The exciting news is that 8Hours the EU-wide campaign, which aims to bring to an end the long-distance transportation of farmed animals for slaughter, has secured 837,226 signatures as of today. You can view the latest figure here.
The campaign, which OneKind is proud to be part of, is collecting 1,000,000 signatures calling for 8 hour maximum journeys, and is very close to achieving that goal. At the first meeting of MEPs who support 8hours last Thursday, we agreed several actions in the Parliament, and also to postpone the petition deadline to 5 January 2012.
Around six million farmed animals, including calves, cattle sheep, pigs, goats and horses are transported each year. The most important issue affecting their welfare is the length of the journeys, and at the moment animals can be transported hundreds or thousands of miles without adequate rest, food, water or comfort. This is not only distressing to the animals but also has a detrimental impact on their health and the spreading of disease, with consequences for the entire food chain.
In 2002, the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare concluded that animal journeys, as a ground rule, should be as short as possible. This recommendation is, however, not reflected in the current EU legislation.
A recent investigation into animal tranposrtation shows that even the movement of animals considered as more economically valuable, like heifers destined for milk production can cause intense suffering to animals transported over long distances. You can view or download a copy of the investigator's report here.
Please will help us to achieve the target number of signatures. In terms of public support and the number MEPs involved, this is already one of the biggest European animal welfare campaigns ever. By spreading the word and helping us achieve this 1 million figure you will have a chance to make history. Use your Facebook or Twitter accounts to encourage people to sign, get family members to take part; write blogs for animal welfare websites; write to local newspapers or speak to local schools or businesses to see if they would lend their support.
Your help is extremely valuable, so please lend us your continued support and we can make a real difference to the welfare of animals across Europe.
8 hours is still too long, hope it goes through.
Hope it goes through, although I think eight hours is still too long. I am thinking of the animals, it is still cruel.