British Veterinary Association launches petition to end non-stun slaughter

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has launched an e-petition to end non-stun slaughter.
European and U.K. legislation require all animals to be stunned before slaughter to render them insensible to pain. However, a derogation in the legislation allows animals to be slaughtered without stunning for certain religious communities – Dhabihah slaughter for Halal food and Shechita slaughter for Kosher food. It is important to note that more than 80 percent of Halal in the U.K. is pre-stunned, the British Veterinary Association notes.
The BVA says that scientific evidence shows that slaughter without pre-stunning compromises animal welfare. This is a position supported by the Humane Slaughter Association, the Farm Animal Welfare Council, and the Federation of Veterinarians in Europe.
The association is further concerned that meat from non-stun slaughter is entering the market unlabeled because there is no requirement to label meat and meat products with the method of slaughter.
It hopes to achieve 100,000 signatures for the e-petition so that consideration will be given to a debate in the U.K.’s lower chamber.
Launching the e-petition, BVA president and veterinary surgeon Robin Hargreaves said: “BVA has long believed that slaughter without pre-stunning unnecessarily compromises animal welfare at the time of death. It affects millions of animals every year, and action is long overdue.
“When the issue hit the headlines recently we were overwhelmed by the letters of support from members of the public as well as from our own members, so we hope to get a lot of support for our campaign.”

UK slaughter figures add fuel to poultry, livestock stunning debate

Animals in British slaughterhouses are correctly stunned before slaughter in more than 99 percent of cases, new figures from the U.K. government reveal.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) says the figures "expose the myth that animals are suffering welfare compromises in larger numbers - a statement used by those who support the practice of slaughter without pre-stunning."
The figures reveal that, in 2013, there were only nine reports of mis-stunning incidents in cattle and three reports in sheep. These reports were made by official veterinarians working in abattoirs and collated by the Food Standards Agency and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Reported incidents of mis-stunning in poultry totaled 13.
Commenting on the figures, Robin Hargreaves, BVA president said: "These new official figures reveal that mis-stunning is extremely rare in British abattoirs and expose the myth that mis-stunning is a greater animal welfare problem than non-stun slaughter.
"As veterinary surgeons, our No. 1 priority is animal welfare and that is why we continue to call for an end to non-stun slaughter which unnecessarily compromises welfare at the time of slaughter. We are pleased that the new figures will help to ensure the debate takes place with all of the facts."
Some European countries have completely outlawed halal and kosher slaughter without stunning, however the U.K. Prime Minister has vowed never to ban the religious slaughter of animals. Some 600,000 animals are thought to be slaughtered without stunning in the U.K. each year.

Poultry, pig producers must educate consumers on food production and welfare

Consumer perception is everything and expecting them to have a detailed understanding of animal welfare or expecting them to pay a premium for it when they don't really know where food comes from is too much. This was the message given to pig and poultry producers by supermarket chain Morrisons' head of agriculture David Evans at conference held in the UK recently.
"Changing consumer attitudes is challenging, and if you want to get them to understand, it can only be done with a simple message," he continued.
Attendees at the Pig and Poultry Fair, held in Warwickshire, UK, were further told that pig and poultry producers need to be braver in talking about what happens on their farms if consumers are to be driven to more high-welfare, home-grown food.
National Farmers Union president, Peter Kendall, added: "Animal welfare is all about perception and that's why we need to engage with our customers. Without that discussion, the danger is that UK producers are forced to have higher standards through regulation, but retailers import cheaper foods from elsewhere.
"Animal welfare is a difficult, emotive debate and we need to have an honest discussion if we are going to give consumers a reason to pick British food," he said.

