UK death toll
March 2018
89 million, 53 thousand animals+ slaughtered
232 thousand cattle+
1 million, 149 thousand sheep+
872 thousand pigs+
86 million, 800 thousand poultry+
Category Archives: Campaigns
SNP membership back live exports ban
Scotland for Animals would like to commend SNP members for passing a motion supporting a ban on live exports at it’s National Council.
We also applaud SNP MP Tommy Sheppard for giving the motion his backing.
The SNP Scottish Government and it’s Westminster group is still supporting this loathsome trade. If you’re a constituent of Mr Sheppard please contact and thank him for standing up for animals.
Supporters have been contacting us with responses from their MPs and MSPs regarding the issue.
Some of the replies not only insult their constituents’ intelligence but lay bare these politicians’ basic lack of moral integrity.
Remember each and every name when they ask for your vote.
CCTV campaign: Get ready
After intense campaigning by Scotland for Animals, the Scottish Government is finally to consult the public on legislative proposals covering abattoir CCTV.
We expect the consultation to be live very soon.
This has taken years of hard work which would not have been possible without you.
At the start of our campaign government claimed that the introduction of mandatory CCTV was not legally possible. Together, we have pushed forward to a position where we may now see it implemented.
Scotland for Animals has met with huge resistance from both politicians and industry regarding the issue. We expect this to continue, but with you by our side we will fight to ensure that the voices of animals are heard over those of self-interest.
We will soon be providing more information on how you can exercise your right to take part in this important event.
It’s vital that you take action with us when the time comes. Below is an example, sourced via Freedom Of Information requests by Scotland for Animals, of just one of many ‘incidents’ which occurred in Scottish abattoirs last year.
“[ID Number] on 17/10/17 at approximately 07:05 AM when I was checking the stunning of bovine animals. The kill number [ID Number] was placed in the stunning box by [Name] who holds a full certificate of competence and is the animal welfare officer.
Once the animal was in the stunning box and while [Name] was closing the gate, [Name] (General Manager), who is suspended from his Coc, operated the head restraint. At that moment the slaughterman was not ready to stun the animal due to he was closing the gate.
After the first shot, the animal showed clear signs of consciousness (rhythmical breading, corneal reflects, eye movements and muscle tone) so [Name] tried to apply a second shot but the animal was lying down in the stunning box and he could not reach it so he proceeded to open the stunning box to access the animal through the dry landing area and apply the second shot.
After this, the animal did not show any signs of recovery so he proceeded to hoist it. Once it was at the bleeding point, the animal started to show muscle tone so [Name] called [Name] who applied the third shot”
This is reality for animals.
For every one of them suffering in every slaughterhouse in Scotland, let’s ensure that their time has come.
UK death toll, January 2018
UK death toll
January 2018
109 million, 310 thousand+ animals
Cattle: 241 thousand+
Sheep: 1 million, 221 thousand+
Pigs: 948 thousand+
Poultry: 106 million, 900 thousand+
Action needed on live exports
As the Scottish Government announces that they will oppose a ban on live exports we can reveal that thousands of ‘livestock’ animals are transported from Scotland to the rest of the EU per year.
Via Freedom of Information requests Scotland for Animals has discovered that from 2016 to early February 2018 nearly twenty two and a half thousand animals were sent to countries outwith Great Britain for breeding, production/ fattening and slaughter.
The countries where these animals ended up are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Arab Emirates.
In addition nearly fifty three thousand were transported to Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
We are in touch with our friends at Kent Action Against Live Exports who campaign to end this trade and document the misery which it creates.
If you have not already done so please contact First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and demand that government drop their support of live exports.
Feel free to base your personalised message on the following:
FAO First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Dear Ms Sturgeon,
I am writing regarding your administration’s opposition to a ban on the live export of animals.
I am aware that Ministers have been provided with information and evidence highlighting major welfare concerns within the industry. I am therefore deeply disappointed that the Scottish Government has chosen to support this trade.
Please be aware that this decision will reflect badly on the Scottish Government. I am sure that this will also further highlight it’s apparent disinterest in welfare improvements for animals reared for production and slaughter.
I would advise you to reconsider the situation and support a ban on live exports before any further damage is inflicted on your reputation.
Yours sincerely,
Send to firstminister@gov.scot
You can also send by post to:
The First Minister
The Scottish Government
St Andrew’s House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
Please also visit the Kent Action Against Live Exports site, kaale.org.uk, and give them your support.
Media covers meat from unstunned animals in food chain
Media running articles today about meat from unstunned slaughter entering the food chain.
Scotland for Animals exposed this issue in 2013.
Please make no mistake, the steady worsening of this situation isn’t just down to self-serving politicians. Blame also lies with animal welfare groups.
Some have not just turned a blind eye but, to their shame, enabled the non-stun industry by trying to silence critics of this method of slaughter implying that they’re motivated by racism.
See one of today’s articles here.
Scottish government announces it will oppose a ban on live exports
The Scottish government has announced that it will oppose a ban on the live export of animals.
Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing has stated that Scotland will neither support, nor participate in, moves to end the practice.
The current administration have been on a charm offensive trying to con all of us into believing that they’re ‘leading the way’ on animal welfare. These chancers could not care less.
Scotland for Animals cautioned that the new found conscience at St. Andrews House was smoke and mirrors. They couldn’t keep the mask on for long.
live export of animals causes suffering and misery. The Scottish government might support this but the Scottish people won’t.
let them know that they do not speak for us on this issue and that they must support a ban.
Contact Nicola Sturgeon:
scottish.ministers@gov.scot
St. Andrew’s House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
Ask the Scottish government to take the lead on animal sentience
The UK government yesterday announced plans to legislate for the explicit recognition of animal sentience.
The Bill, if enacted, would require that “regard” be taken to the welfare implications of this sentience when formulating and implementing government policy.
As this proposed duty would apply to Ministers of the Crown devolved decisions would not be covered.
Scotland for Animals welcomes the proposed recognition. We would however like to see the Scottish government go further.
There has been a substantial amount of comment from many Holyrood politicians with regards to this issue. Here’s their chance to now turn words into action.
Scotland for Animals calls on Ministers to commit to bringing forward a Bill to legislate, if animal sentience is recognised in UK law, for their welfare needs as sentient beings to be given not only regard but priority in any relevant policy or legislative decisions.
We need you to ask First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to commit to Scotland leading the way.
Please feel free to personalise this suggested message:
Dear Ms Sturgeon,
I am writing regarding the publishing of a Draft Bill by the UK government proposing to recognise animal sentience.
The Bill further proposes that this be given regard by Ministers of the Crown when formulating and implementing policy.
I would be grateful if you could please confirm whether, should the Draft Bill be enacted, your administration will commit to bringing forward a Bill to legislate for the welfare needs of animals, as sentient beings, to be given not only regard but priority in any relevant policy or legislative decisions by Scottish Ministers.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon can be contacted at scottish.ministers@gov.scot
Or by post:
The Scottish Government
St. Andrew’s House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
Thank you.
CCTV campaign
CCTV campaign stall in Glasgow again today.
Spoke to some great people, thanks to everybody for support.
We’ll be coming to a place near you shortly. Get in touch if you want to join in and visit our CCTV campaign page for more.
Great support for our slaughterhouse CCTV campaign in Glasgow
Tremendous support for our slaughterhouse CCTV campaign in Glasgow today. Thanks to everybody who passed on their messages demanding that the Scottish Government bring about legislation.
In typical fashion Layla insisted in putting her 10 bob’s worth in too.
Visit our CCTV page for more.