superjules Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 What I don't get is why the RSPCA issued the certificate when they knew the conditions were that bad? Surely they should have with held the certificate and this would have encouraged the farm to get them selves sorted out..then they could apply again....and fined them HUGE amounts of money too!!!Those poor hens Sharon x I totally agree - why was that certificate issued? At the very least their freedom food standard should have been removed and they should have been prosecuted, not just told to improve their standards and left to get on with it. Unless schemes like this have the teeth to actually do something, rather than being limited to making recommendations, it's absolutely worthless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 A good friend emailed me about this, with a good quote: If they call that Freedom, god help the poor prisoners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my fat hen Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I think I'll be e-mailing the RSPCA to ask why they are condoning keeping animals in such conditons and then they have the cheek to mail me for a donation to support THAT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I imagine they'll be getting a lot of emails like that today. Let's hope so anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I don't support the RSPCA, I choose to help Compassion in World Farming instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I sent this mail to all my contacts, including the CIWF mail address; ****warning**** contains upsetting images Have a look at this channel 5 footage, these chickens have been labelled as RSPCA freedom food “Free Range” eggs!!!!! http://www.fivetvonline.tv/news.php?news=639 Freedom food doesn’t seem to be worth the paper it’s written on. These birds are probably the tip of the ice berg! I’m heartbroken seeing this and the farmer AND the RSPCA should be brought to task over this in my opinion! If you want to buy free range eggs from a reputable source here’s a useful link for you to find a farm near you where you can be certain of what you’re buying www.freerangereview.com just use the postcode finder. Thanks for reading and caring. Regards Justine I got this reply from CIWF Dear Justine Thank you for your e-mail regarding footage from an RSPCA Freedom Foods free-range farm. I am sorry to hear of the distress it has caused you and would like to assure you here at Compassion in World Farming we are consistently working towards a world where farm animals are treated as sentient beings and the cruel practices of factory farming end. Compassion in World Farming have been assured by the RSPCA that a disease outbreak at the farm had caused some of the welfare issues rather than poor system. Additionally, this is an example of a single farm rather than the whole system and we believe consumers should not lose confidence in free-range systems. However, Compassion in World Farming continue to urge the RSPCA to ensure that Freedom Foods guarantee consumers piece of mind . Freedom foods and free-range systems do offer much higher potential welfare than battery cage systems. Compassion in World Farming currently have campaigns regarding the welfare of both laying hens and broiler chicken and we are consistently lobbying councils and supermarkets to consider animal welfare issues in the produce they sell. If you would like further information regarding these campaigns then please do let me know. Once again may I thank you for your feedback with regard to this issue.I hope we are able to ease your distress with the knowledge that our commitment to better the welfare of all farm animals is paramount. If you do have any further queries then please do not hesitate to contact our Supporter Services team on (01483) 521963 who will be more than happy to help. With my thanks and very best wishes, Hayley Warner Supporter Services and I have just replied with this... Hi Hayley Chicken welfare is very close to my heart as we keep our own garden hens, in fact my chickens are ex battery hens and I care deeply about the welfare of agricultural animals in general. I am aware of the good work CIWF do and I regularly read your web site. My local council, Halton, was recently awarded a good egg award by yourselves. Quite a while ago, I wrote to my MP asking for the council to introduce free range eggs after having read that Wirral council had already done so, so I do feel a small part of them changing over to free range eggs! The farm in the footage was supplying eggs marked as FREE RANGE, disease issue aside, they were clearly NOT free range hens and even if they had been labelled BARN EGGS, the stocking density was appalling; no wonder there was a disease outbreak! I notice you say “Freedom foods and free-range systems do offer much higher potential welfare” The word potential stands out for me as yes; there is the potential for higher welfare systems, they just need to be properly implemented, inspected and monitored and I feel in this case, the RSPCA have let themselves, the public and most importantly the poor hens down. Thank you for your reply and for the work you do, your organisation does wonderful work and I have far more respect for yourselves than for the RSPCA. I have previously read the RSPCA guidelines for freedom foods and I discussed them in great length on a chicken forum with other chicken keepers and the consensus was that they didn’t go nearly far enough, stocking density being one of the main concerns. This latest footage, for us, was the last straw. Again, thank you and I hope you don’t mind me copying your reply to everyone concerned in my initial mail so they can get a fuller picture of the situation. Kind regards Justine I just can't sit back and do nothing when I see footage like this, it makes me soooooooooooooo A friend of mine volunteers for the RSPCA and I included her, she will probably feed it up the chain of command too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I've only just been able to watch this. It's just so horrific!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 Good call Poet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 That is absolutely disgusting. I haven't donated to the RSPCA for a number of years because I don't trust them - seems they obviously get backhanders along the line. How anyone could give that farm a pass mark is beyond me. I showed the report to DD and she is very upset - she wants to go to the local shops and stick labels on the Freedom Food with a warning (poor kid). We'll probably be getting lots of PETA stickies all over the place again! I see the Alton Show is on soon - the RSPCA will probably have a stall there - makes you want to protest in front of them doesn't it. DD has decided to make some T shirts and put a logo on with: "FREEDOM FOODS IS A LIE" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I started a campaign against them a while ago after they included ads for McDonalds in their Animal Action magazine for children - they were encouraging shildren to buy (not so-)Happy Meals to win a prize from the RSPCA. Needless to say, I cancelled Rosie's subscription. They just didn't get it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 From a reputable charity to the absolute pits! Claret - I didn't see that - it is a terrible thing to do - shame on the RSPCA! DD has spent the afternoon plotting - heaven help me I have a militant daughter on my hands! Oh well, I guess I am already on the Government's naughty books for being a Greenpeace member in my youth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I guess I am already on the Government's naughty books for being a Greenpeace member in my youth! You and me both Koojie! Carl had to act as a reference (referee? ) for a friend of his who was being promoted within the Foreign Office - luckily, we weren't married at the time and I guess they didn't check too far....