(01/05/2002) Viva! Announces National March and Rally Against Factory Farming With Launch of new
Guide
Viva! is linking up with major animal and environmental groups to stage a massive
rally, march and festival against factory farming in London on Saturday 13 July. To mark this
announcement, the animal welfare group is launching a new guide, Stop
Bugging Me, which reveals how almost all food poisoning originates from
animal agriculture and foods. It shows how problems have worsened since
the advent of intensive factory farming and explains how meat eaters are
at risk of contracting a catalogue of disorders from diarrhoea, abdominal
pain and exhaustion to stillbirths, enteritis and meningitis.
According to the government, a staggering 9.5 million people in the UK get food poisoning each
year, at a cost of £750 million to the National Health Service. A massive 95% of all food poisoning cases are caused by eating animal
products. Food poisoning bacteria include; Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria
monocytogens, E. coli, Bacillus cereus, Slostridium butolinum, Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus.
Says Viva! Campaigner Kat Macmillan, "Meat is the main culprit for food poisoning because bugs love
it! Bacteria can multiply extremely rapidly given the opportunity and meat,
cheese, eggs and milk all provide the ideal environment for bacterial
growth. Infection can occur in the food the animals eat, on the farms where they live, at the
slaughterhouse, at the butchers, in the restaurant and even in the home".
Factory farming is at the root of the problem of food poisoning. Intensive farming involves crowding as many animals as possible into a limited space - making infection
unavoidable. Bacteria and viruses thrive in this environment and can infect large numbers of animals within a very short time.
Also, poor ventilation in buildings means that airborne bacteria spread
easily. Antibiotics have been overused by farmers to try to combat disease and to promote the growth of
animals. This has lead to bacteria becoming resistant to the drugs so that when the same drugs are used to treat
humans, they no longer work.
Ms Macmillan concludes, "Dangerous diseases are spreading like
wildfire on factory farms. Over the past decade, we’ve seen BSE, swine
fever, the creation of antibiotic-resistant strains of salmonella and
E.Coli and foot-and-mouth. If we don’t act now to end factory farming, it
may well end us. In the face of political apathy, it’s up to individuals
to take action. Our 13 July march and rally will create a force for change
that cannot be ignored".
For more information contact Kat Macmillan or Tony Wardle at Viva! on: 01273 777688.
Stop Bugging Me costs just £1.00 and is available direct from Viva!, 12 Queen Square, Brighton BN1 3FD. Call 01273 777688.
On Saturday 13 July campaigners will be meeting at Kennington Park at noon for speeches and will then march to Trafalger Square. The event is sponsored by Viva!,
CIWF, FAWN, PETA and the Green Party and supported by Animal Aid, Advocates for
Animals, Care for the Wild Defense Fund, the Jewish Vegetarian Society, the League against Cruel Sports, the Vegan Society, Uncaged Campaigns and the Young Indian
Vegetarians.
Viva!
Vegetarians International Voice for Animals
12 Queen Square, Brighton BN1 3FD, UK
Tel: 01273 777688 Fax: 01273 776755 www.viva.org.uk
(02/05/2002) Burger King Uncowed
OAKLAND -- The addition of a vegetarian option to Burger King's sandwich menu last month was greeted with a rousing cheer by a one-time nemesis of the fast-food
giant. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which only last year engaged in a heated
(and ultimately successful) effort to get the company to hold its meat suppliers accountable to basic animal welfare standards, had high praise for the "BK
Veggie." "The new veggie burger is sure to both raise Burger King's revenues and lower
Americans' cholesterol levels," said Bruce Friedrich, PETA's national campaign
coordinator. "[It's] a winning proposition for animals, people and the
planet. We hope everyone will give the veggie burger a royal welcome."
www.latimes.com
(Notice) Food For All Our Futures
The 35th Vegetarian World Congress (8-14 July, 2002) ‘Food For All Our Futures’
is going to take place in Scotland. More information regarding this very
special event is offered in the article below. Reservations are going well
(some room options and tours are already fully booked) so if you haven't
booked yet see
here - soon!
Additional information: Cooking up a Storm at Congress
Throughout the week there will be a dedicated cookery theatre with
sessions from our own Cordon Vert school and many guest chefs. Linda Ward
will be covering a total of 8 sessions over the week, ably assisted by our
experienced placement, Charlotte. Guest Chef Gerry Coffey from the USA
will focus on Awesome Rawsome Desserts and a further American slant will
be provided by Dilip Barman. Peter Wright from Sweden will be
demonstrating a double session on the flavours of Sweden and our renowned
cookery writer Rose Elliott has two sessions both focussing on speed but
no lack of quality.
Finally each evening there will be entertainment ranging from the three
celtic graces (music, song and celtic harp), a world music disco, an
evening with a singing chef and a final night Ceilidh. It is possible we
may also be premiering a performance by the Animal Lover’s Project from
America and there may be celtic storytelling and circle dance subject to
confirmation.
Tina Fox
Chief Executive
The Vegetarian Society email -
website
(03/05/2002) Alert From Norwegian Federation for Animal Protection
Oslo, 30th of April 2002 - The Norwegian fishery authorities will allow hunting for research purposes of 60
dolphins. Simultaneously, the authorities are willing to allow export of whale
meat. The Norwegian Federation for Animal Protection reacts spontaneously to something it sees as lack of
responsibility.
The Ministry of Fisheries will allow hunting for research on Springer
dolphins. The purpose is to find out what kind of and how much fish this species
eats.
"After years of miscalculated fishery and quota politics, the authorities use the sea mammals as scapegoats to why the fish
disappears. This is the authorities way of showing a complete lack of
responsibility", says Vice Chairman Ann-Carin Torrissen. Secretary leader Ms. Siri Relling supports Ms.
Torrissen: Whale hunting is a controversial issue. As long as the hunting methods are
inhumane, the fishery authorities encourage violation of the animal protection law. This paragraph clearly states the no animal should suffer
needlessly.
The Norwegian Federation for Animal Protection says the planned dolphin hunting is
incomprehensible, and questions the motive of the political authorities.
"Norway should leave the whale alone", says Ann-Carin Torrissen.
"Today's whaling only involves that animals suffer and die for products we do not
need."
According to the Norwegian Federation for Animal Protection whaling is animal abuse. Previous experience shows that the
whales, particular behaviour and anatomy, including the difficult hunting conditions at
sea, make it impossible to kill the animals humanely and without needless
suffering. The same methods are applied when hunting for research purposes, and hence not concurrent with the demands of human hunting stated in the law of
wildlife.
