Live export and SLaughter in indoneSiaThere has been widespread public outrage at the horrific scenes of animal cruelty in Indonesian slaughterhouses shown on a recent episode of the documentary program Four Corners. Perhaps you have seen the footage yourself, or heard descriptions of it, and have been horrified that this happens to animals. No one could deny that what we saw was terrible and cruel. It was absolutely appalling. However, footage from Australian slaughterhouses is rarely, if ever, shown on television. If it was, most would find it similarly as shocking as the footage from the Indonesian slaughterhouses.

Want to do SoMething aBout the SLaughter oF aniMaLS?

LIVEEXPORT ANDANIMALSLAUGHTER

For a FREE vegan starter kit with information on how to eat a healthy vegan diet, visit: http://vegan.fm/health. For more information on veganism and animal rights, visit the Animal Rights Advocates website: www.ara.org.au

The information in this pamphlet is based on the article ‘Animal slaughter: not just horrific in Indonesia’ by Nick Pendergrast. For links to the sources used throughout this pamphlet, you can view the original article online at: http://vegan.fm/liveexport

VISIT US ONLINE WWW.ARA.ORG.AU

SLaughter in auStraLia and BeYondEx-slaughterhouse workers have described Australian slaughterhouses as ‘horrible’, with conditions including animals suffering from overcrowding, being whipped and beaten with chains and crowbars, and having their throats slit whilst fully conscious and struggling. Like the events in the Indonesian slaughterhouses, these are not isolated cases. In her book Slaughterhouse, Gail Eisnitz interviewed slaughterhouse workers in the United States. All interviewees admitted to beating, strangling, boiling or dismembering animals alive, or failing to report others that did so. Even if slaughtering is done “properly” or “skilfully”, the fact remains that violence is being inflicted on defenceless animals. Other animals, just like us, want to carry on living and avoid death. When facing their imminent death, other animals make it clear that they highly value their life, just like we do.

taKe aCtion againSt aniMaL SLaughterThe good news is that you can do something right now to save lives. You don’t need to wait for industry or laws to change. As an individual you can make a difference. Animals are slaughtered to meet a demand created by the consumption of the products of slaughter. Unless we reduce the demand for these products, the same number of animals will be killed in slaughterhouses around the world, regardless of a ban on live export. Meat isn’t the only product that involves slaughter. In the dairy industry, male calves are largely useless, and are killed soon after birth for veal and other meat products. Male chicks are also

largely useless to the egg industry and are routinely killed soon after birth. In both industries, females are killed when their egg or milk production declines – they are killed many years before they would die from natural causes, if they were free from exploitation and slaugh-ter. These practices are commonplace and occur across the board, including “humane”, “free-range”, “cage-free”, and “organic” products.

But don’t We need aniMaL produCtS?Whether or not we had some necessity to consume animal products in the past, the evidence is clear that we do not need these products now. Respected mainstream health organisations such as Dietitians of Canada and the American Dietetic Association recognise that well-planned vegan diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, appropriate for individuals during all stages of life and in fact can provide many health benefits. Growing numbers of healthy vegans from all walks of life, including elite athletes, are further proof we can easily obtain all our required nutrients without animal products.By adopting a vegan lifestyle free of animal products, you can stop participating in the slaughter and exploitation of animals right now. Veganism is easier than ever, with an expanding variety of products and businesses catering for vegans, and professional advice, recipes and other support available to help with the transition. If you are against animal cruelty and suffering, veganism puts your beliefs into action.