British pig association will randomly test suppliers

The British pig industry will start checking that pork from illegal European Union farms is not entering the British food chain.
The UK-based National Pig Association's "Exercise Compliance" follows the success of its website Wall of Fame, where the nation's top retailers and brands have pledged not to sell pork or pork products from continental farms that break the European sow stalls ban.
Though given 10 years notice, over 60 percent of EU countries have failed to comply with Europe's sow stalls ban, which was introduced at the beginning of this year. The National Pig Association working with the UK government, is determined to stop pork from these lower-welfare farms being sold to unsuspecting British consumers.
Exercise Compliance will involve selecting imported pork products at random and asking the British companies that sell them to trace them back to their farms of origin — to prove the farms in question really have implemented the stalls ban.
"We believe the British food companies that have made the pledge on our Wall of Fame have conscientiously done what we asked of them: by gaining commitments from their suppliers that only pork from legal farms has been used," said association regions manager Lizzie Press. "But now we want to test those statements by tracing randomly selected packs back to their farms of origin."
The association has already visited the Netherlands with retailer Asda to visit two farms that produce pork for the Asda supply chain. Press added, "Although we visited only a representative sample, it was clear both farms were fully compliant with the sow stalls ban and we were satisfied with the farm standards we observed."
The UK unilaterally banned sow stalls 14 years ago, but the EU did not introduce the ban for all EU farms until January this year — although continental farmers were warned in 2003 of the January 2013 implementation date.
However, the ban is only partial. Although sows can no longer be confined in stalls for most of their productive lives they can still be legally kept in stalls for about 20 percent of the time.
The National Pig Association agrees with Environment Secretary of State Owen Paterson that it is unacceptable that nine member countries have still not fully complied with the European stalls ban. Paterson has praised the association's Wall of Fame campaign, and has promised to continue to press the European Commission for action on law-breakers at every opportunity.
The European Commission has started infraction proceedings against nine countries — Denmark, Poland, Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Germany, France Cyprus and Portugal — but it is a long process which can take over a year. "So it remains essential that sourcing continues to be robust and monitored," says the National Pig Association.
The group has already made its random selection of imported products sold by companies that have signed the Wall of Fame pledge and will be sending out letters this week, asking them to carry out a full traceability exercise to confirm the products in question contain only legally produced pork.
"I am sure that the companies that have signed our Wall of Fame are as keen as we are to assure their customers of the traceability of the pork and pork products they import, particularly following the recent horsemeat scandal which has shaken consumer's faith in the food chain," said Lizzie Press.

Profitability, welfare essential for pig and poultry sectors

The UK pig and poultry sectors have invested millions of pounds into new higher animal welfare systems but it is essential that these farmers can run their businesses at a profit, according to Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers Union.
a number of challenges for the two sectors, including a need for science-based animal welfare standards, on top of falling profit margins; a requirement for welfare organizations to recognize the large strides farmers have made; and the need to produce pig, poultry meat and eggs, to meet a range of consumer demands.
“Both the pig and poultry sectors have invested heavily in meeting new European welfare standards but the challenges do not end there,” says Kendall. “It is vital that the industry can meet productivity demands – our ambition is to put more British products on British dinner plates - while meeting strict standards for animal welfare. Pig and poultry farmers care for their livestock and their health and welfare has a direct effect on farm profitability. There is no room for poor results as margins are small.
“At the same time, the industry and the food supply chain need to educate consumers on the welfare standards already in place. Farmers can, and do, produce food to suit a number of purse-strings and, in all cases, welfare is a key priority.
“But there are a number of other challenges as well, not to mention climate change, food consumption changes and the need to improve on-farm incomes and encourage investment. The bottom line is that we need to ensure that we have profitable and long-term futures for both the pig and poultry industries in this country which can meet the increasing demand for British products.”