Many Norwegians find whaling just as cruel as the majority of the world’s population, and are embarrassed to be part of it. Unfortunately the
Government, lead by Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik of the Christian Democratic
Party, seems to need strong international pressure to change its politics. The Prime Minister is well known for his focus on moral values in
general, and needs to be reminded of the whaling,s ethical implications.
For further information, please contact:
Vice Chairman Ann-Carin Torrissen, cell phone +47 99 58 32 04, or Secretary leader Siri
Relling, cell phone +47 91 87 63 88, e-mail
post@dyrebeskyttelsen.no
(04/05/2002) Rare cat cafe in Penang
There is a new cafe on the island where all its guests are treated to a free lunch and dinner by the beach every
day. However, there is one catch here — it is only open to cats. Touted as the first in the country, the cat cafe in the Bayview Beach Resort in Batu Ferringhi has started “operations” late last month - thanks to the Penang Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals.
http://hoovnews.hoovers.com/
(05/05/2002) Japan: Whaling for scientific purposes? What about this article?
And now, the whaleburger.
Japan - First came the hamburger. Now, from Japan, the whaleburger
This newest contribution to world sandwich cuisine is the brainstorm of Kujiraya, or "Place of Whales", a small shop in the port city of Shimonoseki, 490 miles southwest of Tokyo, and just a short taxi ride from this year's meeting of the International Whaling Commission that is discussing the controversial
industry.
www.news24.com
(06/05/2002) Campaigners urge Edinburgh Council to clean up its act on litter instead of persecuting
gulls!
Advocates for Animals, Scotland's leading animal protection organisation, advised the Capital's councillors that the best way to effectively control perceived seagull problems is by adopting a holistic and humane
strategy.
In recent years, there has been an increasing number of gulls in many coastal cities around Scotland. Perceived problems include swooping on the public, destruction of refuse bags and noisy
feeding.
Advocates will urge councillors to reject short-term 'quick fix' lethal options and instead adopt an approach that will be both successful and cost-effective in the
long-term. As a coastal city, Edinburgh will always attract gulls. The perceived problems result from two main issues: the availability of food from litter being thrown on the streets and rubbish bags being left out
overnight; and the number of nesting sites available within and around the capital. Advocates is urging the Council to address the city's growing litter problem whilst adopting and promoting affordable
anti-nesting devices. It is hoped that similar humane strategies can be developed for other councils across the country with perceived seagull
problems.
Yvonne Taylor of Advocates for Animals said: "It is widely agreed that the lethal control of gulls is not only
inhumane, but also ineffective in the long term. Advocates for Animals urges the council not to flush taxpayers money down the drain. Instead it should implement a
co-ordinated and humane approach to any perceived gull problems. This should focus on tackling the main issues of food supply and nesting site
availability. It's time to stop persecuting urban wildlife for our own bad habits."
(07/05/2002) Focus-Swiss army horse units plough on
MONTE BAR, Switzerland (Reuters) - Members of the army unit training on a rocky plateau in the Swiss Alps are
tough, able to move day or night through any terrain, and pay no heed to the
weather. There is only one problem -- at least for the people in charge of Swiss defence planning -- they are
horses. The low-tech factor makes them targets for post-Cold War spending cuts despite the pictures from Afghanistan of mounted U.S. special forces using pack animals to carry equipment into battle against Islamic militants.
www2.swissinfo.org/
(08/05/2002) Dog Killing in China
SHANGHAI, China (AP) — Police in China's largest city are cracking
down on a new breed of criminal — unlicensed dogs.
Starting Wednesday, all dogs found in Shanghai without city-issued
tags will be destroyed, said police spokeswoman Fang Dinghua. First to be
killed will be the 7,100 unclaimed dogs already impounded by the police
animal-control unit.
"Except for a few famous breeds, which will be relocated if they are in good
health, the rest of those captured will all be killed," Fang said. She would not say how the dogs would be
destroyed.
[Link]
(09/05/2002) Animal abuse committed by members of a Wake Forest University fraternity
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Members of a Wake Forest University
fraternity were charged with animal cruelty and abandonment after a drunk,
dehydrated and sunburned pig was found unconscious in a park.
Wake Forest spokesman Kevin Cox said the university's dean of students
is investigating and could impose fines or suspensions against the
fraternity.
The 23 members of Sigma Phi Epsilon could be sentenced to 90 days in jail if convicted on a misdemeanor such as animal
cruelty.
(10/05/2002) Ocean Alliance - Key player in the creation of Marine Mammal Sanctuary in Papua New Guinea
May 2, 2002 The Ocean Alliance (OA) is pleased to announce that the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
(PNG) Rt Hon Sir Mekere Morauta has designated its Exclusive Economic Zone a Marine Mammal
Sanctuary.
"My Government certainly appreciates the valuable research work being undertaken by the National
Museum, together with various international and home-based research and conservation
organizations, such as Ocean Alliance. The knowledge being gained is extremely valuable for Papua New
Guinea, and the world community" said Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Rt on Sir Mekere
Morauta, Kt MP.
"Everything that is happening with regard to a New Guinea whale sanctuary and conservation of cetaceans in this region is directly stemming from the Voyage of the Odyssey
[research program of the Ocean Alliance] in PNG waters and the great enthusiasm and work put in by the Ocean Alliance, and the time you all have spent working on conservation policy in Port
Moresby and far a field (or at sea)" commented Frank Bonaccorso, Chief
Curator, National Museum and Art Gallery.
Ocean Alliance began its research in Papua New Guinean waters in February of 2001 where it then spent six
months: a total of six survey expeditions, more than 350 sperm whale
sightings, 84 sightings of other whales and a total of 15 different marine mammal species
identified. Prior to leaving PNG the OA along with the national Museum and the US Embassy held the first ever Marine Mammal Forum in PNG lead by OA Chief Scientist Dr. Celine Godard. Following is an excerpt from her statement at the 2002 PNG Marine Mammal Forum: "Ocean Alliance is very proud to have had the opportunity to share some of our knowledge in marine mammal science and expertise in environmental toxicology with
PNG. We remain deeply committed to the Forum and PNG in general and will continue to offer our assistance in any way we
can".
