rights reserved.  Our mailing address is:  Animal Activists Forum 37 O'Connell Street North Melbourne Melbourne, Victoria 3051 Australia Add us to your address book

How much is cheap meat really costing us? Voiceless and its guests raise the question and make their case

Dear Networkers, Have you ever thought that the sticker price of cheap meat doesn’t match its actual cost? Who is paying the real price for cheaper meat at the checkout? Voiceless is proud to announce the launch of a new project which investigates these questions and their greater impact. In collaboration with EyeLevel – a new initiative aimed at promoting thought leadership – we’re challenging Australians to think about the intensive farming practices which make cheap meat possible. Voiceless has brought together a roster of leading Australians to answer key questions about the ethical, environmental and health costs of cheap meat. With an introduction from former High Court judge the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, the panel also comprises: Former Treasury Secretary Dr Ken Henry AC Leader of the Opposition in the NSW Legislative Council, the Hon Luke Foley MLC Author and academic Dr Deidre Wicks Renowned international animal lawyer Antoine Goetschel Director of Feather and Bone Laura Dalrymple The Eyelevel format gives panellists the opportunity to speak on a number of thought-provoking topics, compiling their responses into an interactive video platform, which is now available for you to watch here. This is a significant opportunity to raise public awareness about factory farming and the conditions that animals raised for food are forced to endure throughout their short lives.  Please share this fantastic resource with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter, post it on your blog or forward this email to your colleagues. Start a conversation today to help end factory farming tomorrow.   Thanks for your continued support, Dana Campbell Chief Executive Officer

Up to date news on animals and animal cruelty from Voiceless

Progress within the animal protection movement has given Voiceless a strong start to 2013, offering hope and the potential for real change for the animals. While there has been good news, in recent weeks we’ve been shocked by some startling cruelty cases which have emerged from around the country. These events demonstrate that we have a long way to go towards making animal protection the next great social justice movement and something that is in the forefront of every Australian's mind. Voiceless will continue to work to this end and we hope that you will rally your support this year so we can build better legal protections for animals across Australia in 2013. Issue #28: Autumn 2013 Inghams horror reignites CCTV debate  Last month, the ABC revealed a case of horrific abuse at an Inghams turkey processing facility, reigniting debates about the best ways to prevent and prosecute crimes against animals.  The Greens have proposed a bill for compulsory CCTV surveillance in NSW abattoirs but the move has been met with resistance from industry groups. Read more A note from Miss Eagle:  Please note that Inghams have sold to a private equity firm.  Miss E wonders why.  The age of the Ingham family? Sick of their actions being highlighted by those on the side of the animals?  To read about the sale please go here. 2013 Animal Law Lecture Series Registrations are now open for the 2013 Animal Law Lecture Series this year titled The Animal Voice: Securing Interests Through Law. Touring 12 venues across the country, the Lecture Series will be led by international keynote speaker, Antoine F. Goetschel who will address the relationship between ethics and law and whether a legal voice for animals can make a difference. Read more What's happening in animal law Voiceless’s legal team has been working hard to grow animal law and build stronger protections for animals in Australia. So far in 2013 we’ve travelled around the country and met with government to discuss a range of animal law issues with more in store for the coming months. Read more Shalom chaver In her latest blog entry Ondine Sherman, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Voiceless, describes how learning Hebrew while living in Israel has forced her to reflect on the power of language to create meaning and effect change within social justice movements. Read more

Don’t forget to register for the 2013 Animal Law Lecture Series, touring a city near you in April and May. We are always delighted to meet our supporters and fellow animal advocates on the road so reserve your place at one of the12 national venues today before time runs out. Looking forward to seeing you there, Brian Sherman AM Ondine Sherman Dana Campbell Co-Founder and Managing Director Co-Founder and Managing Director Chief Executive Officer Voiceless, the animal protection institute.

Find us on Facebook Voiceless Limited ABN 49 108 494 631  Follow us on Twitter To unsubscribe please click here.    Watch us on YouTube   Make a donation to Voiceless Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in a web browser.

Killing the kids ... well, er, the calves

This little dairy calf was found lying against the bars of a noisy holding pen. He was calling for his mother, but he would never see her again. Instead, born without economic 'worth', he had been discarded — destined to be killed — like most calves born into the Australian dairy industry... Theirs is a story that's seldom told, and very rarely seen. When Animals Australia was supplied withhidden camera footage from an abattoir in Northern Victoria, we immediately submitted formal complaints to state authorities in relation to theillegal abuse of week-old calves. The footage sparked official investigations, and one by ABC's Lateline — exposing on national television the appalling treatment of these baby animals.

Watch the investigation video, and help save other calves from abuse by exposing animal cruelty.

Without this undercover footage, the abuse and suffering of these calves would likely have gone unnoticed. Their lives, and their deaths, would have simply slipped away out of sight. With this, the latest in a string of abattoir cruelty cases over the past 15 months, it is clear that regulations and audits are failing to protect animals from illegal cruelty. Inconceivably, the workers who hit, threw and shocked these calves with electric prods have only been 'formally warned', not prosecuted. But even when no laws are broken, the fate of hundreds of thousands of 'bobby calves' in Australia is bleak. Few dairy consumers are aware that in order to produce milk, a cow needs to be impregnated. She carries her unborn calf for nine months, only to have her baby taken away shortly after birth. Nearly all male calves and some female calves are deemed economically worthless. They are killed — some are hit on the head with a hammer on farm, but most of these tiny calves are trucked to a slaughterhouse within their first week of life. Over 700,000 week-old dairy calves are sent to slaughter every year. Inconvenient, unwanted, vulnerable, confused... this is the reality of industrialised milk production. The dairy industry knows that most Australians would find the mass slaughter of unwanted calves unethical and unacceptable, which is why this dark secret has been kept from consumers for so long. The truth behind dairy production and the fate of these unwanted calves is a story that each and every Australian needs to know... As more and more people become aware of the reality behind dairy and make kinder choices, the list of delicious, readily available dairy-free options just keeps growing. And if you're wondering where you'll get your calcium, you might be surprised to discover that the calcium myth is well and truly busted! Authorities may have failed to prosecute in this case, but it is within our power to make choices that will ensure that vulnerable animals are not put at such risk in the first place. Once again, the key to change for animals in need rests with us as individuals and as communities making compassionate and informed choices. This is a story that needs to be told. Please help us tell it by supporting our efforts to lift the veil on the plight of dairy calves everywhere. For the animals, Lyn White Campaign Director P.S. If you would like to support our vital campaign work on behalf of bobby calves, please consider giving a loving home to an adorable plush calf, through a bobby calf symbolic adoption.