• About
  • Archive
  • Contact
The Greening of Gavin
  • Home
  • Our Green Shop
    • Little Green Workshops
  • Green Workshops
    • Cheese Making
    • Soap Making
    • Soy Candle Making
  • eBooks
    • Clay Oven eBook
    • Keep Calm and Make Cheese eBook
  • Podcast
    • TGOG Podcast
    • TGoG Podcast Archive
    • Little Green Cheese
  • Vlog
  • Cheese
  • Green Living
    • Chickens
    • Gardening
    • Soap Making
    • Recipes
    • Climate Change
    • Peak Oil
    • Solar Power
  • Resources

Voiceless

February 20, 2012 @ 21:24 By Gavin Webber 6 Comments

My chickens have no voice, but I know that they are happy because I treat them kindly and with respect.  I love my chickens, and everything they do in return for me.  They are well kept, have space to free-range amongst the garden beds (when empty), and they provide our family with entertainment and an abundance of healthy eggs!

I have been quiet on the subject of factory farmed animals for quite a while, and learnt a few facts yesterday at the Sustainable Living Festival, so it is time to break the silence.

Voiceless Australia have launched a campaign highlighting the conditions that factory farmed pigs and chickens are kept in around the country.  I support them 100%, and believe that we are way behind European Union standards for animal cruelty laws.  As Hugo Weaving (ambassador for Voiceless) says, “If I treated a dog the way pigs and chickens are treated on these farms, I’d likely be prosecuted”.

These animals are treated like objects, and without respect and dignity.  Having watched pigs as a kid on our dairy farm, it does not surprise me that it has been found that they have the intellect of a 3 year old human child, and as for chickens, they each have their own personality and social structure.

So pleased be warned that these two following TV ads may disturb some readers, but they are factual.  I personally don’t think they are hard hitting enough, but they certainly do get the point across.

 



Now I am not asking you to stop eating pork and chicken, but just take the time to think of where that cut of meat comes from when you buy it at the supermarket.  Most of all, by being aware of where our food comes from, we can make better choices, and advocate cruelty free products.  

So lets speak up so that we end these cruel factory farming practices in Australia, and indeed the world.

-29.5328037145.491477

Will this article help someone you know? If so help them out by sharing now!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: activisim, Animals, Chickens, Media

← SLF Fun in the Sun Chicken Intelligence →

About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. Frugal Queen says

    February 20, 2012 at 23:29

    Australia’s economy of scale and size of the country means a lot of your animals are transported live for days. Also, non native animals such as sheep are badly treated to stop blow fly, which they wouldn’t get so badly if they were not in an inhospitable environment. We boycott all Australian wool products because of this. Here, I can see small scale farms and very few farmers have big factory farms. Outdoor pork is not much more (i know I’ve just started buying it) and free range hens are less than a quid more. my big concern is the sweatshops that workers endure making clothes, so I go to charity shops as i’m not funding that racket any more either – i’ll be naked and hungry at this rate! love froogsxx

    Reply
  2. Theanne says

    February 21, 2012 at 00:07

    Thank you for reminding me of the horrendous conditions that most animals here in the states also have to endure before they’re eaten! I have given up meat…this is one of the reasons!

    Reply
  3. Curvywitch says

    February 21, 2012 at 05:10

    Hi Gavin,

    thanks for that – thought provoking and horrific – another timely reminder of how mindful we have to be of where our food comes from and how it arrives on the plate. Let’s not beat around the bush here, we’re omnivores and kill animals for food – it is beholden on us to treat our prey with respect.

    Reply
  4. Tracey says

    February 21, 2012 at 07:30

    This is an issue very much on my mind, especially since two recent instances of extreme cruelty were revealed in Australian abattoirs, one in Victoria and one in NSW.

    The Victorian abattoir was one used by a number of small producers who sell at some of the farmers markets I frequent. There was a statement posted on the market website distancing the producers and the abattoir owner (who has been in business for many years) from the abattoir worker’s actions, which frankly made me uncomfortable.

    I do feel that a business owner has responsibility for ensuring their employees follow all applicable laws and guidelines – including those to do with animal welfare. In my mind the owner failed to meet his responsibilities. But how much responsibility does the meat producer have, when marketing their product as ethically produced? How much responsibility do I have as a consumer to make sure that both the producer and the processor are living up to their claims? I’d love to be in a position to raise and slaughter my own animals but at this point in time that’s not possible.

    CCTV cameras in abattoirs, with footage available to whoever requests it might be one part of the answer. Regular farm visits open to the general public could be another, but that has issues around insurance/liability, as a working farm can be a hazardous environment. Also farmers are often busy enough without running weekly guided tours.

    I’d be interested to hear other people’s thoughts, and how they deal with this issue.

    Reply
  5. farmer_liz says

    February 21, 2012 at 18:13

    This is one of the reasons that we decided to raise our own animals and kill them here on our property. That way we know how they have lived, including feed and chemicals used, and how they died. The thought of chickens and pigs confined to tiny pens makes me sick. I even hate seeing a cattle truck loaded with bewildered looking cattle, I imagine my own beasts on that truck and I would never want them to have that experience. We raise them to eat, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t care about them. If you can’t raise your own, at least try to buy from ethical farmers. If you can’t afford ethical meat for every meal, you can eat more veges! There’s no excuse for treating animals as if they were objects. I liked Frugal Queen’s comment about sweat shops too, that is a very good point and a good idea to stick to op shops, even when I sew my own clothes, you can be sure that the fabric came from a sweat shop too, its impossible!

    Reply
  6. Tracey says

    February 22, 2012 at 07:19

    I only buy my meat direct from the farmers at a local farmer’s market, all from small producers, claimed to be free-range and ethically raised. But as mentioned above, it’s come to my attention that some of those meat producers were using the services of an abattoir where a worker was found guilty of serious cruelty. So relying on the producer’s word that meat animals were ethically treated is not enough to make sure it really is true throughout the whole process.

    For the vast majority of us who don’t have enough land to rear our own meat, more needs to be done – I think greater transparency is needed in all aspects of meat production, from on-farm conditions to transport to how the animal is slaughtered.

    Reply

Comments build lively communities. Let me know your thoughts, but keep it clean and green! Spam is removed instantly. Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search This Blog

Follow my work

About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

Delve Into the Archives

Visit Our Online Simple Living Shop

Little Green Workshops

Latest Podcast Episode

Subscribe on iTunes

Top Posts & Pages

The Seven Stages Of Change
Strawbridge Family Inspiration
How To Remove Scaly Leg Mites
Building a VegTrug or Two
How To Regrow Spring Onions
Contact
Building a Wicking Bed on Concrete
All Good Things Come to an End
Cob Oven Base Part 2
Clay Oven First Layer

Recent Awards

Recent Awards

Local Green Hero

Categories

Favourite Daily Reads

Debt Free, Cashed Up, and Laughing

The Off-Grid Solar House

Greener Me

The Rogue Ginger

Little Eco Footprints

Down To Earth

Surviving the Suburbs

Little Green Cheese

Eight Acres

The Witches Kitchen

TGOG Readers On-line

Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

Carbon Offset website

Copyright - Gavin Webber © 2023