The Ocean Alliance is dedicated to the conservation of whales and their ocean environment through research and
education. For more information about Ocean Alliance and the Voyage of the
Odyssey, please visit
www.pbs.org/odyssey and
www.oceanalliance.org. Please contact Ocean Alliance Vice-President Iain Kerr at 781.259.0423 if you have any further questions.
Ocean Alliance/Whale Conservation Institute – 2 May, 2002
191 Weston Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 www.pbs.org/odyssey
(11/05/2002) Compassion in World Farming Limited -
Wednesday, 8 May 2002
MARKS & SPENCER WINS FIRST COMPASSIONATE SUPERMARKET OF THE YEAR AWARD
First comprehensive audit of British supermarkets on ethical practices
Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) today presented the first annual "Compassionate Supermarket of the
Year" award to Marks & Spencer at an awards ceremony in London. CIWF has spent several months working with the ten leading supermarkets and evaluating them on more than 100 different animal welfare
measures. This has lead to a comprehensive report covering all areas of animal welfare and a ranking system for the
supermarkets. The top five supermarkets in the country were deemed to be:
1. Marks & Spencer 40 (out of 55)
2. Waitrose 38
3. Safeway 29
4. Co-operative Group 28
5. Tesco 24
The performance indicators against which the supermarkets were judged included the proportion of free-range and organic produce
sold, commitments to reducing animal transportation times and policies against genetic engineering.
Presenting the award, Audrey Eyton (author of "The Kind Food Guide" and
"The F-Plan Diet") said "Consumers are increasingly concerned about the way in which farm animals are
treated. With most of the nation's food shopping now taking place in
supermarkets, the multiple retailers have become the main link between the farm and the food we put into our
shopping baskets".
Receiving the award on behalf of Marks & Spencer was Justin King, Business Unit
Director, who responded "Today's award clearly demonstrates our commitment to animal welfare issues. Marks & Spencer only works with farmers who share our attitude and
approach. Maintaining our unique standards and seeking further improvement in animal welfare is an ongoing task however, but one we are firmly committed to".
CIWF today also published the complete results of their audit in a major new report
"Supermarkets - Raising the Standards". This report highlights a complete range of measures which CIWF believes are vital to improve the welfare of farm
animals.
Gary Reese, Senior Campaigns Manager for Compassion in World Farming, said, "Marks and Spencer are a worthy winner of this first award and we congratulate them on the efforts. We must also thank all the other supermarkets for their
co-operation in putting together this audit. By repeating the survey on an annual
basis, CIWF aims to track progress and commitment to these standards in order to improve the lives of all farm
animals".
A team of European and American researchers compared gene activity in the
brains, liver and blood of chimpanzees and humans. They found that the two share about 98.7 per cent of the same genes and have very similar body
tissues. But human brains have about five times more genetic activity, according to the study appearing on Friday in the journal Science.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
(13/05/2002) The net design that aims to save dolphins
THE deaths of hundreds of dolphins will be avoided if trials of a revolutionary new fishing net prove successful. Scottish scientists have designed a net which allows fish to enter but forces the much larger dolphins towards an ‘escape hatch’ and freedom. Many of the animals die when they chase fish into nets and become tangled in the mesh. Hundreds of corpses with clear signs of net damage are washed up every year on the south-west coast of England and France.
http://news.scotsman.com
(14/05/2002) Biting the hand that saves you
Frank Urquhart
SURROUNDED by 60ft deep water and trapped on a slippery ledge, you
would expect a trapped moggy to show some gratitude.
But a police diver was left nursing a badly bitten hand yesterday
after a marooned cat he tried to rescue bit him just as he was captured.
The diver crawled through a barrier of razor wire, climbed 30ft into a
water-filled hole and battled for almost an hour to rescue the young cat,
stuck in the middle of a disused gas storage tank.
The ungrateful moggy turned on his would-be saviour, Sergeant Alan Keith, a member of the Grampian Police diving team, after a rescue operation was mounted at the former gasometer site in Merkland Lane, next to Pittodrie Stadium, in Aberdeen.
news.scotsman.com/
(15/05/2002) Outrage at Spanish treatment of man's best friend
By Amanda Brown, London, April 30 2002
Thousands of greyhounds are hanged each year in Spain after the end of the hare coursing season, an international animal charity revealed yesterday. The practice was discovered by the World Society for the Protection of Animals after an investigation in Spain, which at present holds the EU presidency. The inquiry took place in the Castilla y Leon and Castilla la Mancha regions last month, with the help of Sociedad Protectora de Animales. It found widespread evidence that the age-old tradition continues.
www.theage.com.au
(16/05/2002) Annette Crosbie backs campaign against new
scottish greyhound stadium
Scottish actress Annette Crosby has today added her voice to animal campaigners' calls for a halt to a proposed new greyhound racing stadium in East Lothian, Scotland.
Advocates for Animals, Scotland's leading animal protection organisation, is leading the opposition to the application for planning permission for the new stadium which has been lodged with East Lothian Council. The campaign is also backed by various greyhound charities, which have to deal with cruelty cases associated with the greyhound racing industry.
The planned eight-track stadium includes housing for up to 120 dogs and would be the largest in the UK. East Lothian has not had an official greyhound track for some years, with previous stadiums closing as a result of falling visitor numbers.
Animal campaigners are concerned that Scotland will become a dumping ground for injured and unwanted dogs once their racing days are over. It has been estimated that greyhounds running on British tracks sustain more than 12,000 injuries every year. In addition, tens of thousands of dogs are disposed of every year by the racing industry, either because they fail to make the grade as racers or because their racing days are over. The average age of these dogs will be only about 3 years. Many of these dogs suffer cruel fates. A new stadium in East Lothian will only add to these problems.
Ms Crosbie, star of TV hit One Foot in the Grave, said: "Only a fraction of ex-racers are re-housed. The lucky ones are put down by vets - others are chucked off a pier with a brick round their necks. The dogs are exploited and nobody gives a damn what happens to them. In the interests of animal welfare and the reputation of East Lothian, I urge East Lothian council to reject this proposed greyhound stadium."
Advocates for Animals' Campaigns Director, Ross Minett said: "Greyhound racing is associated with a bygone age of 'decent working-class people wearing cloth caps'. However, today's greyhound racing industry is big business, with a small number of individuals making large amounts of money out of exploiting animal suffering. If this stadium was to get the go-ahead, it would be an animal welfare disaster for Scotland. We could become a dumping ground for unwanted and injured dogs once their racing days are over."
