SAFE SUPPORTER BULLETIN
CAMPAIGNS X EVENTS X NEWS X ACTIONS X RESCUES X GIVEAWAYS

     

The battery hen cage. It is by far one of the cruellest and most exploitative production systems ever implemented by the farming industry. The cage is a callous design intended to maximise profits and to be efficient and convenient for the farmer. It lacks adequate space, comfort or any hope of reprieve for the hens. We know it is fundamentally and morally wrong. Sadly, battery cages still remain the most common egg production system used worldwide. In New Zealand, slight changes took effect as of 1 January 2008. It became illegal to provide each battery hen with less than 500 square centimetre of space - an increase of 50 square centimetre. While it sounds like progress it merely equates to the area of two credit cards. Wahooo! It is industry tokenism and it is insulting. Are hens better off? NO.

For over twenty years SAFE has been demanding the industry stop using cages, period. We have made submissions, launched extensive campaigns and exposed horrific conditions. We have been relentless. A significant result is that we have gained the support of the majority of New Zealanders to call for a ban on cages. But has the poultry industry or government listened? NO! It is getting worse, not better, despite recent media reports. The next phase for the egg-producing industry worldwide is the replacement of old-style cages with new cages termed modified or enriched. Are hens better off in these cages? NO. SAFE is opposed to any cage, period.

The egg industry says hens are better off in cages. What crock! Hens are better off in cages for the egg industry, period. Hens desire fresh fields, trees to roost in, space to wing flap, forage and play, and soil in which to dust bathe. One thing is clear - the egg industry continues to demonstrate its unwillingness to make meaningful changes. I remain disgusted that they continue to be belligerent and contemptuous of doing what is right. They even have the audacity to portray themselves as the ‘good guys’. What a joke. I decided years ago to avoid eggs to distance myself from the industry altogether. I suggest you do the same. Maybe then, and only then, will the egg industry be motivated to listen to our demands.

Anthony Terry
Director

This email was sent by:
SAFE
PO Box 13 366
Christchurch, New Zealand
safe@safe.org.nz
 
 


SAFE HUMANE EDUCATION
If you’re wondering what is happening with the new SAFE education programme Animals & Us then wonder no more. SAFE education officer Nichola Kriek is busily working on the second resource booklet entitled Animal Rights, Human Values, Social Justice. Issue two will examine the emergence of the modern animal rights movement and reflect on society’s attitudes towards animals and animal suffering. SAFE education officer Nichola Kriek is excited about the second issue. More. . .
Cartoon printed with permission courtesy of Dan Piraro.

PIGS RECEIVE WIDESPREAD SUPPORT
SAFE’s campaign to end cruel pig farming practices continues to receive fantastic support from the New Zealand public. SAFE has been informing people about factory pig farming through nationwide stalls, the distribution of campaign packs and lately, television advertising. More. . .

APPEAL HEROES AND HIGHLIGHTS!
National appeal coordinator Sacha Dowell spent a good part of last year preparing for SAFE’s largest nationally coordinated event and fundraiser. She was thrilled to see it went so smoothly and effectively across the country. Sacha reports on some of the notable highlights.

The appeal was an astounding success mobilising over 1100 collectors and raising a nationwide total of $312,000 collected in 4,800 volunteer hours. As the national appeal coordinator I am humbled by the stories and actions of people going out of their way to be part of our important event. Here are some highlights: More. . .

WON! $2000 CRUELTY FREE PRIZE DRAW
We have a winner! Susan Henderson & family from Lower Hutt. Susan has won a fantastic cruelty free prize which includes a weekend for two at Kimi Ora spa resort in Nelson, a Hedgehog mountain bike and prize packs from Trilogy, Blue Earth, Soy Works, B_E_E, Ecostore and SAFE. Congratulations Susan!

LITTLE CHAMPIONS!
Our fantastic Hamilton collectors never give up! Jody and Marshall Christian have hardly had a break after the December appeal and since then have collected over $1,000 outside local supermarkets. Well done guys!

BEAGLE PETITION - SEND THEM IN!
SAFE is collecting completed petitions on the Ban Beagle Experiments campaign (www.banbeagleexperiments.org.nz) and have had hundreds of signatures sent back to us. If you still have petitions, please send them to us ASAP.

TRAINING WORKSHOP
SAFE is organising a weekend training workshop for SAFE’s volunteer coordinators to be held in Auckland in March. The workshop will ensure coordinators have the necessary skills to successfully campaign for SAFE and move the organisation forward. This will enable SAFE to make a more concerted effort against intensive pig farming and other animal cruelty issues in New Zealand.

CAGED HENS GET MINOR REPRIEVE
Battery cages that provide birds with 450cm² of space are now illegal in New Zealand. As from 1 January 2008 all cages must have door openings that cover the full height and width of the cage and hens must be provided with 500cm² of space. More. . .

KAIMANAWA WILD HORSE TRIP
SAFE members are invited to see wild Kaimanawa horses in their natural habitat. The Kaimanawa Wild Horse Welfare Trust has arranged with the New Zealand Army to take a group into the Kaimanawa Ranges on the 2nd of March for a special day trip. This region is normally closed to the public so it is a privilege to be able to offer you this experience. Limited seating. The trip leaves at 10am from Waiouru and returns about 4pm. Cost is $50.00 per adult, $35.00 per child. For more information contact Karen at: 2008trip@wildhorses.org.nz or phone 09 236 3575.

 

29 JANUARY 2008 #41



Get the new year off to a radiant start! We have two rejuvenating vegan skin care treats to give away. Trilogy purifying masque is 100% plant based and contains organic ingredients. Let the gentle Kaolin clay draw out impurities and nourish your skin. Valued at $29.95. Carol Priest rose toner spray contains distilled water and essential rose oil to protect and refresh your skin. Valued at $18.70. Email now to enter the draw. Closes 6 Feb.

Congratulations to Kim Jury for winning the SAFE subscription for a friend. Nice one, Kim!

HELP PLACE
A NIFTY DONATION BOX!

Calling all enthusiastic SAFE supporters!

We need your clever suggestions for the placement of our nifty donation boxes in retail stores, cafés, health food stores or just about any place that has a busy shop counter. SAFE’s donation boxes have become a fantastic way to raise money, they are a nice addition to shop counters and are a pleasant visual reminder to the public about animal welfare.

If you have any ideas or know an animal-friendly business that would be happy to place one of our donation boxes in their business, please send your suggestions to chloe@safe.org.nz or call Chloe at the SAFE office on 03 379 9711.