For those looking for the ideal place to spend next year’s holidays, here is an attractive offer:
JOY OF LIFE is the motto of the vegetarian festival, which will be organized in Turkey for members of the European Vegetarian Union and to which interested vegetarians and vegans from all over the world are invited.
WHEN:
From 21 June (Welcome Party) to 26 June 2003 (Farewell Dinner)
Check out 27 June, 2003.
WHERE:
At the Club Natura Oliva in Bafa, Milas at the Bafa lake. The Bafa Lake is a natural paradise on the border of the Aydin-Mugla province of the Aegean Region. In ancient times Lake Bafa was a gulf on the Aegean coastline. With time it lost its connection with the sea. It contains four
islands and is surrounded by historical sites.
This unique area combines natural beauty with cultural treasures and thus makes it a perfect destination for sportsmen, ornithologists, artists and photographers - in short, for anyone interested in nature, archeology and history. A pleasant Mediterranean climate invites for long walks, swimming or just soaking up the sun on the beaches of the sea or the lake.
For more details please look at
www.clubnatura.com
HOW TO GET THERE:
From Izmir airport, the Club Natura is 2 hours away and 12 hours from Istanbul airport. A round trip Istanbul-Izmir by Turkish airlines costs about 170.- Euro (however, free bus transport from and back to Istanbul airport is included in the price).
WHAT IS OFFERED / POINTS OF INTEREST:
Though the programme puts emphasis on leisure and socializing, it will at
the same time propose lectures, workshops (Turkish vegetarian cooking
etc.), slide shows and discussion groups. Morning yoga sessions are
planned and outdoor activities (boating etc.) will be organized. Of
course, a stay in Turkey would not be complete without listening to
Turkish music, which will be played for your listening pleasure.
ACCOMMODATION:
The resort is situated on an extensive area covered with olive trees right in the center of the natural environment. The housing is designed as two-floor bungalows. Every bungalow has 4 rooms, each with bathroom en-suite. For those preferring to be even closer to nature, possibilities for camping are available.
FOOD:
All vegan and vegetarian breakfasts, lunches and dinners will be a feast,
prepared by experienced vegetarian cooks. Locally grown organic
ingredients will be used, the bread will be baked daily out of locally
grown organic grains and the olive oil used will be also organic of the
land where the festival will take place.
PRICE PER PERSON:
Accommodation: (From Saturday night to Friday morning) - 6 nights.
Festival Activities: (From Sunday to Thursday) - 5 days.
Full Board : 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners.
Accommodation (rooms are available for 2, 3 or 4 persons).
Transfer by bus from Istanbul Airport to Club Natura and from Club Natura
to Istanbul Airport.
Early registration up to 15 Feb, 2003 - 350 Euro
Registration after 15 Feb, 2003 - 390 Euro
EVU Members - 10% discount
Age 12 to 22 - 10% discount
Age 6 to 11 - 50 % discount
Age 0 to 5 - Free
A special note for those wanting to make the pleasure last: Accommodation and full board costs 50 Euro per day and person.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Deadline for early registration 15 February 2003
Deadline for booking 30 April 2003
(Booking after 30 April 2003 depends on room availability)
REGISTRATION OFFICE:
Contact Person: Bora Sari
Address: S. Halil Ibrahim Cd. No: 51/8 Istinye – Istanbul – Turkey 80860
Tel: 90.212. 277 77 11, Fax: 90.212. 277 60 42
e-mail:
bora.sari@orkestral.com
(16/09/2002) SAUVETAGE D'URGENCE : Il faut faire quelque chose pour les animaux
Chers Amis et Amies,
vous savez tous les problèmes d'inondation auxquels nous avons été confrontés dimanche et lundi dernier, notamment aux alentours de Nîmes. Les taurins ont néanmoins organisé une "corrida de bienfaisance" demain au profit des sinistrés RMC info vient de me contacter pour faire une interview ce matin même. La manifestation du 21 est néanmoins maintenue puisqu'elle se tiendra dans 8 jours...
Aujourd'hui je vous écris pour un sauvetage d'urgence.
Denise Cavalier a 400 chats et 107 chiens dans son refuge de St Gervasy, dans le Gard, entre Nîmes et Remoulins.
Elle a été très touchée par les inondations. Je l'ai eue au téléphone, elle est au bord du suicide.
L'Alliance a acheté et apporté dès hier soir des sacs de croquettes et des couvertures que j'avais à la maison.
Il faut faire quelque chose pour les animaux qui n'ont rien eu à manger depuis 2 jours.
