Do you have compassion…
I
was sent a link this evening to a great site that I hope anyone that might read this (if there are any) has already signed up to.
The site is Compassion In World Farming at http://www.ciwf.org.uk/
The site makes for uncomfortable reading when you watch some of the videos on there. Sign up to support the cause… http://support.ciwf.org.uk/ciwf/default.asp
This is from their website:
The Problem:
Cattle
The archaic trade in live calf exports resumed last year, with its haunting images of needless suffering. Thousands of British born male dairy calves were taken from their mothers shortly after birth and later herded into huge containers in the dead of night. They were then shipped overseas to continue their journeys into the unknown. Some calves were sent all the way to Spain on journeys that took over 60 hours, causing them to suffer greatly for long periods of time in shocking conditions. Many of them endured unnecessary pain, stress, fear or illness, sometimes being shipped in severe weather causing injury or death. Once they finally reach the continent, calves are frequently kept on concrete or slatted floors without any straw or other bedding, in barren systems that are illegal in the UK.Due to the increased demands for milk, selective breeding has allowed the proliferation of high-yield dairy cows. Females face a life of repeated impregnation to provide for the human demand for milk. Male calves are frequently unwanted as they are not thought to be meaty enough to rear as beef cattle, thus are often shot at birth.
Pigs
Around 1.3 billion pigs are slaughtered annually for meat worldwide. At least half the world’s pig meat is produced from intensive or industrial systems, housing pigs in crowded indoor pens often with no straw or bedding. They are commonly subjected to painful mutilations without pain relief. High rates of growth can often cause stress on their bodies leading to problems with ulcers, heart failure and lameness. Sows kept for breeding and producing meat pigs are often caged whilst pregnant in metal-barred stalls so narrow that they can’t even turn around or exercise. This ‘sow stall’ system has been banned in the UK following our campaigns but is widespread in Europe and worldwide. Farrowing crates are still legal in the UK, with the majority of sows giving birth in these tightly confined metal crates leading to high levels of frustration and stress. Their food is restricted so much that many experience chronic hunger.
Chickens
Worldwide, around 48 billion chickens are slaughtered annually for meat. Over 70% of them are raised in industrial farming systems confining them in windowless, barren and crowded sheds of up to 16 to 20 birds per square metre. By the time they reach slaughter age at 6 weeks old they often have less space than one A4 sheet of paper per chicken. Due to excessive growth rates, many suffer from painful lameness caused by abnormal skeletal development or bone disease. Some have difficulty in walking or even standing - unable to even reach water, they can go thirsty for days.