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I have only just watched and I am almost in tears. How can this still go on, it is disgusting, heartbreaking to see chickens live that way. I have to say that seeing the Waitrose free rangers in the field looking happy means that until I get my chickens and they lay I will be buying my eggs from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I have only just watched and I am almost in tears. How can this still go on, it is disgusting, heartbreaking to see chickens live that way. I have to say that seeing the Waitrose free rangers in the field looking happy means that until I get my chickens and they lay I will be buying my eggs from there. Do you have any farms near you that you can buy from, Yolky? When my chooks stop laying in the winter, I buy from a local friend or the farmers' market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 You know on the way back from Sainsburys I always see a sign by the pub on the green which says 'free range eggs for sale' I have never stopped because I thought what I was buying from Sainsburys were proper free range eggs but I think I will be pulling into there this week and checking out their chooks. Good idea Claret. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 You know on the way back from Sainsburys I always see a sign by the pub on the green which says 'free range eggs for sale' I have never stopped because I thought what I was buying from Sainsburys were proper free range eggs but I think I will be pulling into there this week and checking out their chooks. Good idea Claret. i hope this doesn't sound preachy but if you drive past anyway, why not support the little guy instead anyway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 Buying free range AND local is even better Yolky You never know - they might even have or know of some free range meat birds, so if you eat meat, then you're all catered for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 What a horrible, shocking video . It's so sad that, quite apart from the general neglect, a selfish decision by an uncaring human (not to let them out so he wouldn't have to wash the eggs) can have such an effect on thousands of poor defenceless creatures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I'm not surprised .... my wife and I never believe what is on the box ... and only use it as a potential indication (I got told off for buying barn eggs last month!). Charities may rely on the money for the certificate from the farmers, with targets to meet, revenue to receive, limited and low trained resources to do the inspections, little clout or incentive to drop farms from the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I have just read on the RSPCA web site that the farm has been suspended, I should think so too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I have just read on the RSPCA web site that the farm has been suspended, I should think so too! I do wonder whether it would have been suspended if it weren't for the news item.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I have just read on the RSPCA web site that the farm has been suspended, I should think so too! I do wonder whether it would have been suspended if it weren't for the news item.... same thoughts here. My friend I mentioned has passed my mail up the food chain so if the RSPCA respond, I'll let you know. She responded with this Working for the RSPCA myself a lot of people don't realise how far the RSPCA can go, how much government red tape gets in the way, they do their damndest to campaign and fight for better standards when it comes to livestock, it's a trust thing between farmers and the RSPCA and unfortunately the RSPCA don't have the resource to properly police these things, the government don't give a damn, the RSPCA is not the law, they have to abide by the law. This is a sad case, but think of how many wonderful farmers are out there with the freedon food label, you'll always get good and bad no matter how hard the RSPCA and any other welfare organisation tries to better things. Hope no-one minds me emailing, I'm not defending but it's worth someone else giving an opinion particularly as I work for the RSPCA (unpaid). It's the government you want to crack down on not the RSPCA as we are all for the greater good. I'm not be looking for replies but lets try and help the RSPCA in campaigning etc... we're all singing from the same hymn sheet, lets all stick together and try and make a difference. And I responded with this which she's forwarded for 'official comment' Hi -------- I included you because I hoped you would respond with an RSPCA point of view. I understand what you’re saying but it doesn’t excuse how the RSPCA would sanction and give their freedom food label to a farm that clearly did not meet even the most basic “freedoms” outlined in its own charter. If they don’t have “the resource to properly police these things” as you say, then that is a major, major concern! How can the public trust the ‘freedom food label’ in that case? Sorry but you also said “it's a trust thing between farmers and the RSPCA”. This comes from the RSPCA’s own web site “The Freedom Food label enables shoppers to recognise higher welfare products - products that come from animals reared on farms inspected to strict RSPCA welfare standards, with assured traceability from farm to fork.” It doesn’t say, “We just trust the farmers to follow our guidelines”. http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=Producersection&marker=1&articleId=1121758148522 The neglect these hens suffered clearly went on for quite some time, where were the “strict RSPCA welfare standards” in this case? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Oh lord, I had to click it off, I couldn't bear to watch anymore. WHY ISN'T THE GOVERMENT BANNING THESE PRACTICES? WHAT CAN WE DO? There has to be something we can do. Battery farming, too.. Why isn't that banned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whittlewitch Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Unfortunately at the moment, people still (on the whole) think with there purse strings, which I know am also guilty of - not perhaps with eggs, but did I put fair trade bananas in my trolley this week, no I'm afraid i didn't. I would like to live my life differently but cost does come into it. However if we all made a stand on this and other issues and supported the efforts of those who are bringing this to the medias attention, things would change and prices would lower becoming more affodable to the masses. I am hoping that giving my chickens a decent life is a step in the right direction, there not yet laying but I have decided not to buy eggs now, and we will simply have to do without until they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 WHAT CAN WE DO? There has to be something we can do. http://www.ciwf.org/involved/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