Alternatives to pig castration survey launched by European Commission

The European Commission is surveying pig producers to find out the costs and benefits of implementing alternatives to surgical castration of male pigs. The pig study, which is being administered by the Food Chain Evaluation Consortium, is aimed at providing EU policymakers with an improved understanding of which of the options – surgical castration or its main two alternatives, raising entire male pigs or vaccinating them against boar taint – is most adequate for pig meat production when weighing the costs against the benefits.
This study will analyze the costs and benefits through the whole pig meat chain in the EU, from breeding and raising pigs to the consumption of pig meat. It will also provide an estimation of the costs and benefits of ending surgical castration on different percentages of EU male pigs' population by January 1, 2018.
The information and assessments from the questionnaire will be crucial in analyzing the costs and benefits of ending surgical castration of pigs and will inform the further EU policy process. This questionnaire is targeted at key stakeholders, including national associations of pig breeders, pig producers, slaughterhouses, pig meat processors, retailers, animal welfare associations, and competent authorities.
For more information on the survey, contact Rémi Béteille, pigcastration@civic-consulting.de.

Kelly Turkeys honored at Pig & Poultry Marketing Awards ceremony

Kelly Turkeys' KellyBronze turkey product received the Taste of Excellence Award at the Pig & Poultry Marketing Awards at the London Marriott County Hall by the River Thames.
Commenting on the second successful event for Kelly Turkeys at the awards, the judges stated: "This year Kelly Turkeys surpassed itself with another succulent bird - we were impressed by how well it cooked, the tenderness of the meat, and the overall texture and taste. Again the provenance of the KellyBronze turkeys must not go overlooked, and only adds to the flavor of this product."
The presentation was made to Kelly Turkeys managing director, Paul Kelly, and sales and marketing manager, Philip Regan, by Andrew Loftus, agriculture manager of Morrison's Supermarkets, which sponsored the award.
In 2012, Kelly Turkeys was runner-up for the award for health and welfare standards.
Paul Kelly recently spoke about the importance of taste in their breeding program when 150 poult customers visited their headquarters at Danbury, Essex. He stated: "Taste is where we see the traditional Christmas market going, with consumers able to differentiate between products in terms of flavor and eating quality as well as the lifestyle of the birds." 

Welfare debated at pig and poultry conference

Pig producers and the wider supply chain are being urged to join the welfare debate after it was identified as the top issue affecting the United Kingdom pig industry in a survey of visitors to previous Pig and Poultry Fair and Pig and Poultry LIVE events.
Developing this opportunity and focusing on the direction that welfare should take in the United Kingdom will be one of the key discussions at this year's Pig and Poultry LIVE at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, England, May 15, 2013.
The one-day business event is organized by the Royal Agricultural Society of England in partnership with ABN, a British feed manufacture. The event will bring together leading figures in agriculture, retail and animal health and welfare in a challenging debate: "Welfare; Science or Perception, What's our Future?" chaired by Martin Redfearn, Head of Barclays Agriculture.
In an opening address, Ed Garner, Kantar Worldpanel communications director, will present a unique insight into shopper's behavior when it comes to purchasing food products from the pig and poultry sectors. A distinguished panel will then set out their own view of the welfare agenda and debate with delegates how it should shape the future of United Kingdom production.
Speakers Andrea Gavinelli, head of animal welfare at the European Commission and the Royal Agriculture Society head of farm animals, Julia Wrathall will enable producers to engage directly with policy makers, and the scheme that covers 17.8 million layers, 40 million broilers and 2.7million pigs in the United Kingdom. 
Morrison's head of agriculture David Evans will explain its own stance on welfare and how it plans to addresses the issue in the future and National Farmer's Union president Peter Kendall will give his views on and what the next steps for the sectors should be.
Scientific expertise from Sandra Edwards, professor of agriculture at Newcastle University and leading poultry veterinarian Stephen Lister, Crowshall Veterinary Services completes the speaker line up.
"Welfare is on the agenda for the farmer, the consumer and the politician," said Angela Booth, ABN technical development and assurance director.
"Often there is tension between what consumers say they want and what producers think will actually benefit their livestock's welfare. Finding the correct balance in this debate with so many dimensions and perspectives is crucial for our industry."
David Gardner, Royal Agriculture Society chief executive, said pig and poultry producers needed to supply consumers with safe, tasty, affordable food; and collectively the industry must find ways to tackle the related issues.
"We want British producers to succeed in the long term, so finding answers to questions of future policy, competition and costs, and communication with consumers is vital.
"This discussion will help focus the industry's minds on what direction welfare should take in the UK and how it can help deliver on it," he added.
To book your place at this year Pig & Poultry LIVE visit www.pigandpoultry.org.uk.

