Slaughterhouse accused of ‘unbearable cruelty’ closes

AN Essex slaughterhouse has been forced to close after secret filming inside it by animal welfare campaigners led to allegations of serious cruelty towards pigs.

A and G Barber, of Purleigh, used to kill a quarter of all cull sows in the UK. Its main buyer, said to be a German sausage manufacturer, cancelled its contract after viewing the footage, forcing the abattoir to close.

The abattoir was one of a number exposed in secret filming by Animal Aid earlier this year. The animal welfare group said the film, shot over three days in April, showed scenes of ‘extreme and deliberately-inflicted suffering’, including use of electric tongs on animals’ snouts, tails and in their mouths.

It said other breaches filmed include ‘incompetent and inadequate stunning’ for most of the 767 pigs filmed, stunned pigs left to regain consciousness, and pigs being routinely kicked in the face and hit in the face with shackle hooks.

One worker and the slaughterhouse operator still face prosecution.

Kate Fowler, Animal Aid’s head of campaign, criticised the failure of the regulatory system to pick up the abuses at an abattoir where veterinary inspectors were in attendance.

“It is appalling that the cruelties meted out to animals at A&G Barber were allowed to continue and that all regulatory systems failed to detect and stop the abuses,” she said.

“If Animal Aid hadn’t happened to film at the plant, we believe that workers would still be kicking, beating and causing deliberate suffering to pigs there. It is right and proper that companies who have seen our film shunned A&G Barber.”

» Full article

» Read more about the investigation at Animal Aid

Related: Sir Paul McCartney – If Slaughterhouses Had Glass Walls

What ?

The monthly ScouseVeg social gathering.

Where ?

The Egg Cafe, 16-18 Newington, Liverpool   Map/Directions

When ?

Friday 3rd September, 2010
From 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

More info:

Scouseveg’s monthly meeting at The Egg Cafe in city centre Liverpool. Join us for an informal gathering, and meet some like-minded people. Families welcome! The Egg Cafe is completely vegetarian and has a good choice of vegan dishes as well. Prices are very reasonable and you can bring you own wine but there is a charge for corkage. Alternatively, you can sample the juices or hot drinks available. We will be there from 8pm onwards. We are usually upstairs in the gallery – look for the stairs to the right of the serving counter. Please contact us if you are thinking of attending as we may need to reserve a table (or two)

- Contact us

Nature’s Boutique which is run by Carrina, a friend of ScouseVeg is over the moon about it.

Press release:

MERSEYSIDE FASHION & BEAUTY BOUTIQUE MAKES TOP 3 IN RSPCA GOOD BUSINESS AWARDS SHORTLIST

A Merseyside online business has reached the finals of the national RSPCA Good Business Awards within just six months of trading.

Founded in February this year by animal lover and vegan Carrina Rowe, NaturesBoutique.com is one of three.

The fashion and beauty etailer’s strict animal welfare and ethical business policies were praised by the high profile judging panel who recognised Carrina’s efforts as a small business owner who places animal welfare at the top of her agenda:

“It’s a fantastic surprise and a real honour to have made it this far in such a prestige national competition. I have always admired and respected the companies chosen for an RSPCA Good Business Award, so to be in the running for one ourselves and in our first year makes me incredibly proud,” said Carrina, whose lifelong love of animals and nature stems from her mother who worked as a veterinary nurse.

“As a little girl, my mum always rescued animals and when I left home, I followed in her footsteps taking in all sorts of creatures in need!”

“My belief that no animal should have to suffer for the sake of our beauty led me on a search for cruelty free make up and skincare products that were also natural, kinder to the environment, animals and my skin.”

“I started Nature’s Boutique after discovering some products that claimed to be cruelty free were not necessarily so. None of the products we sell are tested on animals, nor do the brand owners pay third parties to conduct animal testing on their behalf. In fact many are certified by independent bodies such as the BDIH, Soil Association and Vegan Society which have strict criteria for products bearing their seal. Customers can shop safe in the knowledge that there are no animal derivatives and no animal ingredients in the products sold on our site.”

Carrina also supports a number of local and national animal charities such as Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre, World Horse Welfare and the Parkgate Pony Sanctuary, co-sponsors of Scouseveg – the social and campaigning group for vegetarians and vegans in and around Liverpool, Merseyside and the Wirral and actively helps raise awareness of the many animal related causes close to her heart.

The winners will be announced on Wednesday 6th October in London.

- Find out more Facebook and Carrina’s blog

Some news from Karen who runs Dragon Indulgence which is in Gostins Arcade on Hanover St:

“Just to let you know that this Saturday 28th August at 12pm Dragon Indulgence is haveing a free cake tasting event.

We will have cake and cheesecake suitable for vegan, gluten and wheat free diets avalible to sample. Which will also be avaliable in store on the day and after at reasonable prices.

Event starts at 12pm come and have some yummy cake.”

Address:

» Map/Directions
» Website: www.dragonindulgence.co.uk

Yotam Ottolenghi’s beetroot & avocado salad

“This nourishing creation can probably be dubbed a superfood salad, a term I try not to use much, mainly because I am not sure what it actually means. Still, there is so much good stuff in here that it makes you feel very healthy and conscientious indeed. Served as it is, it can be a very substantial meal – just scatter a few roasted hazelnuts and/or chunks of creamy goat’s cheese over the top, and you need nothing else. Serves four to six.”

