Freedom of Species

On our first show back from the summer break, we speak with Kristin Leigh of Animal Liberation Victoria about a series of vigils they have been holding at Melbourne slaughterhouses. Kristin tells us about why ALV has been doing this activism, what they have witnessed and what happened when dozens of police showed up to one of their recent peaceful vigils.

For many, the goodwill of sharing a meal at Christmas often camouflages animal cruelty when it comes to pigs in the food production system. For activists, there is much opportunity to speak up for these individuals this festive season. Today we speak with Lisa Ryan, a  campaigner busy trying to stop an intensive pig factory farm intended to hold 22,000 pigs being built in Harden NSW.  Fore more info: https://www.facebook.com/Say-No-To-Blantyre-Farms-In-Harden-108958142816434/http://www.aussiepigs.com

Josh Agland - Where time is money and compassion is a cost. Ex-industry insider who worked in an abattoir for 3 years explored the realities of a modern slaughterhouse, and the effect they have on animals, workers and the surrounding community.

We speak with Lawrence Pope, a successful Melbourne campaigner for over two decades for bats, cats, dogs and horses.

Our guest is Mae Lee Sun, editor of the comprehensive " Wild Horse Journal ". We'll be talking about  many issues surrounding wild horses in Australia including the Snowy brumby management plan designed to reduce the brumby population from 6000 to 600. It's not too late to voice your support for the Snowy brumbies! Please, PLEASE follow the link on how to: http://australianbrumbyalliance.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/How-to...

The introduction of the Australian brushtail possum to New Zealand for the fur industry has resulted in a highly successful population of approximately 30 million.  We speak with Hans Kriek of SAFE New Zealand about the broad context of the issue, including the possum's entrenched demonisation in NZ society.  We also hear from Nicholas Holm of Massey University about how the possum takes the blame for the ongoing degradation of the NZ environment by the #1 predator and pest species  -  the human.  SAFE New Zealand:  http://safe.org.nz

Today's Freedom Of Species show features Alexandra Sedgwick, animal activist, former science student at Deakin University and founder of Cruelty Free Labs Australia. Alexandra discusses what led her to start the organisation, and where to next for her and CFLA. If you would like to contact Alexandra, go to the Facebook page Cruelty Free labs Australia Inc.

This week, the FOS team will be joined in the studio by our friend Justine Curatolo who has recently returned from volunteering in Zimbabwe with the International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF).International Anti-Poaching Foundation: http://www.iapf.org Justine's fundraising page: https://www.gofundme.com/2nn97q2s

Last April, we recorded the fantastic talk given by Dr Michael Klaper at Melbourne's Astor Theatre, an event hosted by Animal Liberation Victoria. Dr Klaper is an acclaimed doctor, dedicated environmentalist, and passionate educator. He has been a champion of the vegan diet since the early 1980s, recognising the devastating impacts that animal agriculture has on human and planetary health and, of course, on animals. Dr Klaper had a brief but memorable appearance in the documentaryCowspiracy where he uttered the now oft-quoted line “The purpose of cow’s milk is to turn a 65-pound calf into a 700-pound cow as rapidly as possible. Cow’s milk is baby calf growth fluid.”  We'll share the first part of this warm and wonderful presentation.Dr Klaper's website:  www.doctorklaper.com

We chat with many illuminating minds about dairy cows, including Elise Desaulniers, the author of "Cash Cow - Ten Myths about the Dairy Industry".Why is China encouraging the consumption of dairy whilst at the same time discouraging meat consumption in the latest dietary guidelines?   We also chat with Mia Macdonald from Brighter Green, a public policy action tank that works to raise awareness of issues that span the environment, animals & sustainability, and with Wanqing Zhou from the Worldwatch Institute about dairy in China. For more information about dairy cows in Australia:Cow Truth- Animal Liberation Victoria:http://www.alv.org.au/cow-truth/Voiceless Animal Protection:https://www.voiceless.org.au/the-issues/dairy-cowsAnimals Australia:http://www.animalsaustralia.org/factsheets/dairy_cows.php