animals

We call upon  the European Commissioners Stella Kyriakides (DG SANTE) and Valdis Dombrovskis (DG Trade) to immediately suspend the importation of Kangaroo body parts and flesh. Statistics have disclosed more than 70% of Kangaroo flesh derived from the Australian "harvests"  is exported to Europe. The slaughter of Kangaroos for export of body parts and flesh for human consumption  under an Australian Commonwealth Government approved “wildlife trade management plan” does not comply with the Legislation of the European Union namely Regulation 1099/200910,  Killing of animals. Under the regulation, stunning animals before killing, ( to ensure the killing is humane and not cruel)  is compulsory. This regulation applies to animals “culled” for depopulation, disease control or “other purposes” and farmed animals, and there is no evidnce to suggest this is taking place. Further, the regulation requires meat imported into the EU to be accompanied with an attestation certifying that requirements at least equivalent to those of the EU have been met. Investigations have revealed this cannot be certified. Kangaroo Killing "culling" "harvesting"  is  Cruel and Inhumane     Due to the remote locations where commercial kangaroo shooting takes place there is no control or policing. Nobody is present to ensure animal welfare practices are complied including whether Kangaroos are stunned, and this practice is not happening. No statistics are available for the animals who are wounded and escape.  Kangaroos have been found with blown-apart jaws from mis-shooting but have survived to endure a long and painful death from starvation.  'In pouch' joeys of shot mothers are either decapitated (if very small) or killed with a blow to the head. Quite often dependent 'at foot' joeys escape, and suddenly face a life alone, often falling victim to predators, exposure or starvation. Eastern and Western Grey Kangaroos are not weaned until they are nearly 18 months old. “A Shot in the Dark’ — a report on kangaroo harvesting, a 2009 report commissioned by Animal Liberation (NSW) estimates some '440,000 dependent young kangaroos are either clubbed to death or left to starve after their mothers are killed'. (Source:Animals Australia) Not only are the EU Legislation not complied with the Australian kangaroo industry Code of Practice requires that animals be killed by a single shot to the head, but even conservative estimates suggest that more than tens of thousands of the adult kangaroos for commercial processing each year, are not killed in this manner. (Source Animals Australia).  The "culling" and "harvesting" of Kangaroos fails to comply with EU Regulations and the Australian Code of Practice. The "harvesting" is cruel and inhumane. Commercial Trade in an Australian Emblamatic and Iconic Native Kangaroos The Australian Governments’  support for a Commercial Trade in Kangaroo Body Parts and Flesh for human consumption is being challenged and there are calls for it to be banned.  It has been asserted State and Commonwealth Legislation designed to conserve and Protect Native Wildlife does not extend to a commercial slaughter to satisfy a demand for trade in body parts or flesh for human consumption and particularly on a commercial scale.  State Governments rely on claims of “overabundance” to justify “culling” or “harvesting” Kangaroos in order to satisfy local Wildlife Legislation and the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)  to obtain a permit to remove or cull protected Native Wildlife. There are allegations that the population numbers of Kangaroos have been grossly exaggerated to justify a claim of "overabundance" and that in fact in some States Kangaroos may face extinction as a consequence of "harvesting" or the push to supply demand for the commercial exploitation of Kangaroos for body parts and flesh for the local and overseas market for human consumption on a commercial scale. The intention of Legislations  is not  to support the commercialisation and trade in commerce of Australian Native Wildlife body parts or flesh for human consumption, but rather the preservation and conservation of Australian native wildlife.    Ministerial approval having been granted for a “wildlife trade management plan” under the EPBC Act,  in order to achieve an export of Kangaroo body parts and flesh for human consumption on a commercial scale is being questioned.  There is a  Call for a Ban on Killing Kangaroos and an immediate ban on the commercial "harvesting" of Kangaroos, and  to ban any further killing of Kangaroos; to revoke all current Permits and Plans for trade in Kangaroo body parts and flesh for local and export for commercial purposes.  Kangaroos are not and have never been "farmed animals" in Australia nor were Kangaroos "farmed" by Australia's First Nations' peoples. To some indigenous Australians Kangaroos are totemic. Kangaroos are  protected Native Wildlife. We call upon the European Commissioners Stella Kyriakides (DG SANTE) and Valdis Dombrovskis (DG Trade) to immediately suspend the importation of Kangaroo body parts for trade and commerce and flesh for human consumption as the EU Regulations are not being complied with. Photo Credit: Red Box Wildlife Sanctuary Elphinstone, Victoria Australia  

To many dogs are being put down even though they aren't sick in pounds. In stead of being looked after and buying them.

Contented Pig Inn is a rescue sanctuary for abused, abandoned, sick or neglected pigs in the Northern Rivers of NSW. We are currently facing orders from Lismore council to remove all but 4 of our animals and have not been given any options allowing us stay with our current residents. There must be alternatives to the impossible task put forward. We deserve the opportunity to make this work for us and the surrounding neighbours. Our zoning is RU1, which is rural primary production. We didn't go into this blindly or ignore council requirements, yet the current situation leaves us with the going to the land and environment court and facing huge fines for non compliance, or "disposing" of our pigs any way possible (this will NEVER happen).  Please help us continue to help the animals and stay in our home. To move is a huge expense and the sanctuary simply cannot afford it. We are a small registered charity running off a property owned by the organisation's president and founder. The situation has become incredibly stressful and is affecting the mental and physical health of those involved. Over the past year there has been drought, bushfire, torrential rains, and now Covid-19. Communities need to work together in these crazy times, not against each other.  Our ask to council is simple. Work with us to find a solution that works for everyone. This is important. Thank you for you support.   

Having travelled to QLD and back to Victoria twice in the last two years, I was saddened not only by the death of Kangaroos on our Roads but also the plight of our Livestock, Cows, Horses and Sheep that have to stand every day under the hot sun, without trees, without shelter, without love for their lives. I have witnessed this also in Victorias farming land where sheep stand in a circle to shade each other because they have no trees to shade under.  What a terrible human race we are to not provide trees and shelter to those that provide us with Milk, Meat and Wool.  At least, we should give them shade and comfort on this earth instead of baking under the Australian Sun. All I ask is that we provide shade structures, by way of Government subsidies and local jobs until trees via Government subsidies and local jobs create permanent shade.   If these animals were Unicorns struggling each day in the heat then maybe we might gather around them more for help.  Please let us help all our livestock to have shade, shade and more shade.  As humans we have fans and air conditioning and then we have a lamb or beef roast!!  What are we doing to these poor animals!!! LETS MAKE SHADE AND LOTS OF IT!!!!xxx