Faites passer ,je vous en prie, ce message à tous vos contacts, notamment du Gard, susceptibles d'aider matériellement, creuser des tranchées, nettoyer
etc. Si vous désirez envoyer un chèque, nous lui en rétrocéderons bien évidemment l'intégralité.
Ci-dessous je vous transfère le message d 'Estelle et Cyril, bénévoles
de l'Alliance pour la suppression des corridas.
Vous comprendrez l'urgence et le tragique de la situation.
Bonsoir claire
Désolée de répondre si tard mais, après le supermarché, on est allés à St Gervasy.
j'ai porté 20 kg de la part de l'Alliance, ma mère à donné 20 kilos et Cyril à donné 28 kg.
il faisait nuit on est pas rentrés, on a pas bien pu voir l'état des chiens ni madame Cavalier .
il leur reste très peu à manger.Le monsieur qui nous a reçu etait apparement très fatigué.
Le terrain semble un peu asséché, mais là bas il pleut à nouveau avec des éclairs.
L'accès au terrain qui est en contrebas est encore inondé, si il pleut à nouveau ils seront à nouveau dans l'eau
Bonne nuit
Estelle & Cyril
(17/09/2002) Controversial Park to Capture More Dolphins
by Becky A. Dayhuff
The government of the Dominican Republic recently granted Manati Park, which provides a "swimming with dolphins" service, permission to capture eight additional dolphins from waters that the Republic designated a Marine Mammal Sanctuary in 1995.
The exact number of dolphins previously taken from the waters by the Park is unknown.
Manati Park - "one of the world's most controversial facilities" according to Time - has been denounced by The Humane Society of the United States, In Defense of Animals, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and other animal welfare organizations for its inhumane treatment.
The dolphins are kept in small enclosures that provide them with
little opportunity to exercise. In addition, the water in the enclosures
has been described as varying from "heavily chlorinated" to "filthy."
During an interview conducted by a World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) investigator, a former Park employee said that four dolphins suddenly died on one day, but were "quietly" replaced with four new ones during the following day.
"Being forced to interact with so many people - and by 'interact' I mean petting and prodding the dolphins, riding their pectoral fins, etc. for hours on end, seven days a week - inevitably exposes the trapped and defenseless marine animals to extreme levels of suffering and stress," said WSPA Wildlife Consultant Richard O'Barry.
Documentation of the conditions at Manati Park presented by O'Barry at a press conference held in Spain in November 2001 prompted Nestlé, Pepsi, VISA and other companies to discontinue their sponsorship.
A timeframe for the capture of the eight dolphins has not been announced.
[Link]
(18/09/2002) Urgent appeal from Leonardo DiCaprio:
Dear Friend,
The reports from Africa and Asia are absolutely terrifying. Ivory poachers are killing an average of one elephant EVERY DAY.
... and unless we take immediate action, the killings will increase at the end of November.
Please take a simple step to help us stop this slaughter. Please forward this message to your friends and family. We must speak out together about what's happening to elephants!
You see, the vast majority of African and Asian countries are fighting to save elephants, but a powerful minority in southern Africa wants to reopen the trade in elephant ivory.
Their proposal will be accepted or rejected at the November meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Santiago, Chile.
The mere suggestion of a renewed ivory trade has already spawned a wave of elephant killings across Asia and Africa, so if these proposals succeed, elephant herds will be
devastated.
IT IS NOT TOO LATE to stop the slaughter. I've teamed up with the International Fund for Animal Welfare on this urgent appeal for public support.
We urgently need you to:
(1) Forward this message to your friends and family. We need a massive show of support, so grab every name in your address book! Please do it right now. At this point every minute counts for the elephants.
(2) Visit IFAW's Elephant Campaign site
[Link] to send a protest email. Please also consider making a
donation
[Link] to support our campaign. IFAW is already doing the difficult and sometimes dangerous work for elephants, but they need our financial assistance to get the job done!
The battle to save Africa and Asia's last remaining elephant herds could be decided in the next few weeks. Now more than ever, please lend a hand!
Thank You,
Leonardo Di Caprio
PS: Remember … every new campaign supporter and every donation is vital; so please forward this message to your friends, family and co-workers.
(19/09/2002) Live Animal Exporters Flout Foot and Mouth Hygiene Regulations
Refusal to disinfect vehicles, several hundred lambs impounded and slaughtered locally
A combined investigation by Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), Kent Against
Live Exports (KALE) and Farmed Animal Action has revealed evidence of blatant breaches of hygiene regulations in the live lamb export trade.