Ingredients:

Method:

Peel the beetroots and slice them very thinly, around 2-3mm thick – if you have one, use a mandolin. (If your beets are large, halve them after peeling, then cut into slices.) Put the beetroot in a pot with plenty of boiling water and simmer for three to five minutes, until semi-cooked; it should still be crunchy. Drain and put in a large bowl.

When you’re ready to serve, spread half the beetroot mixture on a large platter or in a shallow bowl. Top with half the avocado, coriander, mint, pea shoots and broad beans. Add the rest of the beetroot and arrange the remaining ingredients on top. Drizzle with a little oil and serve.

» Link to article

The monthly ScouseVeg social gathering.

Where ?

The Egg Cafe, 16-18 Newington, Liverpool   Map/Directions

When ?

Friday 6th August, 2010
From 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

More info:

Scouseveg’s monthly meeting at The Egg Cafe in city centre Liverpool. Join us for an informal gathering, and meet some like-minded people. Families welcome! The Egg Cafe is completely vegetarian and has a good choice of vegan dishes as well. Prices are very reasonable and you can bring you own wine but there is a charge for corkage. Alternatively, you can sample the juices or hot drinks available. We will be there from 8pm onwards. We are usually upstairs in the gallery – look for the stairs to the right of the serving counter. Please contact us if you are thinking of attending as we may need to reserve a table (or two)

- Contact us

GROWING GREEN INTERNATIONAL – INVITATION TO JOIN OUR VOLUNTARY EDITORIAL TEAM

The environmental charity Vegan-Organic Network publish their magazine Growing Green International which is distributed all over the world. Would you like to join our editorial team? Producing a lively magazine requires much cooperative input. We are looking for someone with relevant skills, especially a full competence in IT, to join the editorial team who after full familiarization, could participate in every aspect of the organization needed to bring each issue to completion twice a year.

Knowledge of horticulture or related fields would be helpful. This is an important, rewarding and interesting role for a volunteer working from home. Please contact Peter White for further information, giving details of relevant experience. advice@veganorganic.net

Phone enquiries welcome 0161 928 3614. Some previous articles and covers can be seen at www.veganorganic.net

A new find…

“Arbonne is a unique company, renowned for offering quality Swiss skin care products and health supplements that are botanically based and 100% vegan, unlike any other upscale cosmetic company in the world. Our skin can absorb up to 60% of the creams and lotions we apply to it (and that percentage is higher for liquid products), and the harmful chemicals found in most standard skin ‘care’ products are rapidly taken into our bloodstream. Therefore, it is crucial to be confident that the products we use are safe. Arbonne not only delivers beautiful results, but also peace of mind that the beauty is *more* than skin deep!”

http://elizabethkenyon.myarbonne.ca/

Message from Niki about an upcoming event at Studio 2 at Parr Street:

“Hi all

The lovely Studio 2 in Parr Street is having its very first veggie/vegan social food night on the 19th July, from 7.30pm.

There’ll be a veggie and vegan buffet at it’s only £5.00 a ticket!

Beers and wines will also be checked in advanced to clarify that they are suitable for veggie/vegan consumption. Bar prices range but you can get a pint of Becks for £3.00 :0)

» Tickets can be purchased from me at the next Scouseveg Monthly Meeting.
» They can also be purchased direct at the bar at Studio 2 from next Friday (3rd).

This is a first at Studio 2 and if it’s successful they will keep it as a regular monthly event. They are also open for suggestions if people in the future would like entertainment, singers etc etc.

I will be helping the chef with buffet ideas and only veggie and vegan food will be produced on the night there will be no cross contamination issues.

I can also arrange to send tickets out if you can send a cheque, we would prefer to sell tickets before the event rather than people just turning up so we have ideas of numbers for volume of food.

Please support this event if you can so we can get another place doing regular veggie and vegan food.

For those who have not been its a lovely chilled out bar that does great vegan brekkies!!”

Studio 2 is at Parr Street Studios – Full address & other details:

STUDIO2
Parr Street Studios
33-45 Parr Street
Liverpool L1 4JN

Tel:0151 707 1050

» Map/Directions

]]> http://www.scouseveg.co.uk/2010/06/29/studio-2-veggie-vegan-night/feed/ 1 http://www.scouseveg.co.uk/2010/06/18/scouseveg-monthly-meeting-july-2010/ http://www.scouseveg.co.uk/2010/06/18/scouseveg-monthly-meeting-july-2010/#comments Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:34:12 +0000 Webbie @ ScouseVeg http://www.scouseveg.co.uk/?p=2420
What ?

The monthly ScouseVeg social gathering.

Where ?

The Egg Cafe, 16-18 Newington, Liverpool   Map/Directions

When ?

Friday July 2nd, 2010
From 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

More info:

Scouseveg’s monthly meeting at The Egg Cafe in city centre Liverpool. Join us for an informal gathering, and meet some like-minded people. Families welcome! The Egg Cafe is completely vegetarian and has a good choice of vegan dishes as well. Prices are very reasonable and you can bring you own wine but there is a charge for corkage. Alternatively, you can sample the juices or hot drinks available. We will be there from 8pm onwards. We are usually upstairs in the gallery – look for the stairs to the right of the serving counter. Please contact us if you are thinking of attending as we may need to reserve a table (or two)

- Contact us

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