The Scottish Government is consulting on the control of fireworks.

We would urge you to respond with your views.

Fireworks can cause severe suffering to animals, and people impacted by trauma.

This isn’t about ruining anybody’s enjoyment. When the negatives are taken into account the free availability of devices is unacceptable.

Scotland for Animals supports;

* A ban on the public sale of fireworks.

* A ban on the discharging of fireworks without a licence.

* Any devices discharged should be of reduced noise type.

* Criteria for any licence should recognise potential impact on animal welfare.

A request should be made for any necessary legislation outwith current powers to be devolved.

Information on the consultation can be found here

You can also submit your views directly to FireworksConsultation@gov.scot

State that your submission is in relation to “A consultation on fireworks in Scotland: Your experiences, your ideas, your views”.

Please ensure that you complete the respondent information questionnaire. Go here and click on “Supporting files” on left hand side of page.

If you have examples of incidents where fireworks have caused pain or distress include details of these in your submission.

Get in touch with us if you want advice or support with making your views known.

Regarding the Scottish Government’s announcement on CCTV, we want to add some perspective.

Although the administration’s climbdown is a huge step forward, Ministers’ claims that this is down to a genuine concern for animals is nonsense.

If this was the case they wouldn’t have employed every dirty trick in the book to block abattoir CCTV for years.

The same government who allegedly believe in the “highest standards of animal welfare” are right now doing everything they can to keep this going

As we said on Wednesday, please do not take your foot off the pedal.

These politicians are no friends to animals.

9/1/19

Scotland for Animals welcomes the Scottish Government announcement that it will legislate for mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses.

Ministers have stated that a law will be brought forward later this year.

Scotland for Animals’ Spokesman John Patrick;

“This announcement is good news. To have come this far would not have been possible without the people who have supported our campaign.”

“They have forced the Scottish Government to abandon it’s long and active opposition to mandatory abattoir CCTV.

“It was said that this would never happen. Together, we have shown what grassroots action can achieve.”

“As positive as this news is we call on everybody not to take their foot off the pedal. It is vital to continue applying pressure on politicians from now until legislation is enacted.”

“We must ensure that any law is workable and includes provision for independent monitoring.”

Scotland for Animals has led the campaign for mandatory, independently monitored CCTV in Scottish slaughterhouses.

SfA works towards a society where animals are free from all exploitation. Until this comes we will continue to fight for welfare improvements to reduce suffering where possible.

To everybody who takes a stand against the tyranny animals suffer every day.

Whether it’s direct action, changing what you buy or sharing a post.

Everything you do is a wee victory.

Scotland for Animals’ next volunteer meeting is last week in January. Let’s come together for a better country.

Have a good time tonight, and all the best for 2019.

118 million, 776 thousand+ animals slaughtered.

267 thousand+ cattle

1 million, 422 thousand+ sheep

987 thousand+ pigs

116 million, 100 thousand+ poultry

Does not include animals exported for killing.

93 million, 339 thousand+ animals slaughtered.

230 thousand+ cattle.

1 million, 239 thousand+ sheep.

870, 000+ pigs.

91 million+ poultry.

Does not include animals exported for killing.

Despite CCTV being mandatory in English slaughterhouses, the Food Standards Agency has confirmed that seven per cent of abattoirs still have “no CCTV system in place”.

It also added that an unconfirmed number “were in the process of complying”.

The deadline for operators to have systems up and running was November 5th.

The Food Standards Agency has stated in response;

“Perhaps they’re not fully compliant at this very minute, but [if] they’re showing a plan to install CCTV and become compliant in the future, therefore, there would be no enforcement action needed to be taken right now”.

Scotland for Animals is concerned, but not surprised, by this development.

It is further indication of a situation that we have been drawing attention to for a long time, that when it comes to enforcement the meat industry is calling the shots.

If you’re in England contact your MP and ask them to ensure that the Food Standards Agency demands immediate compliance with the law.

To support mandatory, independently monitored abattoir CCTV in Scotland visit our campaign page.

**UPDATE**

Regarding below Council has postponed killing.

They’ve stated that “this work will still have to take place, so this is a postponement to examine any realistic alternatives.”

We welcome any breathing space for the animals. This is, however, a carefully worded statement that still causes us concern.

They also go on to add that the issue “has to be addressed quickly” which means things need to be watched closely.

Should management be necessary we hope that the authority will allow consultants with experience in non-lethal solutions to construct and implement any plan of action.

URGENT*

Please contact Aberdeenshire Council and ask them to cancel their plans to slaughter rabbits next Tuesday.

The authority claims that the animals are damaging gravestones at a cemetery in Inverurie so must be exterminated.

The plan is to fill tunnels with poison gas and seal entrances/ exits leaving them trapped to die.

The substance to be used, aluminium phosphide, has been shown to cause severe pain and discomfort.

Aberdeenshire Council appear to be favouring the cheap and nasty option.

While we have every sympathy with relatives visiting the graves of loved ones we believe that non-lethal methods should be employed, if indeed removal is necessary at all.

Perhaps proper investment in maintenance at the site would be more effective.

You can make your views known by contacting the Council HERE

We know you will but please keep all contact polite and informative.

Scotland for Animals will be happy to advise the Council regarding options.

The Scottish Government has announced that it’s “keen to hear the public’s views on the impact of fireworks and action we could take to improve the situation”.

Scotland for Animals would like to see;

1) A ban on the public sale of fireworks.

4) Criteria for any licence should recognise potential impact on animal welfare.

Let them know that the situation merits urgent action; scottish.ministers@gov.scot

Lancashire County Councillors have recently voted to end the supply of unstunned meat to schools.

SfA commends those who supported this move.

We’re concerned however that the ban only applies to “non-poultry” products which means meat from chickens slaughtered while conscious will still be fed to kids.

Worth noting, as they go to great lengths to solicit the animal rights/ welfare vote, that the Green Party Councillor voted to keep unstunned meat on the menu.

The non-stun industry is playing fast and loose with the law, and the ones with the power to act are turning a blind eye.

We can’t allow hard won welfare improvements to be nullified by the back door. Visit our unstunned slaughter campaign page to take action.