On Saturday 14th September an animal transport vehicle operated by the company L.E.Jones was shuttling live lambs between a lairage in Kent and the
animal export ship, run by Farmers Ferry, moored in Dover docks. The investigators trailing the vehicle discovered that the operator was not
disinfecting the lorry between journeys - a breach of the hygiene regulations put in place to protect against the spread of Foot and Mouth
Disease.
A formal complaint was made on Sunday 15th September to the State Veterinary
Service and DEFRA. Around 500 lambs were impounded and slaughtered locally,
instead of being exported.
Joyce D'Silva, Chief Executive of CIWF, said "We are delighted that at least
one truckload of lambs was diverted and the animals spared the horror of the
export journey to a distant slaughterhouse. It is clear from this that the
only way that the live lamb export business can be made profitable is by the
operators cutting corners. It seems that they have forgotten the horrors of
last year's foot and mouth crisis and the impact this had on the farming community. We call on the farmers not to
support the live export business and risk another repeat of that diabolical
episode."
It has been revealed that the farmers are only receiving an additional 10p
per kilo for the live animal over the price they can get for meat. This amounts to as little as £3 per lamb extra.
NOTES
The first shipments of live lambs since the foot and mouth epidemic left Dover on Monday 15th July. Since then there have been over 15 shipments of
more than 30,000 lambs, nearly all from Wales. Until the foot and mouth epidemic, the UK was exporting around 800,000 lambs and sheep a year for
slaughter abroad, many being sent all the way to Italy, Greece and Spain. Most of the animals involved in the live export trade will be slaughtered
on, or soon after, arrival at their destination.
CIWF believe that animals destined for slaughter should be sent to an abattoir in the UK, instead of trucking them across the continent in
inhumane conditions. The meat can then be exported throughout the world.
A recent NOP opinion poll (15-17 February) revealed 78% of the general public want to see an end to the live export trade.
This year 3,400 UK veterinary surgeons signed a petition calling for an end
to the live export of farm animals.
For further information or photographs contact CIWF's press office:
Tel: +44 (0)1730 233 904 or +44 (0) 7771 926 005
Fax: +44 (0) 1730 260 791
e-mail:
press@ciwf.co.uk
(20/09/2002) Live animal transport discussed by EU Agriculture Ministers
Eurogroup for Animal Welfare urges Ministers to support a journey timelimit
EU Agriculture Ministers meeting in Brussels next Monday (23 September) will be asked to present their countries' position on new EU rules on
the protection of animals in transport during an "Open Council Debate".
Eurogroup takes this opportunity to restate the demands of the European animal welfare movement: a limit on the time for which farm animals may
be transported, significant improvements to transport conditions and the
introduction of stricter enforcement of EU animal transport rules.
The European law on the protection of animals in transport adopted in 1995 is currently being reviewed based on a report of the Commission's
Scientific Committee. It is expected that Commissioner Byrne will have the proposals ready before the end of this year.
The principle of limiting transport times will be the central issue in the debate. The European Commission's own scientists recommend that for
animals unaccustomed to transport journeys should be as short as
possible. The Commission claims that long journeys are not a problem provided the conditions are good. However, enforcement of the rules by
Member States is a joke and as a consequence conditions on many journeys are appalling.
The problems in live transport have been well documented over the years. The Commission's own inspectorate (Food and Veterinary Office) has
repeatedly found evidence of animal suffering in overloaded, badly ventilated vehicles; and lengthy journeys without rest, food or water. A
recent Eurogroup investigation found pigs being transported for up to 90 hours from the Netherlands to Greece resulting in acute suffering with
40 dead.
David Wilkins, Director of Eurogroup has been campaigning on this issue for many years: "In 1993 the Commission promised to reconsider the issue
of a time limit if experience showed that the laws continued to be disregarded. Long-distance transport of slaughter animals has been an
unacceptable trade for too long. It must not be allowed to continue with the false promise of better controls. We urge the Commission and Member
States to think first about the protection of animals and not just the protection of the trade".
For more information or pictures on transport available from Eurogroup please contact:
Ms. Veronika Haunold
Tel: 02 740 08 20 or 0497 90 92 75 www.eurogroupanimalwelfare.org
Eurogroup for Animal Welfare, 6 Rue des Patriotes - B-1000 Brussels
A copy of the Memorandum from the Danish Presidency concerning the protection of animals during transport can be downloaded from the
register on the Council's Website
http://ue.eu.int/newsroom/
Document number: 11699/02
(21/09/2002) Elvis Part of 'Don't be Cruel' to Animals Campaign
by David Milner
Elvis Presley Enterprises recently gave the Memphis Shelby County Humane Society (MSCHS) permission to use the image of Elvis and the title of the song Don't Be Cruel in a new campaign against animal cruelty.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for us," said MSCHS Executive Director Kathy Simonetti. "It allows us to place the spotlight on a serious issue in an upbeat, non-confrontational manner. We want to create awareness about the problem of animal cruelty and to put out the message that it's not cool to be cruel."