12 May 2002
For further information contact Advocates for Animals on: 0131 225 6039. Out
of hours on: 07946 517 585
ROSS MINETT
Campaigns Director
Advocates for Animals
10 Queensferry Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH2 4PG
Tel: +44 (0)131 225 6039 Fax: +44 (0)131 220 6377 www.advocatesforanimals.org.uk
(17/05/2002) Mercury on the menu!
With both the 2002 Football World Cup and the 54th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission
(IWC) kicking off in Japan later this month, WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, is warning
footballers, fans and delegates travelling to Japan not to eat any whale meat offered by their hosts – because it could be seriously
contaminated!
Since 1999, WDCS has been investigating the levels of contaminants in whale
meat sold for human consumption in Japan. The results are frightening. Almost one half of samples tested contained at least one contaminant
(such
as mercury or DDT) in excess of the maximum advisory level set for human consumption in
Japan. One sample tested by Japanese toxicologists contained over 600 times the Japanese advisory limit for mercury – enough to cause
acute mercury poisoning!
Although Japanese law forbids the sale of contaminated and mislabelled
food, the government does not appear to enforce these laws in respect of whale
meat. In fact, as the government of Japan prepares to host two important international gatherings this
summer, it is actually promoting the consumption of whale meat - including offering whale burgers to school
children.
To warn Japanese consumers and visitors to Japan of the risks of eating whale meat - as well as the conservation and welfare issues associated with
Japanese hunts - WDCS has created an imaginary whale burger. While the box
is a mock-up, the ingredients listed on the side are real – taken from recent studies in
Japan.
The burger draws attention not only to the levels of toxins in whale meat,
but also to the fact that consumers cannot really be sure what species they
are eating. WDCS' studies suggest that almost one third of whale meat products sold in Japan are mislabelled – either containing a different
species to the one advertised, or with several species mixed together.
Sue Fisher, Campaigns Manager at WDCS, explains. "Japanese fishermen kill
tens of thousands of dolphins and small whales each year in Japanese coastal
waters. These species tend to have higher contaminant burdens than the larger
species, like minke whales, that are hunted in Japan's so-called Scientific Whaling Programmes. Presumably because they are much cheaper to
obtain, dolphins are often substituted for, or mixed with, minkes and sold
as 'whale'. So, not only are these dolphin hunts cruel and unsustainable, but they also raise serious health issues – both for the animals concerned
and their unwitting consumers".
In the Northern European Faroe Islands, where small whales are eaten, serious developmental problems in children have been attributed to their
mothers' consumption of contaminated whale products. WDCS hopes that its whale burger will help make consumers and football fans stop and think
before they eat whale products.
WDCS will attend the IWC meeting in Japan between 13 and 25 May to work on
this and many other conservation and welfare issues including new threats to
the ban on commercial whaling.
For more information read the enclosed press pack. For daily updates from the meeting, visit WDCS's whaling website –
www.sea-red.org
To arrange interviews, please contact Jo Smith, Campaigns Assistant: 01249
449516 or Victoria Reinthal: Communications Officer: 01249 449514 (mob) 07787 516 635
Source:
WDCSwww.wdcs.org/
See also:
Cetacean Freedom Network's Worldwide List of Dead Captive Cetaceans www.captivitystinks.org
(18/05/2002) Hybrid tests limits of patenting humans
By Aaron Zitner / Los Angeles Times
WASHINGTON -A request to patent something called a "humouse" - a creature that's part
human, part mouse - is putting the U.S. Patent Office on the spot in the heated debate over scientific experiments and public policy involving human life.
Today a proposal by New York medical school professor Stuart Newman is before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which is in the final stages of deciding whether he can patent his
idea. Win or lose, the result could be exactly what the humouse was designed to
accomplish: prodding Congress and the courts to place new limits on manipulating and patenting human life.www.detnews.com/2002/
(19/05/2002) Germany has become the first European
nation to vote to guarantee animal rights in its constitution
A majority of lawmakers in the Bundestag voted on Friday to add "and
animals" to a clause that obliges the state to respect and protect the
dignity of humans.
The main impact of the measure will be to restrict the use of animals in
experiments.
In the end 543 lawmakers in Germany's lower house of parliament voted in favour of giving animals constitutional
rights. Nineteen voted against it and 15 abstained.
The vote is expected to be approved by the Bundesrat upper house this
summer.
Article 20a of the German Basic Law will then read: "The state takes responsibility for protecting the natural foundations of life and animals in
the interest of future generations."
The issue had been keenly debated among German politicians for almost 10
years.
Animals in Germany already are protected through legislation defining the conditions in which they can be held in captivity, but activists claimed it
did not go far enough to control the use of animals in research.
With the new measure, the federal constitutional court will have to weigh
animals' rights against other entrenched rights, like those to conduct research or practice religion. This could translate bring tighter
restrictions on the use of animals for testing cosmetics or nonprescription
drugs.
Consumer Affairs Minister Renate Kunast, a member of the environmentalist Greens party that has lobbied for many years to bring animal rights into the
constitution, welcomed the change as groundbreaking, but emphasised it would
not diminish human rights.
"People remain the most important," Kunast said.
Conservative parliament members had previously opposed the constitutional changes, arguing that it could put the interests of animals before those of
humans and be particularly damaging to Germany's research industry.
Animal rights activists say they will use the constitutional changes to try
and end to what they say are unduly long transport routes for animals.
Lawmakers said the government will also look at targeting more research funding to projects that seek alternatives to using animals for conducting
experiments.
(20/05/2002) European Vegetarian Union - Press Statement -
19 may 2002
Germany: A Commendable Step Towards Better Animal Protection
The two hundred organisations and individual members of the European Vegetarian Union enthusiastically welcome the fact that the first EU nation
will guarantee rights for animals in its constitution. After almost ten years of debate, on 17 May 2002 the German Parliament decided with
overwhelming unity in the interest of better animal protection. After this
vote will have been approved by the Bundesrat (upper house), it is liable to
change the scenario in all fields of animal "use". Article 20a of the German
Basic Law will then read: "The state takes responsibility for protecting the
natural foundations of life and animals in the interest of future
generations."
The fact that this information spread like wild-fire through the international media shows the enormous general interest just as clearly as
the obvious readiness of people everywhere for a more humane approach towards animals and nature. All EVU members from more than 30 countries are
convinced that this historical decision will set an example. They hope that
other countries to follow suit soon and by that build the base for a better
way ahead.
