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Wednesday, June 14, 2006 KIND FOOD GUIDE Compassion in World Farming (SA) Thanks to the buying power of caring shoppers, more and more farm animals in SA are being given the opportunity to enjoy life’s basis gifts of sunshine, soil, fresh air and the freedom to exercise their basic behaviours. But the majority of farm animals still remain hidden in factory farms. As caring shoppers, we can hasten their release from mutilations and crammed confinement by the choices we make at the supermarket. For example, every time we buy a free range item we effectively open a cage door and set more animals free. Compassion in World Farming (South Africa) has produced this guide so that each of us can help farm animals lead lives worth living. We have included additional information that is not strictly related to farm animals but which helps other animals and the environment too. Our achievements so far include the following: 1991 – Free range eggs reintroduced into supermarkets after decades of absence 1997 – Exposé results in ostrich industry ban on live-plucking of ostriches before slaughter 2001 – Exposé results in a nation-wide ban of the Devil’s Fork in Kosher slaughter as well as the rotating slaughter box 2004 – Woolworths banns eggs from caged hens in all its stores nationwide 2004 – Free range broiler (meat) chickens become available in supermarkets countrywide 2004 - Woolworths directs its Ayrshire farmers to raise all male dairy calves humanely until 18 months old 2005 / 2006 – Western Cape Education Department includes our video / DVD Farm animals and us – a South African perspective in its Edumedia Resource Catalogue for schools nationally, under Natural Science, Intermediate and Senior phase. Goosie’s Story (about a battery hen who finds freedom) in included under Languages, Intermediate – Senior phase. Eggs Eggs that are not labeled “organic”, “free range” or “barn” are from caged hens. This means the hens have a space allowance that is less than this sheet of paper for LIFE! AVOID EGGS FROM CAGED CHICKENS! Organic eggs: Hens have access to the outdoors, can lay their eggs in nests and can exercise natural instincts such as scratching and pecking, dust-bathing and sun-bathing. Their feed is plant-based and organically grown. Sick chickens are treated with homeopathic remedies and antibiotics are used only as a last resort. Free range eggs: Hens have access tot eh outdoors, can lay their eggs in nests and can exercise natural instincts such as scratching and pecking, dust-bathing and sun-bathing. However, their feed is not necessarily organic and if sick, they are treated with conventional veterinary medicines that included antibiotics. Barn eggs: These hens are kept indoors up to 9 birds per square meter. There are some perches and litter on the floor. 18 million laying hens are still confined to cages in SA! For more details on factory farming of laying hens, contact CIWF (SA) or see our Power Point presentation “Which comes first, the chicken or the egg” on our website. Milk Most cows in SA are injected with a synthetic hormone, rBST, to stimulate milk production. This often leads to cows having udders that are so huge, their hind legs are thrown out of balance and laminitis, an agonizing disease of the hoof, can set in. Look for organic milk, cheese, yoghurt and other dairy products. õ Woolworth’s Ayrshire dairy range has been rBST-hormone free since 2000. However, in March 2006, Woolworths extended this policy and became the first retailer in SA to guarantee that all its fresh milk and yoghurts are rBST-hormone free õ Pick & Pay also stocks rBST-free milk Calves Because they will never produce milk, baby bull calves in the dairy industry are regarded as surplus. They are removed from their mothers and often killed at birth, dumped at auctions or reared in tiny stalls for veal. In 2003, CIWF(SA) exposed the plight of bull calves in the dairy industry in a 14 minute documentary entitled “Saving baby Ubuntu”. As a result, Woolworths directed all its Ayrshire farmers to raise their bull calves humanely until 18 months old. In addition, the Milk Producer’s Organisation used its mouthpiece The Dairy Mail to appeal to farmers to give proper care to baby bull calves. Farmers were told: “Your responsibility does not end at the farm gate”. For more details, send for CIWF(SA)’s video / DVD “Saving baby Ubuntu”. Chicken When buying chicken, look for the free range label. This means that the chickens have been allowed to enjoy life’s basic gifts such as sunshine, soft green grass and the ability to move around. Look for the Free Range label when buying other meats as well! Pork Sadly, almost all pigs that supply the supermarket are still confined in factory farms in SA. MISLEADING ADVERTISING – DON’T BE FOOLED BY PRETTY PICTURES OF ANIMALS ROAMING IN THE MEADOWS. If the package does not say ORGANIC or FREE RANGE, it is not! Fish and seafood 75% of the world’s fish stocks are being exploited to their limits or are over fished. By-catch, meaning the unintentional catches of other than the targeted species, kills millions of animals such as albatrosses and turtles each year. The destruction of the seabed by bottom trawlers further increases the negative impacts of industrial fishing activities. If the seafood industry doesn’t change its practices we might soon run out of fish. Consumers can positively influence retailers by making purchasing decisions that favour sustainable seafood. When buying seafood, shoppers should avoid overexploited species and those that are caught by harmful gear. The South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) has published a shopping aide that fits in your pocket and lists endangered and recommended species. The international charity Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has developed a blue eco-label that can be found on 20 seafood products at Woolworths (19) and I&J (1). The eco-label identifies seafood that comes from sustainable fisheries. More info – www.wwf.org.za/sassi or www.msc.org Other symbols to look for are “Badger friendly honey” and “Dolphin friendly tuna”. Vegetarian – All ingredients of these products are suitable for lacto-ovo vegetarians – people who don’t eat meat or fish, but do eat dairy products and eggs. Vegan – These products contain no ingredients of animal origin. Vegetarian and Vegan options help reduce animal suffering, are kinder to the environment and can be better for your health. To fin out why eating less meat is good for you AND our planet, please send for CIWF’s DVD / video “Eat less meat, it’s costing the earth”. Symbols we still urgently need are: õ Free range pork õ Calf-friendly milk õ Leopard-friendly lamb õ Seal-friendly fish To find out more about CIWF(SA) and hopefully support them, go to www.animal-voice.org (magazine) or Head office website www.ciwf.org Email – avoice@yebo.co.za [Posted by: Davina at 12:50 pm] |
 Every animal deserves love, protection and our voice.
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