Time to End the Cage Age, a ban on cages for farmed animals receives overwhelming support at EU Parliament hearing

ON 15 April 2021, the European Parliament held a 3 hour public hearing on the End the Cage Age European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), which was warmly welcomed by the 3 European Commissioners present during the debate. A large number of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) made interventions and, overall, the ECI received overwhelming support.

The End the Cage Age ECI calls on the EU to phase out the use of cages in animal farming. This public hearing has be hailed as a milestone for the ECI, in the run up to the official response from the European Commission, that is expected in the next few months.

"The EU claims to be a leader in animal welfare, yet every year it condemns more than 300 million farmed animals to lives of misery in cramped cages. This medieval practice is cruel and completely unnecessary since viable cage free systems not only exist, but are also in use in some parts of the EU. A number of pioneering member states and businesses have led the way in ditching cages. Now it is time for the rest of the EU to catch up. In line with the ambitions of the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy, we call on the European Commission to propose a phase out of cages, in farming, through a revision of the 1998 Directive on the protection of farmed animals." said Olga Kikou, Head of Compassion in World Farming EU and one of the citizens leading the End the Cage Age ECI.

Norbert Lins, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (Group of the European People's Party, Germany) concluded at the hearing that:- "most speakers welcomed this initiative" and noted that:- "the ball is now in the Commission's court."

Before the hearing, on 13 April, EU citizens and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) rallied behind the End the Cage Age ECI Initiative on Twitter, encouraging MEPs to support the ECI during the public hearing. A total of 35,000 tweets were sent, reaching a potential number of more than 3.7 million views, making public support for the ECI undeniable.

The End the Cage Age ECI launched, on 11 September 2018, and closed exactly a year later. With 1.4 million verified signatures from citizens across the EU, it became the 1st successful ECI in farmed animal welfare.

Should the UK Government follow?

Traffic Bulletin - Junction and Motorway closures for M6 concrete pour

DRIVERS are being reminded the M6, at Knutsford in Cheshire, will be affected by a 2nd weekend of Junction and Motorway closures from Friday, 16 April 2021, for work to finish pouring the concrete for a new bridge through the Roundabout, at Junction 19.

The details for the Friday to Sunday closures are as follows:-

► From 8pm, on Friday, 16 April 2021 to 6am, Saturday, 17 April 2021, will see the closure of Junction 19, but with the M6 remaining open (occasional lane closures in place). Drivers will be unable to leave or join the Motorway, at Junction 19 and there will be no access to or from the A556 via the Junction Roundabout.

► 6am to 8pm, Saturday, 17 April 2021, on the Motorway itself will be closed at Junction 19, but a direct 'up and over' 2 lane diversion will be in place with Motorway users able to quickly leave and re-join the M6 via the Roundabout by using the Junction exit and entry slip roads. There will be no access to or from the A556 via the Junction Roundabout.

► 8pm Saturday, on 17 April to 6am, Sunday, 18 April 2021, you should expect to find the closure of Junction 19, but with the M6 remaining open (occasional lane closures in place). Drivers will be unable to leave or join the Motorway, at Junction 19 and there will be no access to or from the A556 via the Junction Roundabout.

► Throughout the work, from 8pm Friday, 16 April to 6am, on Sunday, 18 April 2021, access to the A556 Knutsford to Bowdon bypass from Junction 7 of the M56 will also be closed.

► The new bridge is set to open this summer and will provide direct links between the M6 and A556.

The 'up and over' diversion at Junction 19 worked well last weekend and back in January when the Motorway was closed for huge bridge beams to be lifted into place. However, with traffic volumes increasing as the pandemic restrictions ease and all retail outlets allowed to re-open on Monday (12 April), Highways England is advising drivers to avoid this section of the M6. Longer distance drivers heading beyond Cheshire should choose alternative Motorway routes.

More information on the project is available at:- HighwaysEngland.Co.UK/Our-Work/North-West/M6-Junction-19/.