In Germany all animals are liable to receive better protection in the future. Not only regulations regarding animal experiments will be affected
but the conditions for animals in general, including those bred exclusively
for slaughter, will have to be re-assessed. However, vegetarians want to go
an important step further by promoting a diet without meat altogether. Such
a lifestyle is not only caring towards animals and the environment but it also brings about undisputable health blessings and opens ways to use
available food resources more efficiently - for the benefit of all.
European Vegetarian Union
- Press Statement - 19 may 2002
Eine historische Abstimmung für Tiere
Mit Begeisterung begrüssen die zweihundert Organisationen und
Einzelmitglieder der Europäischen Vegetarier Union die Tatsache, dass die
erste EU Nation nun auch Tieren Rechte in ihrem Grundgesetz einräumt. Nach
fast zehnjährigen Debatten hat der deutsche Bundestag am 17. Mai 2002 mit
überwältigender Mehrheit für eine Änderung des Textes und damit für einen
besseren Schutz von Tieren gestimmt. Wenn dieser Beschluss vom Bundesrat im
Sommer bestätigt wird, wird er das Szenario auf allen Gebieten des «Gebrauchs» von Tieren verändern.
Die Tatsache, dass diese Meldung wie ein Lauffeuer durch die internationale
Presse lief, zeigt eine bemerkenswerte Anteilnahme und damit ein offensichtliches Interesse von Menschen überall an mehr Humanität im Umgang
mit Tieren und der Natur. Die aus mehr als 30 Ländern stammenden EVU Mitglieder sind überzeugt, dass dieser historische Entschluss ein Beispiel
sein wird und dadurch eine Grundlage bilden kann für den gemeinsamen Bau einer besseren Zukunft.
Bald also haben Tiere in Deutschland Anspruch auf mehr Schutz. Nicht nur die
Vorschriften für Tierexperimente werden neu zu fassen sein, sondern die Lebensbedingungen für alle Tiere, einschliesslich der Schlachttiere, müssen
überprüft werden. Aber Vegetarier möchten noch einen wichtigen Schritt weiter gehen, indem sie für eine Ernährung ohne Fleisch werben. Ein solcher
Lebensstil trägt nicht nur zu konsequentem Respekt Tieren gegenüber bei,
sondern er schont auch die Umwelt, bringt positive Folgen für die Gesundheit
und öffnet Wege für eine gerechtere Verteilung verfügbarer Nahrungsreserven - zum Wohle aller.
European Vegetarian Union
- Press Statement - 19 may 2002
Allemagne : un pas important vers une meilleure protection des animaux
Les deux cents organisations et les membres individuels qui constituent
l'Union Végétarienne Européenne constatent avec enthousiasme le fait que
la première nation européenne garantira désormais dans sa constitution des
droits pour les animaux.
Ce 17 mai 2002, au terme de près de dix ans de discussions, et avec une unanimité accablante, le Parlement allemand vient en effet de se prononcer
en faveur d'une meilleure protection animale. Ce vote historique a été approuvé par le Bundesrat (Chambre supérieure) et il sera dés lors permis de
modifier dans un sens plus favorable l'usage que l'on fait des animaux en Allemagne, puisque l'article 20a de la Loi Fondamentale allemande déclare :
« L'Etat prend la responsabilité de protéger les bases normales de la vie et
des animaux dans l'intérêt de futures générations."
Le fait qu'une telle modification de la constitution suscite un tel écho dans les médias internationaux prouve à suffisance qu'il existe un intérêt
général croissant et un espoir évident partout dans le monde pour une
attitude plus humaine envers les animaux et la nature. Tous les membres d'EVU, issus de plus de 30 pays du monde, sont convaincus pour leur part que
cette décision historique restera un exemple. Ils espèrent que d'autres pays
suivront bientôt le mouvement et bâtiront les fondements d'un avenir meilleur.
Bientôt, tous les animaux seront mieux protégés en Allemagne. Les règlements
relatifs à la vivisection mais aussi les lois concernant le traitement des
animaux de boucherie devront être réévaluées. A cet égard, les végétariens
veulent encore faire un pas de plus en encourageant la pratique d'un régime
totalement sans viande. Un tel style de vie n'améliore pas seulement le sort
des animaux et l'environnement mais il bénéficie également à la santé des
êtres humains.
Tiny bumps on the face alert them to prey's slightest move
Scientists now know why it's so hard to sneak up on an alligator.
New research shows that a dense array of special sensory organs covers the animal's face, letting it detect even the smallest disturbance of the water's surface. Thus poking a toe in the pond is all it takes to get an alligator's attention
www.newsday.com/
(22/05/2002) UK warns Japan over whaling ban
Thursday, 16 May, 2002, 04:12 GMT 05:12 UK
Britain will fight Japan's attempt to overturn the worldwide ban on commercial whaling as allegations of vote-buying arise ahead of a crucial meeting next week.
http://news.bbc.co.uk
(23/05/2002) Australian Army Cashes in on Kangaroo Slaughter
Australia’s Department of Defence has authorised the shooting of 40,000 kangaroos on the Packapanyul military base sited in the outback of Central Victoria. It claims to be saving the animals from extreme suffering and starvation but a spokesperson indicated that the aim is to turn the slaughter, which began this week, into a commercial venture. Currently, Victoria does not allow commercial killing. The slaughter follows the heavy promotion of kangaroo leather by Australian embassies and high commissions and its use by sports shoe manufacturers such as Adidas, Nike and Umbro in expensive football boots. Both David Beckham and Michael Owen will have kangaroo skin on their feet during the World
Cup.
Australia has the worst wildlife record in the world and has already exterminated half of all kangaroo species. Biologist and wildlife lecturer, David Croft (University of NSW) has condemned the shoot as has TV performer, Steve ‘Crocodile Dundee’ Irwin. Wildlife vet, Dr. John Auty, monitored the kangaroo population around the army base for four days and said: "Most appeared to be in good body condition and population density was a little over two per hectare on the 46,000 hectare base. That is normal density and poses no
threat."