The MSCHS is using a T-shirt featuring a rare photograph of Elvis and two hound dogs taken during the 1950s to help raise awareness and funds. The caption on the shirt, which the organization is selling at its facility and online, reads, "'Don't be Cruel' to Animals - Help Stop Animal Cruelty Now."
"The shirt is great," said Simonetti. "Many Elvis fans are animals lovers, and many animal lovers think the Elvis connection is fun and unique. We're hoping (the shirt) will become a collectors item that will sell from coast to coast."
[Link]
(22/09/2002) Vegetarians In An Enlarged European Union How To Promote Vegetarianism In Europe
In the frame of the European Convention, Europeans are asked for their opinion regarding the European Union, the upcoming Enlargement and European
issues in general. ( for more information please look at
[Link]
).
In Brussels, Romano Prodi said on 23 July: "The Convention is a unique historic opportunity for moving decisively towards a new political entity.
Even at this early stage it has shown great potential. It has gradually
expanded the scope of the debate..."
In order to participate in that ongoing debate, and by that make vegetarian
voices heard in the "new political entity", the European Vegetarian Union
[e-mail] invites to a one-day seminar with the aim to join forces, define the present
position of vegetarian/vegan minorities and to develop a way-ahead, leading
to constructive contacts and exchanges with European institutions. This goal
will not be achieved easily but the first of November (World Vegan Day!) seems like an excellent starting point. After all: "Even the longest journey
starts with the first small step!"
The seminar will be chaired by the EVU President, Dr. Igor Bukovsky from Slovakia (one of the countries about to join the European Union) who,
however, will not propose a ready-made schedule. On the contrary, it seems
much more useful to develop the details with those of you who are interested
in the subject. Here is a first outline of the proposed Seminar which meanwhile has been registered here:
[Link]
Seminar Name: Vegetarianism in Europe
Language: English (sorry, no translation possible)
Date: Friday, 1 November 2002 (All Saints'Day/holiday in Belgium),
starting at 9 h and ending with an evening meal
Proposed topics for discussion:
- Subsidies
- Animal Welfare (Transports)
- Health Issues
- Economy / Ecology aspects
- and/or others, according to the inputs of the participants
Aim:
- to develop a strategy
- to create a Working Group, monitoring all relevant developments in the EU
and alerting the vegetarian organisations
- to draft a press release
- to submit our views to the Convention
Venue: Restaurant LA SAGA , Ave de la Chevalerie 9, 1040
Brussels. Tel: 00 32 2 734 40 98
Cost : 55 Euro per person
(for vegan/bio food: lunch, dinner and two coffee breaks)
Accommodation, travel and transfers : responsibility of the participants.
However, we will gladly assist by forwarding names and details of hotels, maps etc.
Social events: In case of enough interest, we shall book a table for a meal
on Thursday evening and arrange something for Saturday.
Further details will be distributed as soon as the number of attendees and a
coordinated agenda are known.
Please join us in working towards for a healthier and more compassionate future in Europe!
For the President and the Board of the EVU
Herma Caelen
Secretary
Registration and Payment please until 5 October 2002
Account Fortis Bank Ghlin 001-3751541-45
I/we want to participate in the Seminar on 1st November 2002
NAME
ORGANIZATION
ADDRESS
TEL
E-MAIL
I/WE PROPOSE THE FOLLOWING TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED:
AS A BASIS FOR DISCUSSION, I WOULD BE PREPARED TO GIVE A SHORT (20-30 MINUTES) UPDATE ON THE LATEST STATUS OF THE FOLLOWING:
REMARKS:
DATE:
SIGNATURE:
(Notice) Hotels won’t accept your pets? Buy your own place!
For Sale: Luxurious residential mobile home on securely fenced-in grounds (abt. 1000 sqm) with high trees and a brook. The holiday home is situated in a beautiful and unspoiled region in Belgium/Fagnes, between Couvin and Philippeville, and a nearby lake-area invites for walking, swimming, boating, diving, water-skiing etc.