EU pig production may drop after 2013 sow stall ban

Pig production in the EU could fall by between 5 percent and 10 percent after the sow stall ban goes into effect on January 1, 2013, according to a report released by the British Pig Exchange.
Fewer than half of EU member states are expected to be fully compliant with the directive, and there are reports of "significant numbers" of producers set to quit the industry because they will be unable or unwilling to comply with the new ban. As a result, said the report, processors and retailers may face substantial price increases. “The latest information confirms that there are many producers who still won’t have complied with the rules by the end of the year, while others will have stopped breeding altogether," said Stephen Howarth, senior analyst for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. “Historically, even small changes in pig production have led to significant shifts in price. With production likely to fall by 5 percent or more, prices could be at least 10 percent higher, possibly more.”
The British Pig Exchange said it's imperative for retailers and processors to ensure contract arrangements that guarantee the supply of pig meat under terms that allow sensible business decisions to be made and for everyone in the supply chain to work towards a sustainable, profitable sector. “Getting this right will demonstrate the integrity of the EU Commission and member states in enforcing legislation that they have agreed, it will demonstrate the integrity of the whole supply chain that it will protect pig welfare and above all it will benefit consumers through the continued supply of high welfare, high quality pork and pork products," said British Pig Exchange Chairman Stewart Houston.

UK pig association accuses welfare organizations of harming industry

The UK’s National Pig Association has accused two of the country’s leading animal welfare bodies of threatening the welfare of pigs on British farms. According to the association, Compassion in World Farming and the Soil Association have launched new campaigns to prevent pig producers from replacing worn-out housing, even though modern pig housing is more welfare- and environment-friendly, as well as being more efficient. “If these two organizations are successful in their aims, the British pig herd will shrink as older housing becomes uneconomic, and the growing gap in production will be taken up by lower-welfare imports,” said the association. In particular, the National Pig Association has condemned Compassion in World Farming for sending quasi-official letters to pig farmers in which it threatens to oppose planning applications unless the applicants disclose confidential management information to Compassion in World Farming. In addition, the National Pig Association calls out the Soil Association for supplying planners with what they say is misinformation intended to give the impression that British pigs are produced in the same way as intensive pig production in other countries. “The peasant farming idyll promoted by these two organizations has little relevance in a world with a fast-growing population that needs affordable food,” said National Pig Association Chairman Stewart Houston. “If their continued attacks on our higher-welfare British pig industry are successful, they will succeed in shutting down pig production in Britain and supermarkets will import more lower-welfare pork from elsewhere in the world.” Most of the objections raised by Compassion in World Farming and the Soil Association were not related to planning matters and should be ignored by planners, said Houston. For instance, Compassion in World Farming had written to applicants demanding to know the precise nature of the enrichment materials to be used in proposed new housing. Houston said the National Pig Association was particularly concerned that the constant attacks on British pig production would soon reach a point where most pig producers were dissuaded from putting up new housing, because of the planning difficulties involved. “If their intention is to drive economic pig production out of Britain, then there is a real danger they will succeed, but I fail to see who will benefit,” said Houston. “Consumers won’t, producers won’t and the pigs left in old, inefficient buildings won’t, either.”

UK vets welcome EU welfare initiative, but emphasize implementation

The British Veterinary Association has broadly welcomed the European Commission’s new animal welfare strategy but is urging the European Commission to ensure robust implementation and enforcement of existing and proposed measures to improve animal welfare in the European Union.
Lack of enforcement of EU legislation by Member States is seen as a major compliance issue, adversely affecting animal welfare in the EU, as is the lack of sufficient economic incentives for compliance, said the association. Another gap is the lack of sufficient knowledge about welfare amongst many of those who handle animals. The new four-year strategy adopted by the Commission aims to address these issues by setting up a comprehensive animal welfare legislative framework focusing on welfare outcomes and on the education of all concerned parties, as well as the reinforcement of current Commission actions. “We must continue to strive for the highest possible standards of welfare for the animals we keep and this latest move by the Commission is to be welcomed," said Carl Padgett, British Veterinary Association president. "Effective implementation and enforcement of legislation throughout the EU is essential if we are to make a significant difference to the welfare of animals."

