RMB Newsletter 8:5 Open Letter to Defra
Dear Reader,
Here’s a quick message in the lead up to Christmas and New Year
festivities.
In the last RMB Newsletter (Partners in Crime) I mentioned the UK
Government’s attempts to write guidelines to help dog and cat owners
better look after their pets and to avoid being in breach of the new
Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
http://secureshop.rawmeatybones.com/newsletter/view.epl?id=52
With the rush of Christmas I almost missed sending a submission to Defra,
the UK Government Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, that
is overseeing the new Animal Welfare rules. The deadline for submissions
is 31 December 2008.
The full Animal Welfare Act is here:
www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/pdf/ukpga_20060045_en.pdf
And the proposed ‘Consultation on Code of Practice for the Welfare of
Dogs’ is here:
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/welfare-dogs-cop/consultation.pdf
The Code for Cats is here:
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/welfare-cats-cop/consultation.pdf
If we disagree with any aspect of the Codes then we’ve got little time in
which to act.
The UK Government Department (Defra) say in their letter inviting
comment:
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/welfare-dogs-cop/letter.htm
'We welcome your views and comments in general but specifically on the
content of the code. . . .
Please send responses to either: Elaine Cannon, Area 8B, No 9 Millbank,
17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR Telephone: 020 7238 5332
Or email: Animalwelfareconsultations@defra.gsi.gov.uk clearly stating the
name of the consultation in the subject header. Eg: Code of Practice –
Dogs.’
Please, I urge you; send a message to Elaine Cannon telling the UK
Government that you are not happy with the proposed Codes and what the
Government needs to do to make improvements.
Defra say in their letter:
‘When this consultation ends, we intend to put a copy of the responses in
the Defra library at Ergon House, London. This is so that the public can
see them. Also, members of the public may ask for a copy of responses
under freedom of information legislation.’
Rest assured the junk pet-food industry, vet associations and fake animal
welfare agencies will be making submissions.
Now’s our chance to let Defra and the UK Government know that they are
travelling down the wrong path –- a path paved with ill health and
suffering courtesy of the junk pet food/vet/fake animal welfare alliance.
Below, I’ve copied the submission (slightly amended for email) I sent to
Defra. If you agree with it and want to make the same or similar points
all you need do is forward this email Newsletter to:
Animalwelfareconsultations@defra.gsi.gov.uk
If you’ve got time to add a few thoughts of your own, that’s best. But if
not, please forward the Newsletter before 31 December. Defra needs to
know that there are many thousands of concerned pet owners who want the
current junk-food fuelled madness to end. The pets want the madness to
end and we can help.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year,
Tom
Ps. If we get this right for dogs and cats, then ferrets and captive wild
carnivores will benefit too -– not just in the UK, but in all countries
of the world that genuinely care about animal welfare.
__________________________________________________________________________
OPEN LETTER to UK Government, Department of Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs in respect to the Animal Welfare Act, draft Codes of Practice for
the Welfare of Dogs and Cats.
_________________________________________________________________________
23 December 2008
Elaine Cannon,
Area 8B, No 9 Millbank,
17 Smith Square,
London, SW1P 3JR
UK
Email: Animalwelfareconsultations@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 7238 5332
Dear Ms Cannon,
Consultation on the Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs and Cats
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the above mentioned Codes.
Please find enclosed copies of Raw Meaty Bones, Work Wonders, Nexus
article www.rawmeatybones.com/articles/Nexus07_pub_articletext.pdf
and testimonials. www.rawmeatybones.com/vetsay.php
There are many supporting documents, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
election manifestos, videos, RMB Newsletters and articles at
www.rawmeatybones.com
In my opinion the Draft Code, insofar as it encourages dog and cat owners
to disregard biological imperatives, breaches the aims, spirit and letter
of the Animal Welfare Act.
If dog and cat owners follow recommendations in the draft Codes of
Practice I believe that they will be in breach of the Animal Welfare Act,
Clause 4 (Prevention of harm, Unnecessary suffering) and Clause 9
(Promotion of welfare, Duty of person responsible for animal to ensure
welfare).
Specifically, breaches will arise with respect to a dog or cat’s need:
a) for a suitable diet,
b) to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns,
c) to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
The Draft Codes, whether directly or by implication, advocate and endorse
the feeding of processed food. It is well known and understood that
regular consumption of junk food by humans gives rise to widespread ill
health and disease. At least since 1991, it has been well known and
understood that processed diets for dogs and cats are the equivalent
of ‘junk food’ and give rise to widespread cruelty, disease and
suffering. Conversely a natural diet:
a) Satisfies biological diet imperatives.
b) Ensures essential gnawing and chewing behaviour.
c) Protects against periodontal and a host of other diseases arising
from unnatural diets.
Please, I urge you; revise the Codes in light of the information
supplied.
I shall be pleased to supply more information as you may require and to
discuss any aspect.
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Lonsdale
___________________________________________________________
We welcome copies of correspondence/emails/faxes for possible inclusion
in future RMB Newsletters.
Please circulate, distribute or reproduce this newsletter as you wish.
___________________________________________________________
The Raw Meaty Bones Newsletter is published by:
Tom Lonsdale
Rivetco P/L
PO Box 6096
Windsor Delivery Centre
NSW 2756
Australia
Phone: +61 2 4574 0537
Fax: +61 2 4578 1384
Email: rivetco@rawmeatybones.com
Web: http://www.rawmeatybones.com
To subscribe or unsubscribe go to:
http://secureshop.rawmeatybones.com/newsletter