• Stop the Dolphin Slaughter in the Feroe Islands, Denmark .
    The Calderon dolphins are near extinction and innocently go to the shores to interact and play. They are greeted by sharp hooks that lead them to their slow and painful deaths in their own blood. They are magnificent, intelligent creatures and there is and never will be a good reason on this Earth when such a massacre should be necessary. "The hunts, called "grindadráp" in Faroese, are non-commercial and are organized on a community level; anyone can participate. The hunters first surround the pilot whales with a wide semicircle of boats. Then they drive the whales slowly into a bay or to the shallows of a fjord. When a whale is in shallow water a hook is placed in its blowhole so that it may be dragged ashore. Once on land or immobilized in knee-deep water, a cut is made across its top near the blowhole to partially sever its head. The dead animals are then dragged further to shore after the remaining whales have been likewise killed. This "grindadráp" is thought to be legal and provides food for many people in the Faroe Islands. Some Faroese consider the hunt an important part of their culture and history. Animal-rights groups, such as the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, criticize it as being cruel and unnecessary, while the hunters claim in return that most journalists do not exhibit sufficient knowledge of the catch methods or its economic significance."
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    Created by Dylan Friese-Greene
  • Increase the Bee population - Grants for beekeepers
    Bees pollinate 70% of our food crop and their numbers are dramatically falling. Over the last 100 years, the UK has lost over 75% of its Bee population but human population has nearly doubled from 38 million to 63.7! This will keep increasing and with their numbers falling, Bees cannot keep up with the task of pollinating our food supply which we rely on. We are asking the Government to provide financial support for farmers and beekeepers who in return will invest the money in their bees to encourage their maintenance and growth. Also, it may encourage others to take it up if there is a financial incentive. If we do not help bring back the Bees, our food will become more expensive as pollination of crops reduce. This is also a global issue so without our own Bees, what will we do when other Countries cannot pollinate enough crops for export to us? At present, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs provides free training for amateur beekeepers but this is not enough. We are asking you to sign this petition and share it with your friends. We need a 100,000 signatures for the idea to be presented in Parliament so financial grants for beekeepers can be discussed. Thank you for signing :) Carmen and Sam
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    Created by Carmen Kerschbaumer
  • STOP THE RSPB KILLING GOATS.
    Hillside Animal Sanctuary has offered to re-home feral goats from the eastern shore of Loch Lomond to prevent them being culled. Hillside urged RSPB Scotland to halt the cull, which is being carried out to protect Pollochro Woods. The area is viewed as a site of special scientific importance. RSPB Scotland have previously said they would consider alternative solutions in March, but that the cull will continue until then. They are now saying that they will continue with the cull in September. Wendy Valentine of Hillside Animal Sanctuary said it had offered to give the goats a home for the rest of their lives rather than have them shot. Ms Valentine, whose sanctuary in Norfolk is home to more than 2,000 rescued animals, added: "It is a shame that an organisation that is set up to look after the welfare of animals should take a stance that goats should be culled. "We have rounded up herds of Highland cattle that have gone wild and Highland ponies, so goats would not be any different. We have 70-80 of them already. Hillside's offer to re-home the goats follows an approach from the Scotland For Animals charity, which has also enlisted the help of Humane Wildlife Solutions, a Borders-based company specialising in pest control without killing. John Patrick, from Scotland For Animals said: "We have presented a do-able option that is not going to cost them (RSPB Scotland) any money. "I would have thought they would have jumped at the offer if they really are pro-conversation, pro-nature and pro-wildlife."
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    Created by Louise Rowan
  • Save the Mardyke Horses
    This area of land has been underwater for two months now Horses have died in the past on this land and others have had to be dragged out of the mud in conditions less wet than at present These animals are at risk and need protection
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    Created by Sue Burton
  • Stop Fish Farms Around The Isle of Coll
    The Isle of Coll has some of the cleanest seas in the world and is one of if not the most important basking shark breeding grounds in the world. Fish farms are pollution on an industrial scale and we need to stop polluting the sea. This is all for profit to produce salmon for the developing market in China. Why should we pollute our waters to provide a luxury to wealthy chinese and kill our sea life for profit.