British activist Juliet Gellatley - of the animal group Viva!, which persuaded all 1,500 UK supermarkets to ditch kangaroo meat - has twice visited Australia in recent months to co-ordinate resistance to commercial kangaroo killing. This year’s quota stands at seven million animals. She said:
"It is now open season to profit from Australia’s national symbol when all the latest science shows there is no justification for it. Kangaroo killing has been sustained by myths and greed and now seriously threatens the long-term survival of the target species. We in Europe are playing a part in this destruction by providing a market for the products made from kangaroos. The cruelty involved is horrendous, which is why the Defence Department has refused to allow anyone to monitor this
slaughter."
Viva! has a dedicated
website and is co-ordinating global resistance to Australia’s wildlife massacre by targeting users of kangaroo products and consumers. When the new football season begins, it will target sports shoe manufactures and high street shops with the slogans - "Kick the hooligans out of football!" and "Help end football violence - stop killing
kangaroos".
"Human’s ‘management’ of wildlife has been a disaster, whether fish, whales, tigers, elephants, rhinos or tigers. The same decline threatens kangaroos because the kill is perpetuated on lies and self interest. Will we ever learn?" concludes Ms
Gellatley".
For more information, stills or video footage of kangaroo killing or Viva!’s 40-page report, contact Juliet Gellatley or Tony Wardle on 01273 777688 or 07971 425508
Viva!
Vegetarians International Voice for Animals
12 Queen Square, Brighton BN1 3FD, UK
Tel: 01273 777688 Fax: 01273 776755 www.viva.org.uk
(24/05/2002) European Parliament Environment Committee reaffirms position on sales ban for cosmetic products tested on animals
Brussels, 23 May 2002
Today the Environment Committee voted to stop the marketing of cosmetic products and ingredients tested on animals in the European Union. MEPs adopted a draft report by Mrs. Dagmar Roth-Behrendt, which is in strong opposition to the Common Position of the Council.
The report proposes a three-stage approach, which includes a testing as well as a sales ban:
- Implement the existing marketing ban on cosmetics tested on animals where alternatives are
available
- Prohibit the performance of animal tests for cosmetics purposes within the EU with effect from 31 December
2004
- Five years after adoption of the Directive extend the marketing ban to all cosmetics tested on animals even if alternative tests are not
available
The 7th amendment to the cosmetics directive is due for a vote in second
reading in the Plenary of the European Parliament on 12 June 2002. The
report will then be discussed in the Council of Ministers, as the final
decision will be a joint one.
Eurogroup for Animal Welfare strongly believes that a marketing ban is important to stop testing of cosmetics because a ban on animal testing alone would merely export testing to other countries and there would be no incentive for the industry to invest in the development of alternative test methods. There are already over 8.000 tested ingredients at the industries
disposal so the development of new products is not hindered and the safety of consumers guaranteed.
"Due to the repeated postponement of the marketing ban in the 6th amendment industry already had 10 years for the development of alternative testing methods. This clearly shows that a stronger incentive is necessary to stop animal suffering. Eurogroup is convinced that a marketing ban for cosmetic products tested on animals will result in more investment and research and put an end to the unnecessary suffering and killing of animals to put more
cosmetic products on the market," explains David Wilkins, Director of Eurogroup.
Eurogroup for Animal Welfare urges MEPs when voting in the plenary session at 12 June to support a marketing ban for products tested on cosmetics from a fixed date onwards and calls on the Council of Ministers to support the demands of the European Parliament.
For further information please contact:
Ms. Veronika Haunold, Tel.: 02 74 00 820 or 0497 90 92 75
www.eurogroupanimalwelfare.org
Eurogroup for Animal Welfare, 6 Rue des Patriotes - B-1000 Brussels
(25/05/2002) Cambridge University vivisection exposed!
BUAV reveals horrific monkey brain experiments at Cambridge University and accuses Home Secretary of breaking the law
The BUAV (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection) has today
launched the shocking results of a major 10-month undercover investigation
into one of the UK's 'top' academic brain research centres, Cambridge
University, which yesterday received government backing by the UK Prime
Minister Tony Blair.
A BUAV investigator secretly filmed the pitiful plight of deliberately brain damaged marmoset
monkeys. This is the first time the full in-depth horror of UK primate research has been
exposed, and provides a unique and chilling insight into the reality of 'medical
research' using animals.
The monkey brain experiments at Cambridge were allowed by the Home
Office to be licensed under only the "moderate suffering" category instead
of the clearly more appropriate "substantial suffering". This means the
licence applications will not have gone through an extra ethical and
scientific review by the government's advisory panel, the Animal
Procedures Committee (APC). The BUAV's evidence clearly shows that these
monkeys endured substantial suffering and yet the government has ignored
it.
The BUAV believes the Home Secretary has therefore acted unlawfully by:
- Underestimating the level of suffering in applying the
cost:benefit test and licensing the experiments in the first place
- Categorising the research as
"moderate suffering"
- Failing to review the licences to reflect a higher level of animal
suffering once the project was in progress
- Sanctioning housing conditions which breach European law
The BUAV believes this is a clear example of how the Home Office is allowing
animals in UK labs to suffer severe effects without that suffering being properly scrutinised and
recorded.
The monkeys at Cambridge University were used in experiments for
Parkinson's Disease, stroke and fundamental research into brain function.
Yet the BUAV's evidence shows clearly how crude this "cutting edge"
research truly is, and highlights the reasons why brain damaging monkeys
is immoral. We also believe it is an outdated and flawed methodology.
Early this year Cambridge University's planning application to expand
its primate research facility at a site in Girton, was turned down by the
local authority. At the time Science Minister Lord Sainsbury gave the
application government backing and said: "I confirm that the DTI would
regard this proposal as nationally important. The UK has world-class
neuroscience, and this Centre would consolidate the UK's position as a
global leader." Earlier this month Cambridge University began an appeal
against the council's decision to reject its application.
Yesterday at a speech to the Royal Society, Tony Blair defended the research at Cambridge by
saying:
"... Cambridge University intends to build a new centre for
neurological research. Part of this would involve using primates to test
potential cures for diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. But there
is a chance the centre will not be built because of concerns about public
safety dangers and unlawful protests. We cannot have vital work stifled
simply because it is controversial." The BUAV contends that what the
government is in fact stifling, is the public's right to the truth about
the type of animal suffering that is permitted in this country.
