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.

​

​

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

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  »

Animal Activists Alert for Melbourne, 19 and 20 October 2013

2013 Animal Activists Forum 19 and 20 October Melbourne We are very excited about this year's event With less than two months to go, we are very excited about this year's event. We have over 40 workshops planned, with some great international speakers, and more are yet to be confirmed. Program We still have a couple of slots in the program, drop us a line if you would like to present. For a complete list of confirmed speakers visit here. Day of Activism On Friday 18 October, we have a day of activism that has been arranged by independent groups and activists. This is entirely optional, and not part of the formal activists forum. The day of activism agenda is here. The day includes vegan leafleting by Vegan 101, a PETA demonstration, a rally by Melbourne Pigs Save, and a Skype workshop on long term vegan activism by one of the UK's most respected animal advocates. Der Prozess (The Trial) The day of activism will begin with a screening of the film Der Prozess (The Trial) which documents the political repression of animal advocates in Austria. Later in the day, one of the trial defendants,  Martin Balluch, will be joining us via Skype to talk about his experiences. Social Dinner Our formal forum social dinner, held in conjunction with 'Keep Talking' will be held on Saturday 19 October, from 6:30pm. This time we will not just feed you, we hope to entertain you as well! For details, see here. Buy tickets now! Ticket numbers are limited, and ticket sales will close at midnight on Saturday 12 October. We would be sad if you missed out. Book Tickets Here. Help to get the word out We believe that this will be the Animal Activist event of 2013. Please help to make the event a success by getting the word out to all your contacts.  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

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

Latest news from Ethical - with top story the battle against McDonalds at Tecoma

Update. July 2013 No to McDonalds! Palm oil slavery Animal testing Tax Havens Quick bites

Say No to McDonalds! Fast Food giant McDonalds has taken their move to build a store in the leafy Dandenong Ranges township of Tecoma in Melbourne's east to a new level. They are now suing 8 local residents. See the Age article McDonald's uses fear tactic, say Tecoma eight. Despite the community clearly not wanting the development, the CEO of McDonalds in Australia says "we can't see what the problem is". > Listen to mp3. This is corporate bullying of ordinary citizens. It's time to say enough. > Join the 'Burger Off!'community campaign. Sign these petitions (1) (2), join the Facebook campaign. Come to thepublic rally on Sunday 28th. Be inspired by people power with the 'Resitance is fertile' CD. Globally, the McCount is presently an enormous 34,392restaurants in 116 countries - 896 in Australia. Criticisms of McDonalds include: cruelty to animals, selling unhealthy food, targeting children in ads, exploiting workers and contributing to the destruction of rainforests. See more at  11 Things McDonald's Wishes You Never Knew About .   Slave labor linked to palm oil Businessweek has released a groundbreaking article connecting Indonesia's palm oil industry to widespread cases of forced and child labor (18/7/13). The stories include workers, many of whom are children, being defrauded, abused, and held captive on palm plantations. The investigation focused on Kuala Lumpur Kepong, one of the world’s most significant palm oil suppliers, a major supplier to agribusiness giant Cargill. > See full story >Take action at the RAN Campaign > More on Palm Oil > More on Agribusiness in Australia. Animal testing for cosmetics in China A Choice investigation has found that major cosmetic brands are failing to inform customers that their beauty products are tested on animals in China. Skin and eye irritation tests must be conducted on animals in order for cosmetic products to be sold in China, which are paid for by manufacturers. > ABC News (vid, 6/5/13). > Seecompanies list compiled by Choice. Also, in related news, India has announced that it will implement a ban on animal testing for cosmetics (1/7/13). See more on animal testing. Tax Havens for Australian companies exposed A Uniting Church report, 'Secrecy Jurisdictions', reveals 61 of the top 100 companies hold subsidiaries in 'Tax Havens' - countries that offer low levels of tax and regulation, and thick layers of secrecy. News Corporation, Westfield and the Goodman Group were among those holding more than 50 entities in low-tax jurisdictions each (25/5/13). > more > See this infographic on how Associated British Foods group (the brand owners of Tip Top bread and Don smallgoods) dodge their tax in Zambia - depriving the country of $27 million in lost revenue since 2007. Money that could be spent to help free people from hunger. > Find out more and take action at EndTaxHavenSecrecy.org Quick bites ... Excellent new ASIC report 'Labour and Human Rights Risks in Supply-Chain Sourcing' - looks at policies and disclosure of top companies in Australia (24/6/13). The Australian Federal Court has found Steggles engaged in false advertising that claimed its meat chickens were free to roam in large barns. (10/7/13)AusFoodNews International consumer products group PZ Cussons has acquired Australian premium baby food brand Rafferty’s Garden for AU $70 million. (10/7/13) AusFoodNews

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.