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    Created by John McCann
  • GM Free food for Humans & Animals
    “We are confronted with the most powerful technology the world has ever known, and it is being rapidly deployed with almost no thought whatsoever to its consequences.” — Dr Suzanne Wuerthele, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) toxicologist GM foods have not been shown to be safe to eat No long term human feeding studies have been done. Ever. There is Zero evidence that demonstrates GM food, or produce derived from GM fed animals is safe for humans to eat. Food Standards Authorities are ignoring their own, and independent scientific research and failing to acknowledge numerous studies which prove GM food and animal feed is definitely not ‘substantially equivalent’ and is in fact, potentially un-safe for human and animal consumption. UK and European food standards agencies are failing the public by relying on biased, short term data from the companies who manufacture GM crops & animals and stand to benefit financially and commercially from regulators turning a blind eye. Biotech-Accidents Happen We don’t want to be a GM feeding experiment especially in light of 2012 European food safety research documenting how a biotech “accident happened” After years of GM crops being on the market, a viral gene with serious potential to harm human health has been ‘discovered’ in 54 commercially available GM crops. Apparently, this was an ‘unintended accident.’ New genes and gene products, mostly from bacteria, viruses and other non-food species are being introduced. There is potential for transgenes, viruses & antibiotic resistance markers to spread out of control causing damaging & un-intended consequences to humans, animals and the environment. Health Independent scientific research has shown GM foods to cause tumour growth, damage the reproductive system & digestive tract and detrimentally affect the liver and kidneys of animals fed a GM diet. Research in 2012 demonstrated that rats fed GM maize died prematurely. No-one seems to know what damage GM foods are doing to humans, although there are unexplained increases in allergies, especially to soya, since the introduction of GM foods. GM and non-GM cannot co-exist. GM contamination of conventional and organic food is increasing. Consumers want GM free food Consumers don't want to eat GM foods or animal products raised on GM feed. Recent FSA research show the majority of consumers don’t want to eat animal products produced with GM food. We don’t trust GM companies to be in control of our food Chemical Poisoning Most GM crops are grown to be resistant to chemicals such as glyphosate. In Argentina and Paraguay, doctors and residents living in GM soy producing areas have reported serious health effects from glyphosate spraying, including high rates of birth defects as well as infertility, stillbirths, miscarriages, and cancers. Independent data shows glyphosate spraying has increased since the introduction of GM crops. Agricultural Diversity It is crucial that a diversity of crops can be grown side by side without contamination. GM crops have caused a serious emergence of “superweeds” resistant to pesticides. Farmers should be allowed to save their seed and re-plant it should they choose. The use of heritage seeds and traditional seed varieties should be able to continue. We don’t want control of the world’s food supply in the hands of a few biotech company directors. Environmental Pollution Genetic pollution contaminates, forever. Studies have shown the survival rates of Monarch butterflies and ladybirds are threatened by GM pollen and increased spraying due to genetically modified crops. Farmers who wish to grow non-GM crops have been sued by the biotech companies when GM contamination has occurred because their neighbours were growing GM crops. What’s the point? It is widely acknowledged as a myth that GM crops can help solve world hunger, even by the CEO of one of the companies who manufactures GM crops. The solutions to world hunger are complex, and political will is needed to contribute towards solutions. Farmers worldwide are rejecting GM crops. Current GMO’s have nothing to offer the goals of reducing hunger and poverty, improving nutrition, health and rural livelihoods, and facilitating social and environmental sustainability. “If some people are allowed to choose to grow, sell and consume GM foods, soon nobody will be able to choose food, or a biosphere, free of GM. It’s a one way choice, like the introduction of rabbits or cane toads to Australia; once it’s made, it can’t be reversed.” – Roger Levett The time has come to choose between a GM-based, or a non-GM-based, world food supply.
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    Created by Louise Somerville Williams
  • N.Ireland dog owners against banning dogs from West Strand beach PORTRUSH
    Portrush is a fantastic place to live and visit due to its natural beauty including its beaches, This beach has been enjoyed by dogs and their owners for as long as I can remember over 30 years and 30 years before that and that again I have no doubt. To enforce this ban would surely stop people from visiting the area, how can that be a good thing when so much money has been spent in the town in recent years.