The BUAV investigation at Cambridge University revealed:
- At Cambridge the marmosets are imprisoned in
small, metal, barren cages with almost no environmental enrichment. Marmosets naturally have 20-acre territories in Brazilian swamps &
forest
- The housing used at Cambridge contradicts European law and UK government Code of Practice recommendations
- Gruesome surgery that involved sawing open the monkey's
skull, cutting and scraping away the muscle and then deliberately damaging an area of the brain by either sucking out sections,
cutting, or injecting toxins. After that the skull was closed, the muscles glued back on and the scalp stitched
together
- Brain damaged monkeys suffered bleeding head
wounds, fits, vomiting, severe bruising, whole-body tremors and mental and physical
disabilities
- Some monkeys died following surgery or had to be killed due to their level of
suffering
- Experimental monkeys were made to learn tedious and repetitive
"tasks" for weeks before brain damage
- Following brain damage, other tests included shutting monkeys in tiny boxes, sometimes for up to one hour and giving them
'speed'
- To make them
'work' for rewards, some monkeys were kept on water deprivation including being denied water for 22 out of 24 hours
and/or food restriction
- "Excess" babies were allowed to die
- Some brain damaged monkeys were left unmonitored overnight for many hours after surgery
- Staff callously commented that cutting off a monkey's skull is like
"taking a lid off ... and plonking it back on again" and that "it's good
fun to get them [the monkeys] to do different tasks."
Michelle Thew, BUAV Chief Executive says: "The BUAV's Cutting Edge exposé throws the spotlight of public scrutiny on one of the most secret areas of animal experimentation at what is claimed to be a flagship
laboratory. The public are continually told that animal experiments are vital to save human lives and that the UK has strict controls to ensure minimal animal
suffering. This simply isn't true. Here at Cambridge we see hundreds of monkeys subjected to pitiful conditions and
horrific, severe brain damage in cruel, outdated and scientifically flawed
experiments. Animals like this suffer behind closed doors every day but both the government and the industry have been happy to deny the public the truth and mislead them about what really goes on in UK
labs. The public deserves better, and so do the animals."
"We are appalled that the Prime Minister is prepared to publicly
defend Cambridge University and the animal suffering that is going on
there, particularly as we believe the Home Secretary has acted unlawfully
in the licensing of these experiments . In his defence of this
institution, the Prime Minister has chosen to stereotype animal rights
campaigners as anti-science when the truth is any rational person would be
both utterly appalled by the level of suffering permitted in these
experiments and astonished by the unsophisticated nature of the science .
Instead of disengaging with an increasingly sceptical public and keeping
the truth about animal experiments hidden from public scrutiny, it's time
the government started to be honest with the British people and to listen
to their legitimate concerns."
The BUAV is demanding that Cambridge University's licence to continue these experiments be
revoked. The Cutting Edge exposé marks the launch of the BUAV's Zero Option Campaign demanding an end to all UK monkey
experiments. In 1998 the UK government banned UK experiments on great apes because of their sentiency and capacity to
suffer. The BUAV believes the same should be true of all animals, but at the very least the UK government should extend the great ape ban to include all primates. The time has come to stop their suffering - it's time for the Zero Option.
The BUAV will be holding a series of public meetings around the UK to present its disturbing evidence of animal suffering at Cambridge
University, including undercover footage from the investigation. If you would like to attend any of the meetings
(below) please email the BUAV on:
uktour@buav.org
London
Date: May 27th
Location: London Metro Cinema, Leicester Square
Time: 7.15pm
Cambridge
Date: May 28th
Location: Royal Cambridge Hotel, Trumpington Street
Time: 7.15pm
Cardiff
Date: June 11th
Location: County Hall, Cardiff Bay
Time: 6.30pm
Bristol
Date: June 12th
Location: "At Bristol", Bristol Harbour Side
Time: 7pm
Exeter
Date: June 19th
Location: Picture House
Time: 7.15pm
Southampton
Date: June 20th
Location: Picture House
Time: 7.15pm
Manchester
Date: June 25th
Location: Film Works, Dantzic Street
Time: 7.15pm
Birmingham
Date: June 26th
Location: Electric Cinema, Station Street
Time: 6.30pm
Edinburgh
Date: July 2nd
Location: Dominion Theatre, New Battle Terrace
Time: 6pm
Seats subject to availability. For further details about locations, contact the
BUAV.
For a Cutting Edge info pack contact:
British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV)
16a Crane Grove
London N7 8NN
UK
(26/05/2002) Featherless Chicken is Cruel, Obscene, and Absurd
Machipongo, VA - An Israeli researcher is claiming that thousands of naked chickens could be crowded together in filthy, ammonia-filled sheds awaiting their death the same as feathered chickens. His attitude towards the chickens he is stripping bare in his laboratory is expressed in his description of one of them as an "ugly beast"(New Scientist, May 21, 2002). However, it is not the chicken who is the ugly beast. This researcher's work should be rejected. It is not only immoral; it is impracticable.
Chickens have thin skin, and "broiler" chickens have even thinner skin, probably because they cannot manufacture enough skin cells to cover their overweight bodies, which grow several times faster and larger than normal chickens' bodies. The skin of "broiler" chickens tears and bruises very easily, and it is very sensitive, even with full plumage. Parent flock females are physically ravaged within a few months of being locked up in breeder houses with the prematurely aged, hormonally deranged cockerels, who are constantly mating with them in lieu of normal growth and environmental stimulation.
Hens in battery cages typically lose 40 percent of their feathers within a few months of caged confinement. They develop skin abrasions and abscesses from constantly rubbing against one another. "Broiler" chickens are raised on filthy ammonia-drenched litter (rice hulls and excrement). They develop ammonia-burned breasts because the toxic ammonia trapped in the litter burns through their breast feathers causing painful breast blisters similar to bed sores. The poultry industry has complained for decades about the "carcass damage" in these birds resulting from the breast blisters, torn skin, bruises, dermatitis, and other skin injuries and diseases that result from how they are treated and raised.
Previous efforts to "save feed costs" by inflicting trauma and deformity on chickens and turkeys have included burning off their wings and tails and feeding them slurry through holes cut in their necks. The theory was that they wouldn't have to "waste energy/feed" in growing these appendages or by pecking. As Joyce D'Silva of Compassion in World Farming told New Scientist (May 21, 2002) regarding the featherless chicken research, "It's a prime example of
sick science and the suggestion that it would be an improvement for developing countries is obscene."
The only possible positive outcome of this sick science is that it shows the nadir of depravity to which a violent, animal-based diet leads and thus encourages more people to become compassionate vegetarians.