Supporters of higher welfare eggs named online in UK

From the UK’s big four supermarkets to high street food chains and leading food manufacturers, the country’s National Farmers Union is shining a light on those companies that have pledged to buy higher welfare eggs.
The NFU and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have been contacting leading food companies and retailers to find out exactly which are standing by British eggs. “This list certainly makes for interesting reading and shows how many companies are backing British egg producers and higher welfare standards," said Charles Bourns, NFU poultry board chairman. A secondary list includes companies the two organizations have yet to hear from regarding their stance.
The full list in available on the NFU website.

Freedom Food launches online push for layer, broiler welfare

Freedom Food, the UK’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ farm assurance and food labeling scheme, has launched an online animation called Hettie the Hen.
The cartoon, which can be viewed on the Freedom Food website, is designed to persuade consumers to select eggs from hens that have not been reared in cages. The RSPCA says that the number of consumers in the UK claiming to have bought a higher welfare product over the last four years has doubled. Almost half have said that animal welfare is very important to them when choosing what food to buy. 
Freedom Food has also launched a new online advertising campaign to clarify what its label means and tackle consumer concerns about the way that animals are farmed. The advertisement focuses on chicken and is running across news, lifestyle, food and women's websites.

World Pork Conference discusses 2013 loose sow housing transition

Speaking at the World Pork Conference in Bonn, Dr. Andrea Gavinelli, the head of the Unit of Animal Welfare at the directorate General for Health and Consumers at the European Commission, said that data is being collected to ensure the smoothest possible transition across the EU to sow loose housing in 2013.
"We are not going to wait until December 31 next year," said Gavinelli. "We are looking at the data for each member state and we will have the statistics next year and we should then be able to see the appropriate action to take."
Gavinelli said that the situation is different in different member states and, where some will achieve the standards and others not, there could be tension. He said that the situation will be similar to the one at present for eggs and this will be a testing ground to see how to approach the problem. Once the data has been collected, the commission will have a better picture and will then decide how to proceed.
Gavinelli also told the conference that the European Commission is working towards an agreement for a voluntary end to surgical castration of piglets by 2018.

UK supermarket chain to source more poultry, eggs locally

UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has committed to doubling its sourcing of British food. Launched as part of the retailer’s new Sustainability Plan, the targets set also include a commitment to ensuring all meat, poultry, eggs, game and dairy produce will be sourced from suppliers who adhere to independent higher welfare standards.
“The commitment from Sainsbury’s to double its sourcing of British food should be commended; it is a bold and positive step for food and farming," said Tom Hind, director of corporate affairs with the farming industry body NFU. "It recognizes the high quality and standards of production and environmental protection that British farmers meet every day, those same standards that consumers increasingly expect in the food they buy.”
Hind also said it is important that the NFU scrutinizes the detail of the plan to ensure that the commitments have integrity and deliver sustainability for UK agriculture. "We want to ensure that commitments to driving efficiency, for example, work with farmers to offer longer-term relationships with stable and profitable prices,” said Hind. 

