Abandoning codes of practice for farm animal welfare is not in the best interests of the animals or those who will ultimately consume an animal raised in poorer conditions. The RSPCA said it has been voicing concerns for the past three years about the “downgrading” of the guidelines from statutory codes to industry-led guidance and criticised the lack of transparency around the process. The meat industry has had many scandals over the years and weakening regulations can only increase animal suffering and impact those consuming meat reared under poorer quality conditions.

On 12th March two hunt monitors, one an ex-police officer, from the League Against Cruel Sports were seriously assaulted and robbed while monitoring Leicestershire’s Belvoir Hunt. They were attacked by a gang of hunt followers, some of whom were on quad bikes and wore masks. There have been arrests but, so far, the Belvoir Hunt has declined to condemn, or even comment, on the attacks. No reputable organisation should remain silent in the face of violent acts committed in its name, much less condone them. It is important that the Belvoir Hunt takes a strong position following the recent attacks and issues a statement as outlined in the petition. For more on the violent assaults see: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/men-arrested-animal-rights-charity-s-monitors/story-28913823-detail/story.html http://www.league.org.uk/news-and-opinion/videos/2016/mar/two-league-staff-brutally-assaulted-and-robbed-by-hunt-supporters Image: © Copyright Simon Mortimer and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

There has been no scientific evidence to show that killing badgers is an effective way to reduce TB in cattle. Culling badgers is a cruel, expensive and ineffective policy which should be stopped.

There has been no scientific evidence to show that killing badgers is an effective way to reduce TB in cattle. Culling badgers is a cruel, expensive and ineffective policy which should be stopped.

Badgers are lush! Surely we should protect them not kill them. We humans have jeopardised their natural habitat and wild lives quite enough already! There has been no scientific evidence to show that killing badgers is an effective way to reduce TB in cattle. Culling badgers is a cruel, expensive and ineffective policy which should be stopped. Let's get a campaign going in our area - perhaps we could team up with Secret World Wildlife Rescue in Highbridge? Somerset Wildlife? RSPCA? Let me know if you wanna b badgered with this campaign..... Cheers,Jo

There has been no scientific evidence to show that killing badgers is an effective way to reduce TB in cattle. Culling badgers is a cruel, expensive and ineffective policy which should be stopped.

There has been no scientific evidence to show that killing badgers is an effective way to reduce TB in cattle. Culling badgers is a cruel, expensive and ineffective policy which should be stopped.

There has been no scientific evidence to show that killing badgers is an effective way to reduce TB in cattle. Culling badgers is a, cruel, expensive and ineffective policy which needs to be stopped. There are studies that are working with vaccines to inoculate Badgers against TB and which should be given time. When we are hoping that developing countries will prioritise biodiversity over economic growth it is hypocritical to be killing our own wildlife.

There has been no scientific evidence to show that killing badgers is an effective way to reduce TB in cattle. Culling badgers is a, cruel, expensive and ineffective policy which needs to be stopped.

There has been no scientific evidence to show that killing badgers is an effective way to reduce TB in cattle. Culling badgers is a cruel, expensive and ineffective policy which needs to be stopped.

There has been no scientific evidence to show that killing badgers is an effective way to reduce TB in cattle. Culling badgers is a, cruel, expensive and ineffective policy which needs to be stopped.

Mark Spencer MP recently received a free game bird shooting weekend courtesy of lobbying group British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). We are, in turn, asking our MP to stop accepting gifts from shooting lobbyists and from now on support a ban on the damaging practice of driven grouse shooting. There are many very good reasons for banning driven grouse shooting: -Government subsidies support this practice (at a time when everywhere else is feeling the brunt of cuts: why aren't millionaire landowners?); -the illegal killing of grouse predators (especially the hen harrier, which is now almost extinct in England due to persecution on grouse moors); -grouse moors are extensively 'managed' in such a way that causes far higher flood risks downriver; -increased water pollution (which inflates our water bills- there is evidence that bills would be cheaper if the rich man's driven grouse shooting was banned); -increased greenhouse gas emissions due to the practice of burning the moors to keep a habitat that boosts grouse numbers; -millions of birds are killed each year.