compete and are thrown out of business and off the land. The displaced farmers often end up in the slums around the major cities.
3. The long journeys to slaughter must be ended
Over 2 million cattle, pigs, sheep and horses a year are transported across Europe on huge journeys – often over 40 or 50 hours or more – for slaughter or, in some cases, further fattening.
Packed into overcrowded trucks, often without water or proper ventilation, the animals suffer terribly during these long journeys. They become increasingly exhausted, dehydrated and stressed. Some get injured, while others collapse on to the floor of the truck. In the worst cases, many die.
3. The long journeys to slaughter must be ended
Over 2 million cattle, pigs, sheep and horses a year are transported across Europe on huge journeys – often over 40 or 50 hours or more – for slaughter or, in some cases, further fattening.
Packed into overcrowded trucks, often without water or proper ventilation, the animals suffer terribly during these long journeys. They become increasingly exhausted, dehydrated and stressed. Some get injured, while others collapse on to the floor of the truck. In the worst cases, many die.
This trade is not just cruel, but also risks spreading disease. It is these long journeys which took foot-and-mouth from the UK to France, the Netherlands and Ireland.
Nor are these problems confined to Europe. Over 5 million sheep a year are exported from Australia and New Zealand to the Middle East on sea journeys of around 3 weeks. Around 100,000 sheep a year die during these nightmare journeys.
Similarly, approximately one million cattle a year are shipped from Australia to South-East Asia and the Middle East.
All these journeys inflict unimaginable suffering on the animals. Yet this could easily be avoided if animals were slaughtered near the farm of rearing, with the meat being transported to wherever it is wanted.
Nor are these problems confined to Europe. Over 5 million sheep a year are exported from Australia and New Zealand to the Middle East on sea journeys of around 3 weeks. Around 100,000 sheep a year die during these nightmare journeys.
Similarly, approximately one million cattle a year are shipped from Australia to South-East Asia and the Middle East.
All these journeys inflict unimaginable suffering on the animals. Yet this could easily be avoided if animals were slaughtered near the farm of rearing, with the meat being transported to wherever it is wanted.
4. The need to question our cheap food policy
If we want changes, we have to let go of the cheap food policy, which is what has fuelled industrial agriculture in the US and EU. The cost of changing to better systems is often exaggerated. That said, humane food does cost a little more to produce.
CIWF believes that as responsible consumers we should be willing to pay the little bit extra needed so that animals can be kept in kinder and healthier systems.
In the EU and the US, we are, in general, reasonably wealthy societies. We can afford the lottery, holidays abroad, a range of luxuries. Are we really saying that we cannot afford decent standards of farm animal welfare?
If we want changes, we have to let go of the cheap food policy, which is what has fuelled industrial agriculture in the US and EU. The cost of changing to better systems is often exaggerated. That said, humane food does cost a little more to produce.
CIWF believes that as responsible consumers we should be willing to pay the little bit extra needed so that animals can be kept in kinder and healthier systems.
In the EU and the US, we are, in general, reasonably wealthy societies. We can afford the lottery, holidays abroad, a range of luxuries. Are we really saying that we cannot afford decent standards of farm animal welfare?