Contact: Karen Davis 00 1 757-678-7875
May 23 ,2002
United Poultry Concerns is a nonprofit organization that promotes the compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl. For more
information visit
www.UPC-online.org
(27/05/2002) Watch your pets, warn police
Rajaa Azzakani
Johannesburg - South African pet owners were warned on Monday to take good care of their dogs after it came to light that a local syndicate buys or steals dogs here and then sells the meat as gourmet food in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC). www.news24.com/
(28/05/2002) Kenya begs for ivory ban
Cape Town - The Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) on Monday appealed to the international community to save elephant populations from further decimation by not supporting the sale of ivory
stockpiles, as has been proposed by the South African government www.news24.com/
(29/05/2002) Elephants enjoy new home in peace
A herd of South African elephants have become the first residents of the Gaza-Kruger park. The jumbos were transferred from South Africa to Mozambique and received a VIP
welcome.
The elephants were transported by truck, as part of an initiative to launch one of the world's largest game
reserves. After the long journey, they touched trunks and ambled into the long grass of their new habitat. The new conservation area is a cross-border game reserve between South
Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. www.itv.com/news/
(30/05/2002) UK MP's Sign Early Day Motion Calling for the End of Bear Farming in China
In a resounding call urging Her Majesty's Government to take whatever
measures it can to end bear farming in China, 143 British Members of
Parliament have signed an Early Day Motion in the London House of Commons.
Initiated and tabled by Robert Marshall-Andrews QC MP, the "EDM"
congratulated the Chinese Government and the Central Government
Administration for Wildlife Protection on their progress towards ending
the terrible practice of bile extraction from live, captive bears and
encouraged the efforts of the Hong Kong based Animals Asia Foundation who
are in the process of rescuing hundreds of bears currently suffering on
farms in China.
The EDM noted that the practice of bile extraction "involves the
regular infliction of excruciating pain on bears kept permanently
restricted in tiny cages which deny any movement and which result in
crippling deformity and dementia".
The bears arriving at the Animals Asia Rescue Centre in Sichuan
Province, China, have been caged on farms for periods of up to 22 years
and are suffering severe physical and mental problems. Confined in cages
no larger than the size of their own bodies, many are missing limbs as a
result of being trapped in the wild and have crude metal catheters
protruding from their abdomens through which bile is "milked" for use in
traditional medicine.
Many of these pitiful animals have had their teeth deliberately cut
back, or their paw tips brutally sliced off, in order for their defenses
to be taken away and make them easier to milk.
Thanks to government officials in Beijing and Sichuan who signed a
groundbreaking Agreement with the Animals Asia Foundation in July 2000,
calling for the rescue of 500 bears and promising to work together towards
the end of bear farming, over 70 highly endangered Moon Bears have now
been freed from the farms.
British Member of Parliament, Robert Marshall-Andrews MP, said "In
recognition that bear farming is cruel and that the medicinal properties
of bear bile may be replicated and improved by the abundance of both
traditional Chinese herbs and modern synthetics, this House applauds the
Chinese Government in their first positive step towards bringing an end to
this practice and helping the 7,000 endangered Moon Bears caged on farms.
Founder and CEO of Animals Asia, Jill Robinson MBE, said: "We are
extremely grateful for this endorsement from the British MP's, and could
not be rescuing these bears without the help and support of the Chinese
government. True to their promise, they are closing down the farms,
helping to compensate the farmers and confiscating the bears into our
care. Bears who have known only suffering in their entire lives, are now
finally playing together on grass in bouts which would put world class
wrestlers to shame. We have a long way to go, but are working ever closer
towards our goal of ending bear farming by the 2008 Olympic Games in
Beijing."
Further information and full statement of the Early Day Motion: Robert
Marshall-Andrews QC MP - England - (44) 020 7219 5188/6920 or (44) 01634
814 687.
- Annie Mather, Media Director, Animals Asia Foundation Hong Kong. (852) 2508 1867
Information regarding bear farming and the historic China Bear Rescue - Animals Asia Foundation:
- Jill Robinson - Hong Kong - 852 27193340
- Annie Mather - Hong Kong - 852 2508 1867
- David Neale - UK Representative - (44) 0870 241 3723
Viva!
Vegetarians International Voice for Animals
12 Queen Square, Brighton BN1 3FD, UK
Tel: 01273 777688 Fax: 01273 776755 www.viva.org.uk
(31/05/2002) From Dolphin Hunt to Dolphin Watch
In October, 1999, the village of Futo, Japan became infamous around the world for the brutal slaughter of a pod of some 70
dolphins. Letters, faxes and emails expressing outrage poured into the Japan Fisheries
Agency, the office of the Prime Minister and the Fishing Coop in Futo. There has not been another dolphin hunt at Futo
since.
In September, 2002 Futo fishermen will again depart from the tiny harbor on the Izu peninsula to seek dolphins - but this time they will be accompanied by eco-tourists hoping to experience the wondrous site of hundreds of dolphins leaping over the wave tops.
The dolphin watching boat will be captained by Mr. Izumi Ishii, formerly a leader of the dolphin hunting boats at
Futo. But Ishii-san has changed. "I heard the sound of the dolphins crying as they were
killed. I could not bear it," he said in describing his reasons for converting from dolphin killing to dolphin
watching.
Mr. Ishii announced his decision to abandon dolphin killing in a press conference
Tuesday, May 21 at the IWC. Mr. Ishii has also seen films about dolphins and educated himself by
reading extensively. "From now on I want the value of a dolphin to be considered in the wonder it inspires in people rather than for the value of its
meat. Of course we also want this to be a successful venture so that other boats will adopt the occupation."
Dolphin watching will bring financial benefit to travel companies, hotels in the
area, restaurants and souvenir stands as well as the fishermen themselves. A dead dolphin is worth only $300 for its
meat. Live dolphins attracting tourist are worth many times that sum.
The first group of American tourists to come to Japan for this experience will arrive in late
September, 2002, in a trip co-sponsored by BlueVoice.org and the Oceanic Society.
If Futo ceases dolphin hunting it will leave the village of Taiji in Wakayama Prefecture as the only town on the main island hunting
dolphins. "Taiji will be the toughest nut to crack," says BlueVoice.org executive director Hardy Jones.
"They will try to hunt dolphins again next October and if they do we will webcast the atrocity
worldwide."
Hardy Jones, executive director, BlueVoice.org – 28 May 2002
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