Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott looks likely to be appointed head of UK Govt. Board of Trade.

When Abbott was in office, he visited Indonesia in person to issue a grovelling apology for the previous administration suspending cattle exports after footage emerged of brutal cruelty to animals shipped to the country.

Instead of being horrified by the suffering, Abbott announced that he was horrified by action taken to end it.

86 million, 525 thousand+ animals slaughtered.

 

240 thousand+ cattle

1 million, 98 thousand+ sheep

987 thousand+ pigs

84 million, 200 thousand+ “poultry” birds

 

Does not include other species such as deer, goats, horses, “game birds”, aquatic animals or animals exported for killing.

 

*Source; UK Government

 

 

 

 

 

The Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee met on May 26th to agree amendments to Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill.

 

Apart from some admirable proposals, such as extending protections to animals such as octopodes, crabs and lobsters (Colin Smyth), lawmakers are missing the point completely.

 

The flaw running through the whole structure is welfare legislation is often not enforced in the first place.

 

It can be extremely difficult to get Police Scotland to accept the reporting of an offence, and if they do, often no action is taken.

 

If action is taken there’s no assurance that Procurators Fiscal will pursue a prosecution. If they do, most offenders walk from court either simply admonished, or with a limited “ban” which almost certainly will not be monitored.

 

This is the fundamental issue. If law isn’t even enforced, the legislation’s effectively useless.

 

What our politicians plans amount to is the suggestion that if you fit a brand new exhaust to a car with no engine, it’ll make it go faster.

 

Stage 3 is next, and this is the last chance we’ll have to actually make effective change to the Bill.

 

Please take a couple of minutes to contact your MSPs and ask that they commit to supporting Scotland for Animals five points for change;

 

• All animals, including invertebrates, to be protected by law
• A maximum life sentence/ unlimited fine for animal cruelty
• The creation of a dedicated Police Scotland unit to investigate animal cruelty and enforce legislation
• The creation of a register for those convicted of cruelty
• Statutory requirement for a multi-agency approach for reporting, investigation and intervention

 

Your voice can make the difference.

 

Since Coronavirus outbreak was deemed a national emergency, those involved in the slaughter and butchering of animals have been officially designated “Critical Workers”.

“Essential” to the functioning of society.

In the same category as nurses, midwives, paramedics, doctors.

We can’t go on like this.

 

UK death toll – April 2020

 

113 million, 25 thousand+ animals slaughtered.

 

209 thousand+ cattle

984 thousand+ sheep

932 thousand+ pigs

110 million, 900 thousand+ “poultry” birds

 

Does not include other species such as deer, goats, horses, “game birds”, aquatic animals or animals exported for killing.

 

*Source; UK Government

 

 

 

Since Coronavirus regulations were announced, we haven’t stopped working for Scotland’s animals.

Although we’ve put in place measures to make sure we continue to be there for them, one part of our work that has been affected is our street campaigning and outreach events.

We intend to get back out and into our communities as soon as it’s safe to do so. If you want to join us please message, or email sarah@scotlandforanimals.org, and we’ll keep you in the loop.

Stay positive, we’ll all get through this together.

 

*Incidents of animal cruelty look to be increasing through lockdown. If you suspect it, report it*

 

 

 

 

90 million, 740 thousand+ animals slaughtered.

 

252 thousand+ cattle

1 million, 23 thousand+ sheep

965 thousand+ pigs

88 million, 500 thousand+ “poultry” birds

 

Does not include other species such as deer, goats, horses, “game birds”, aquatic animals or animals exported for killing.

 

 

 

 

The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture has proposed legislation to reclassify dogs as “non-livestock” animals.

If successful, and if enforced, this will at least reduce animal suffering.

It’s unclear whether any regulations will also address consumption of dog meat.

 

 

 

88 million, 465 thousand+ animals slaughtered.

 

226 thousand+ cattle

955 thousand+ sheep

884 thousand+ pigs

86 million, 400 thousand+ “poultry” birds

 

Does not include other species such as deer, goats, horses, “game birds”, aquatic animals or animals exported for killing.