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

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

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

An Independent Office of Animal Welfare - hopefully it will come sooner rather than later

From Animals Australia:

VICTORY! Labor votes animals into office

10 February 2012

For too long our Agriculture Ministers (responsible for animal welfare) have been answerable to the very perpetrators of industrialised animal cruelty. Now there's hope for an end to the conflict of interest with an Independent Office of Animal Welfare.

Australians were relentless last year in their efforts to give our abused live exported animals a voice but what many may not know is that this fierce advocacy has done more than that. It is set to deliver all Australian animals the independent representation they have so desperately needed — through their own office!

The first critical step has been taken — with the Australian Labor party acknowledging the importance of animal welfare to Australians by voting at their national conference to establish an Independent Office of Animal Welfare. This is a remarkable development which has the potential to change the animal welfare landscape in Australia.

Our current system has consistently failed animals for decades. Both at the Federal and State levels, departments and ministers charged with looking after animal welfare have as their primary stakeholders the very industries that cause animals the greatest suffering. With this clear conflict of interest — the welfare of animals has always come second to the economic interests of the rural lobby.

This is why in 2012 we still have 500 million animals confined to cruel factory farms; why we continue to subject animals to the horrors of live export; why dairy calvestrucked to slaughter can be legally denied food for 30 hours; and it is why after three years of consultation sheep and cattle are still not provided with nationally consistent legal protection.

An Independent Office of Animal Welfare would have the authority to shape policy and make decisions that first and foremost are in the interests of the animals. The IOAW received vehement support from all sides at the ALP conference, demonstrating the strength of our united voices last year and that animal welfare is finally acknowledged as an issue of political and national significance.

It's terrific that the IOAW is ALP policy, but we now need to encourage the government to implement it. If your local Federal member is in the ALP please contact them today: applaud the ALP for voting for the establishment of an Independent Office of Animal Welfare, and note that you look forward to it being established as soon as possible. You have helped us give animals a voice. Now let's get them an office.