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    Created by Kieran Quinn
  • End the transport of live animals for slaughter
    The cruel archaic export of live farm animals should end because of the suffering caused by extremely long journeys often without mandatory breaks, food and water, then slaughtered in what would be unacceptable conditions in the UK. If the animals were killed as near to rearing as possible (which would create jobs in the UK) and exported as meat it would also end the time and expense of policing a trade that a great number of people find objectionable.
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    Created by ANGELA BROOKE-WARD
  • Protect Britain's Nesting Birds
    The RSPB have asked the question, "when was the last time you saw a lapwing tumbling through the sky or a heard of turtle doves gently purring as you walked through fields" The loss of 44 Million Nesting Birds is hard to comprehend and is a direct result on the irresponsible actions of Human Beings! We must act now and care for these beautiful creatures in every way we can!
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    Created by John Brown
  • Remove Bee-Killing 'Pesticides' From Shops
    Many agricultural chemicals are harmful to insect pollinators and other wildlife, but people typically think those intended for use in the garden are safe. However, many of these products contain ingredients that are known to be toxic to bees and other beneficial insects, as well as important soil bacteria. Safe alternatives are available and there is no need to use poisons in your garden. We encourage you to create a 'Bee-Friendly Zone' in your garden, where pollinators can safely live and forage. See www.beefriendlyzone.org for more.
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    Created by Philip Chandler
  • Stop unregulated dog breeding
    We work at Animal Lifeline – a registered charity based in Stoke-on-Trent. In the thirty years it has been running, the situation with unwanted or abandoned dogs is the worst we’ve ever seen it. The problem is most critical with Staffordshire Bull Terriers and breeds associated with a macho image. Such dogs are often bred for fighting, and charities like ours are bursting at the seams with animals that have become too much of a handful for people to look after. We want to see a law enforced saying that no one can breed pedigree dogs without a license. The stipulations of that license need careful consideration but we’d recommend that: Any individual granted a license must follow a ‘Responsible Breeder’s Code of Practice’, All recipients must be properly home-checked, Spot checks are carried out on breeders by authorised authorities to ensure they adhere to animal welfare laws and the Code of Practice, A log book similar to the log book of a motor vehicle , to be passed on if the dog is transferred to new owners Please sign and share the petition. This trend of the overbreeding of 'macho-image ' dogs must be addressed.
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    Created by Leslie Lloyd
  • SAVE HALSTEAD'S HISTORICAL WOOD AND AIR RAID SHELTERS!
    A very big thank you to everyone who helped in our fight against Tesco. Now we need to fight Round 2!! This green lung, just to the east of Halstead High Street comprises woodland containing 9 Trees under Tree Preservation Orders and natural springs that provide a wetland environment for amphibians. There are also 16 WWII air raid shelters, 9 of which are listed: as a group this is a very rare thing. Braintree District Council plan to ‘regenerate’ the site, to build more roads, properties and shops and demolish all but one or two of the shelters. We want this land to be conserved for present and future generations, to be a green haven, a heritage site and something that the town can be proud of. Thank you again for your continued support - let's see if people power can win again!!! Eileen Penn Halstead 21st Century Group 'Preserving our past for the future' This is a large area of natural woodland, with several very mature trees, full of wildlife: deer, bats, owls, hedgehogs, squirrels, rabbits, newts, frogs etc. It is also home to one of the largest collection of Air Raid Shelters in the country, sixteen in total, which are of a huge historical importance. The many bats are also known to roost in them. These shelters were for the use of the mill workers (Courtaulds Mill was nearby) in Factory Lane East and the Mill Managers who lived in cottages in Vicarage Meadow. It would be lovely if this could all be retained for the people of Halstead and others to visit. All the mature trees could be retained and some of the grassy areas made into parkland, with the rest being maintained as a nature reserve.. Each air raid shelter could have an information board, with likely items from the war years on display. And the many deer and other animals could be allowed to continue roaming free. Alison shea
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    Created by Alison Shea