Friends on the Farm
NEWSLETTER
Spring 2015
VOL3, ISSUE 1
Welcome to the arrival of a sunny and unusually hotter
spring! Due to temperatures that have at times soared past
25 degrees, many of our jobs usually undertaken in
summer have now been completed. The sweet scent of
blossom is in the air, the sun is shining, the birds are
singing and the grass has grown. I think if I were to ask the
animals how they’re feeling, they would respond with
something like, ‘as happy as you!’ and they would be right,
spring is such a welcoming time on the farm, the animals
are well fed on the spring grass while they enjoy calmer
days. To see this puts a smile on my face!
This season we –

Reduced the volume of feed outs due to the onset
of spring grass

Finished work on the cow shelter and we got the
tick of approval from each cow!

Held a cupcake stall where all profits went
directly into the sanctuary hay fund

Had a visit from – our lovely farriers to trim horse
hooves, and an earlier visit from our wonderful
shearer Mick who shore sheep’s woolly coats

Commenced work on a new pig shelter and yard
for our growing pig family

On-going paddock maintenance: collection of
manure, removal of weeds and repairs to fences

Mowed overgrown grass in the ducks yard

Hung up shade-sails in the ducks/hens yard,
rabbits yard and sheep paddock

Planted a small number of trees
Betty & little Dotti enjoying
the day
Friends on the Farm have recently completed the film ‘Lonely
Souls’ it’s over 5 years in the making and documents animals
in agriculture. Please show your support by viewing the film
via our website www.friendsonthefarm.com and help spread
the message that animals are not ours to eat, wear or exploit.
In this Edition
Farm updates and spring in pictures pg. 2
Live export response from local MP – pg.3
“Despite the forecast, live like its spring.” – Lilly Pulitzer
Raising funds with
vegan cupcakes!
Farm updates
To celebrate spring I put together a cute little film
featuring our wonderful friends on the farm, you can
view it on you tube – please check it out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qg2qJW_0B4
Sadly we said goodbye to lovely Rufus our male
Muscovy duck a long-term resident on the farm who
suffered permanent leg paralysis and was unable to
recover. Rufus a long-time resident on the farm was a
real pleasure to know. He sure was a gentleman that
protected and cared for his girl ducks. Goodbye Rufus,
you will be terribly missed by us all.
Ragan & Chelsea with
Henry the dog
New Friend
cute little Christian
This season we
- Welcomed 6 young guinea pigs and 1 cute little Rooster
all needing a home
- Treated Harry the elderly guinea pig for an eye
infection
- Trimmed sheep hooves
- Treated Dotti the pig for a sore leg
Sophie with her
fresh new look!
- Moved the little pig family in with our 2 pigs
Little Morris exploring his new
ground
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Response from MP Eric Hutchinson re: Live Export
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We have been keeping the pressure on our local MP Eric Hutchinson who openly supports the gruesome live export
– Here’s
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the correspondence-
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Eric Hutchinson - “Livestock exports are an important, ongoing trade for Australia. The industry employs around
contributes
significantly
the
country’s economy, supports many rural and regional communities, and underpins better economic returns at the farm gate.
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Additionally, the livestock export trade contributes to the food security of millions of people in importing countries across the world, particularly in markets
where there are strong cultural and economic preferences for fresh meat. The value of Australia’s live animal exports is around $1.4 billion per year and
continues to grow. Our international market share and reputation has been built on our ability to supply international markets with some of the highest quality,
cleanest and most sustainably produced livestock in the world. Australia’s leadership in the trade has provided a significant opportunity to positively influence
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animal welfare conditions in importing countries, and continues to do so.
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The Australian Government, industry as well as importing countries all share a strong commitment to animal welfare, and since the introduction of the Exporter
Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) Australia has exported eight million head of livestock to 18 countries
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of animal welfare concern. A recent review into ESCAS indicates that more than 99% of Australian animals that are exported are treated humanely and in
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accordance with standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
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In fact, the OIE itself has said the Australian livestock export industry is leading the world in animal welfare and
that industry’s
investments
in improving
implementation of OIE welfare standards has its full and unequivocal support. This comes on the back of the provision of training under ESCAS by the
livestock industry to more than 7,000 people working in supply chains in Asia and the Middle East, including managers and animal welfare officers, who help
improve animal handling and husbandry techniques and increase the use of stunning equipment.
