Get Active With BARC!!
1. Second Meeting of Spring
2. Smithfield Phases Out Gestation Crates!
3. Marcho Farms to Eliminate Veal Crates!
4. Help ARFF Protest Flea World
1. Next BARC Meeting
What? Official BARC Meeting
When? Monday, February 5th
5:00 pm
Where? Coulburn Hall, Room 204 (because it might rain!)
Our second meeting of the Spring semester will take place this coming Monday at 5pm. We will be finalizing plans for the larger events of this semester and discussing other cool events that we didn’t get to discuss last time (like: “Have a Heart for the Animals” this Valentine’s Day!). Also, a LOT has been happening in the area of animal rights these past couple weeks, so read up on the issues below and we will discuss how we can take action right here at UCF. 
PS. Also feel free to bring vegan/vegetarian food with you to the meeting (potluck-style). We love food and we especially love to share.
2. Cruel Crates To Be Phased Out by Major Pig Producer!
In breaking news this past week, the nation’s largest pork producer, Smithfield Foods Inc., announced plans to phase out “gestation crates” at all of their breeding pig farms over the next decade! This is a major development, which is in response to growing awareness and opposition to the cruel treatment of animals exploited for food. It comes in the wake of an Arizona voter initiative, banning veal and gestation crates, that passed by a wide margin last November.
Narrow gestation crates are commonly used by the animal agriculture industry to confine pregnant pigs inside warehouse-type facilities without the ability to even turn around or lie down comfortably. Numerous research studies have shown physical and psychological maladies experienced by sows in confinement from the unnatural flooring and lack of exercise.
This new position by Smithfield is in stark contrast to the industry’s previous statements and justifications about using gestation crates, wherein they had stated: “thousands of farmers, including our contract growers, depend on these individual stalls to house their sows to ensure the safety, welfare and health of each and every pig.” This proves that animal advocates are gaining ground by educating the public and pressuring corporations to conduct themselves in ways that are more consistent with humane, societal ethics.
Other Media sources:
Reuters - January 25, 2007
Smithfield to phase out gestation crates - WSJ
Wall Street Journal - January 25, 2007
Smithfield to Phase Out Crates
Ag Professional Weekly - January 25, 2007
Smithfield to switch from gestation stalls to group housing for sows
3. Another Corporate Farm Backflips…
After Smithfield announced they would phase out gestation crates… This week, Marcho Farms, one of the largest U.S. veal companies announced plans to phase out veal crates! In 2002, Farm Sanctuary investigated and exposed conditions at Marcho Farms, and pressured the company to make changes.
It is significant that Smithfield and Marcho Farms have now changed course. Previously, they were both strong proponents of keeping animals in narrow crates. The industry’s back flip on these confinement issues begs the question: what else are pigs, calves and other farm animals rightfully entitled to?
These recent announcements demonstrate that we are making progress. Cruelty to animals violates basic humane principals, and industrial farming operators are now being forced to recognize this.
Still, industries that exploit and slaughter calves and pigs tend not to be very transparent about the way animals are treated, so it will be important to remain vigilant and to keep the pressure on. In the case of Marcho Farms, releasing calves from 2-foot-wide crates is progress, but nothing is humane about taking a newborn calf away from his mother and shipping him off to be slaughtered only a few months after his birth. So our fight is not over!
4. Month of Action against Flea World in Central Florida…
What? Valentine’s Demo against Flea World
When? Saturday, February 10th
11:00 am
Where? Flea World (4311 Orlando Ave.), Hwy 17-92 between Orlando and Sanford (Click here for map)
Flea World, a flea market in Sanford (10 miles north of Orlando), regularly features animal acts including tigers, elephants and other animals. Click here for more information.
During the month of February, Flea World will feature a circus act that includes a solitary elephant named “Dondi” (pictured above in a promotional photo). Dondi is an Asian elephant who was violently captured in the wild in 1974 and brought to this country to perform. Dondi is also forced to give rides at Flea World. She is kept in a small trailer when not performing. Please join us for the Valentine-themed demonstration, “Have a Heart, don’t go to the circus”
**Join us for lunch after the demo at Clay Oven, located at 1275 S. US Highway 17/92 in Longwood.
Other actions against Flea World planned for February:
Recent performers at Flea World have included acrobats, magicians and a comedy act. Clearly, Flea World can still provide entertainment to its patrons without exploiting animals and endangering the public.
The owners of Flea World, Sydney and Marianne Levy, have ignored numerous appeals to discontinue sponsoring animal acts. Monday through Friday, Mr. & Mrs. Levy operate another central Florida business, United Trophy. Activists are needed to help display a 15-foot long banner outside of United Trophy in downtown Orlando, on the following dates:
Dates and Times: Fridays, February 2, 8:00am; February 9, 12:00 noon; February 16, 8:00am, February 23, 12:00 noon.
Location: United Trophy, 610 N. Orange Avenue, downtown Orlando (map).