Vaccine choice for pregnant women welcomed by Maternity Royal Colleges

THE Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have announced it will be offering pregnant women the Covid19 Vaccine, in line with the Vaccine roll out plan for the UK. This comes after the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) presented evidence to the JCVI on the impact of Covid19 for pregnant women, leading the JCVI to recommend offering Vaccination to all pregnant women in line with priority groups. This enables every pregnant woman to make an individual decision based on benefits and risks.

Up until this point, the Covid19 Vaccination has only been offered to pregnant women when their risk of exposure to the virus is high, such as health and social care workers, or if the woman has underlying conditions that place her at high risk of complications of Covid19.

Clinical trials testing the Vaccine in pregnant women are just starting, but robust real world data from the US, where around 90,000 pregnant women have been Vaccinated mainly with mRNA Vaccines, such as Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, have not raised any safety concerns. Therefore, the JCVI is advising that it is preferable for the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna mRNA Vaccines to be offered to pregnant women in the UK, where available.

Professor Lucy Chappell, consultant obstetrician and Covid19 Vaccine lead for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, commented that:- "This announcement from the JCVI brings the UK into line with the US and other countries who have been offering the Covid19 Vaccine to pregnant women since December, and should provide reassurance to pregnant women, as well as those planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, that Vaccination is an option for them. We are continuing to work with healthcare professionals so they are able to counsel pregnant women on the risks and benefits of having the Covid19 Vaccine based on their individual circumstances. We are also advocating for more data collection of pregnant women receiving the Vaccine in the UK, and welcome the work that is going on to ensure that there is recording of pregnancy status in the national Vaccination programme to enable linkage to outcomes."

Dr Mary Ross Davie, Director for Professional Midwifery and Covid19 Vaccine lead at the Royal College of Midwives, said:- "This is a sensible step by the Committee and one we welcome. It empowers pregnant women to make their own decisions about whether or not to receive the Vaccine. Ultimately it will be a woman's choice and midwives and obstetricians will be there to support them to make an informed decision that is right for them. It is now vital that the national Vaccination programme, GPs and maternity services are supported to develop systems and procedures that support women who wish to have the Vaccine to have it as easily as possible. We need to ensure that those providing counselling and information to women about the Vaccine in pregnancy have up to date accurate information and have enough time to talk through questions and concerns with women."

Dr Edward Morris, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, added:- "We are grateful to the JCVI for taking into consideration our evidence and updating the guidance around the Covid19 Vaccine in pregnancy. Vaccination offers pregnant women the best protection from Covid19, which can be serious in some women. We know pregnant women can get unwell with Covid19; 1 in 5 pregnant women who become unwell and are admitted to hospital will have a premature birth. We believe it should be a woman's choice whether to have the Vaccine or not after considering the benefits and risks and would encourage pregnant women to discuss with a trusted source like their GP, obstetrician or midwife, or a healthcare professional in a Vaccination Centre. This move will empower all the pregnant women in the UK to make the decision that is right for them, at the same time that the non pregnant population in their age group receive protection from Covid19."

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 2,596 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,383,732 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:- 34 within 28 days of positive test, according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is:- 127,225, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 150,419.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 2,291. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 329 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 204.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,830,891 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 603,225 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-
Liverpool City Region

Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions

► Liverpool, 48,351 confirmed cases.
20

► Halton, 11,920 confirmed cases. 11

► Knowsley, 17,342 confirmed cases. 19

► Sefton, 23,819 confirmed cases. 6

► St. Helens, 17,016 confirmed cases. 7

► Wirral, 24,209 confirmed cases.
4

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 100 100 to 199 200 & over

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test. Daily and cumulative numbers of Covid19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected Covid19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received Vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

32,574,221 8,931,547

Jab Stats correct as of:- 15 April 2021

The Vaccination programme began on 8 December 2020 with people receiving the Vaccine developed by Pfizer / BioNTech, and people began receiving the Oxford University / AstraZeneca Vaccine from 4 January 2021. Both Vaccine s are given as 2 doses, at lEast 21 days apart, for a full Vaccination course.