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I understand and share your concerns about recent allegations that livestock were removed from approved supply
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markets
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Adha celebrations this year. It is therefore important to note that the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is already investigating these allegations,
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the outcomes of which will be published on the department’s website when completed. In the past, the department has removed entire supply chains (for
example, in Gaza) as well as removing facilities from individual supply chains (such as feedlots in Vietnam, Jordan
and Israel)
in response
to breaches
of Continue
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ESCAS.
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ESCAS has continued to drive welfare improvements during Eid celebrations this year despite assertions by animal welfare groups that the ESCAS system is a
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failure. The fact that both industry and animal welfare groups have reported alleged breaches so quickly to the Continue
Departmentnewsletter
of Agriculture
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the
system is in fact working as it is designed to do.
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As a result of Australia’s world-leading practices, animal welfare outcomes have improved not only for Australian exported livestock but also domestic
livestock and those sourced from other countries. Despite this we are constantly striving for improvement and therefore the government will continue to work
with industry to change the way we regulate the trade to improve animal welfare outcomes, reduce costs for industry and realise greater opportunities for
Australian producers and exporters. The government accepts that there are a wide range of views on the issue of livestock exports within the community
however we remain strongly committed to ensuring that this important trade can continue under the world-leading standards that are currently in place”
Eric Hutchinson – “Australia can be very proud of the investment we make to improve conditions for livestock right along the supply chain. We are the only
exporting country with such commitment to improving handling conditions in the country of destination. If Australia vacates these markets, product will be
supplied from elsewhere with undoubtably poorer animal welfare outcomes.
It is interesting to contemplate such things from our privileged viewpoint, when you consider that Australia supplies 30% of the protein requirements of
Indonesia for example. Many of the communities and markets are not able to manage the logistics of chilled or frozen product and hence rely exclusively on the
live cattle exported from Australia.
Whilst I understand and respect your point of view and in no way do I condone cruelty to animals of any kind, we do have a different perspective on the value
and importance of the live export trade, not only to our customers, but also to Australian farmers”.
One of our Replies - “You stated in your letter "in response to breaches of ESCAS" - Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System
I think the majority of breaches are reported by Animal welfare organisations. If it wasn't for Animal welfare organisations the cruelty would
be understandably overlooked by industry, considering its a billion dollar one. It's only due to investigations from Animals Australia that reveal unimaginable
cruelty suffered by Animals exported live to these countries that practice no animal welfare, are revealed to the greater Australian public. The industry would
never reveal their investigations to the public. If you say the industry is monitored well and that its a billion dollar industry, then why are these breaches
still occurring? It’s an industry that profits only from the suffering and torture of Australian Animals Only. And that is nothing to be proud about. The live
export trade and all those involved are unethical. To supply international markets with some of the highest quality, cleanest and most sustainably produced
livestock in the world". - I dare say that after weeks sailing the seas in extreme temperatures, forced to survive on an unnatural diet, livestock entering these
countries would be far from the picture of health and quality, rather unwell and covered from head to toe in their own faeces. Take for example, the ship
carrying sheep many years ago to UAE would not accept the shipment because the sheep caught diseases on board.. But the industry doesn't care, so long as the
industry keeps profiting, everyone will be turning a blind eye to the suffering and exploitation of Australian sheep and cattle exported live, including you.
Anyone who knowingly sends their Animals live export and those who openly praise and attempt to justify this cruel unsustainable industry are no better than
those individuals who torture these defenceless Animals.”
like
Let’s keep up the pressure against live export!!! Contact your local MP and be a voice for the voiceless and let your MP know we will not stop until this trade
stops!!!.
e box or..
Spring 2015
Our Mission
Friends on the Farm is a small sanctuary providing a loving home to neglected, unwanted
farmed animals and in many cases treating animals with long-term ailments suffered from
intensive farming systems of abuse. We also promote the benefits of a healthy plant-based diet,
one that is kinder on the earth, the animals and us!
VOL 3, ISSUE 1
“May our hearts overcome our appetites”
“where all animals are our friends”
www.friendsonthefarm.com