UK government department favors ban on non-welfare compliant eggs

The UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has recommended a clampdown on illegal eggs and egg products before 2012.
The select committee has published recommendations following its enquiry on the implications of the Welfare of Laying Hens Directive for the egg industry.
It found that the UK egg industry will be at a competitive disadvantage if non-compliant conventional cage producers in other EU member states are able to export shell eggs and egg products after January 1, 2012, when enriched colony cages will be a statutory minimum across Europe.
The UK’s National Farmers' Union has continually raised concerns that farmers in several member states will have failed to upgrade their cages in time, and has lobbied for an intra-community trade ban. The DEFRA committee has criticized the European Commission’s complacency over the level of compliance with the directive and has supported calls for an intra-community trade ban on the export of shell eggs and egg products from non-compliant producers.
NFU board chairman Charles Bourns said: “British egg farmers have spent around GBP400 million (US$648 million) on upgrading their farms to meet these new standards and there is a real threat that all this effort could be for nothing if they run the risk of being undercut by cheap imports from countries which are still producing eggs in lower welfare systems. We will continue to work with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and to lobby the Commission to ensure this does not happen.”

European organic rule changes worry UK poultry producers

A proposed change to European Union organic feed regulations that would require poultry to be fed a 100% organic diet has the UK’s National Farmers Union expressing its concern.
The move to 100% organic diets for poultry may result in nutritionally unbalanced rations and has the potential to adversely affect bird welfare and performance, said the NFU. A second EU Commission-proposed amendment would require that 50% of feed for monogastrics, like poultry, and 80% of ruminant feed be from own holding or region, in line with the wording of Article 14 (d) (i) of Council Regulation 834/2007. The NFU said it has concerns that this will impose considerable strain on the organic poultry, dairy and livestock industries.
The organic feed regulations are scheduled to go into effect in January 2012.

Animal Welfare Approved takes part in UK 'AssureWel' project

Animal Welfare Approved is partnering on a new project with Bristol University Veterinary School, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Soil Association to improve how animal welfare is assessed.
The "AssureWel" project will assess the outcome of standards, rather than just judging how well a farm complies with those standards. When judging compliance of animal welfare standards, an auditor will look at things like how much space an animal has and what kind of food they are getting. Outcome measurements look at things like animal behavior and health, as well as farm records on lameness incidence and mortality. By combining both the outcome of standards and a farm's compliance with standards, auditors will get the best picture possible of animal welfare.
"AssureWel" takes standards auditing to a new level of transparency and fact-based research according to AWA. Greater use of outcome measurements in welfare programs ensure that scientifically sound judgments can be made to confirm that the animals in the programs attain real welfare benefits. "We have always objected to outcome measures alone," said AWA program director Andrew Gunther. "They have the potential to hide negative systems. But this training allows us to use the best of both systems. It will ensure AWA stays at the forefront of farm animal welfare auditing."

British free range geese logo supports producers standards

A new logo for the British free range goose has been created by the British Goose Producers to highlight producers' methods and strengthen the bird's brand image.
Geese are reared today using the same methods as centuries ago, said Eddie Hegarty, chairman of the British Goose Producers. “Nowadays they are typically reared through the autumn on grass rather than on corn stubble behind the harvest, but they do enjoy a very similar, natural lifestyle," said Hegarty. The new logo will be used on promotional material used by BGP members, including product literature and websites.

UK downgrades animal welfare agency

A re-organization of public agencies advising the British government on farm animal welfare has been announced in the UK as part of the administration’s round of spending cuts to reduce the national debt burden. A decision had already been reached to abolish one panel that has been advising government ministers on matters of animal welfare, but the new announcement says that the separate independent advisory body known as the Farm Animal Welfare Council will be reconstituted in the lesser form of an expert committee.
In existence since 1979, the Farm Animal Welfare Council’s tasks have been to monitor the welfare of animals in the farm-to-food chain and to advise the government of any legislative or other changes that may be necessary.
Harvey Locke, president of the British Veterinary Association, expressed relief that the welfare council  would not be abolished entirely, but warned that its new committee format must maintain its independence and expertise. “We would be very concerned if this move indicated a downgrading of the importance of farm animal welfare, especially in the current economic climate, which will be pushing farmers to drive down costs on farm,” he added. “FAWC has played an essential role in the way the government thinks about farm animal welfare and has succeeded in challenging both the government and the farming industry on matters of huge importance.”