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Ducks Out of Water
All the UK's supermarkets sell factory farmed ducks -
the only exception is Waitrose which now only sells
'free-range' ducks that now have access to water for swimming (although
flock sizes of up to 4,000 show that this is still intensive
farming). Viva! has video footage
from all the main suppliers the main British supermarkets
showing appalling conditions. The following letter is only a
suggestion - please feel free to adapt it and add your own
comments (or phone instead).
For a list of contact details for supermarkets click
here.
Name
Address
Dear
Im appalled to discover that factory farmed duck
meat is on sale at your supermarket and urge you to withdraw
it from sale.
Farmed ducks retain many of the biological characteristics
of their wild ancestors and yet they are kept in their thousands
in huge sheds.
According to the Council of Europe legislation (European
Convention for the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming
Purposes), ratified by the UK government in June 1999, selective
breeding for meat production has meant that ducks may
be unable to fly, have difficulty in walking and are subject
to leg disorders. In crowded farm conditions, some birds
are knocked over onto their backs and are unable to right
themselves. One major producer boast that on their farms,
only one person will look after as many as 85,000 ducks -
an impossible task. Sick or injured birds may be left to die
- as witnessed by Viva! on a visit to a UK duck unit.
The Convention states that ducks are "largely aquatic"
and that "all breeds retain many biological characteristics
of their wild ancestors" - and that farmed ducks should
be allowed the fulfillment of essential biological requirements,
in particular in respect of water... Clearly, UK duck
farms are breaking the law and your supermarket is supporting
this breach by stocking the meat. For example, these aquatic
birds will never have the opportunity to swim in water. This
deprivation is morally reprehensible and Im disgusted
that you allow it.
At slaughter, ducks are hung upside down on a conveyor
belt before having their heads dipped in an electrical waterbath.
The Scientific Veterinary Committee of the EU are concerned
that many ducks are not properly stunned and are therefore
knifed whilst fully conscious.
Please do not be a part of this cruelty by selling duck
meat. I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely
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