This hardly used residential home (10x3m) is very well equipped and offers a pleasant stay even during extreme temperatures (double-glazing and special insulation). It consists of two bedrooms (double and twin), shower, toilet, dining-living room and open kitchen. It is fully furnished with extraordinary fittings (wooden doors and cabinets). There is a partly covered terrace, electricity, water, septic tank and the possibility to have telephone. In the garden a small brick building offers plenty of storage room.
(25/09/2002) CIWF Applauds UK Government Support for Eight Hour Time Limit on Animal Transportation
Margaret Beckett publicly states UK government support for dramatic reduction in transportation times
Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) is today applauding the UK Government's support for the reduction of animal transportation times
across the EU.
At the EU Agriculture Council meeting in Brussels, Margaret Beckett publicly stated, for the very first time, the UK Government's support
for the imposing of a maximum duration of eight hours on live animal transportation.
The current EU Transport Directive allows animals to be trucked from one end of Europe to another - for example, from Aberdeen to Athens. Even if
the laws on giving animals rest, food and water during long journeys were observed, it would not be possible to transport sheep all the way
from the UK to Italy, Greece and Spain without the animals suffering greatly during the journeys.
Joyce D'Silva, Chief Executive of CIWF, said "We are delighted with
this public statement of support to reduce animal transportation times.
Reducing the time to eight hours would effectively kill the live export
trade and provide significant improvements to animal welfare across
Europe. We look forward to this statement being translated into action
when the draft transport directive is voted on in the coming months".
Margaret Beckett's statement follows the European Parliament vote in November 2001 for a maximum limit of 8 hours or 500 km. to be imposed on
journeys to slaughter or for further fattening.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Photographic images of live animal exports are available from CIWF press office or PA Picselect
[Link].
A 1996 research paper on sheep transport by scientists at the University of Bristol concluded that vulnerability to heat stress is of primary
concern in the transport of sheep. The researchers said that "The longer stock are on a lorry in transit the longer they are vulnerable, and any
problem will be exacerbated by increased dehydration".
The paper concludes that "from a welfare point of view, transport distances and times should be kept to the minimum". It adds that "this
study and previous work show that transport is a stressful process involving psychological and physical stress". The researchers emphasise
that long journeys can result in increased levels of disease and mortality.
For further information or photographs contact CIWF's press office:
Tel: +44 (0) 1730 233 904 or +44 (0) 7771 926 005.
Fax: +44 (0) 1730 260 791
E-mail:
press@ciwf.co.uk
CIWF has ISDN facilities for radio interviews.
(29/09/2002) Norway Ambassador to US: "Keiko is doing well..."
Official reply from Knut Volleback, Norwegian ambassador to the United States, Washington, DC, to Florida Senator Bob Graham regarding Miami
Seaquarium's bid to capture and display Keiko.
Dear Senator Graham,
Reference is made to your letter of September 7, 2002.
First of all I would like to say that according to the reports I have got from the fisheries authorities in
Norway, Keiko is doing well and he is getting a lot of support. Consequently, there is no immediate need for a
rescue operation now. Local veterinarians and animal welfare authorities supervise the whale and the conditions surrounding him.
Norway will not make any problems for the project that has been going on since 1999 with the approval of the relevant U.S. authorities. These
authorities still supervise the project.
In principle we are skeptical to keeping huge animals like whales in captivity. In Norway there is no tradition for that. Also, we regard it as
problematic in an animal welfare perspective to send the whale on the long
voyage from Norway to Florida. At the moment the whale has a freedom that makes it possible for him to make choices. He is not in conditions that
will stress him.
However, we do not doubt that Keiko would get good support in Miami, but it
would be a great step back to put him in an aquarium again.
Finally, I would like to assure you that the people in Halsa are now very much attached to Keiko, and would not like to see him depart.
The activities are aimed particularly at armed poachers from neighboring Sudan, who cross the border in groups of up to 200, setting fires to flush out game animals that they hunt for bushmeat and terrorizing local villagers, IRIN reported, citing a report Tuesday in
National Geographic Adventure magazine. The poachers are said to be responsible for a reduction of more than 95 percent of elephant, giraffe, crocodile and lion populations in the area.
The new anti-poaching force will have government authority to shoot the bushmeat hunters. More mainstream conservation groups have sought to distance themselves from the growing "ecomercenary" movement, according to the report. "We wouldn't do it," Richard Carroll of the
World Wildlife Fund told National Geographic Adventure . "It's really a last-ditch effort. I just hope (they) understand what (they're) getting into. These people are heavily armed and very dangerous. It's basically a war situation." Carroll added, however, that he hopes the U.S.-led anti-poaching force can "make it happen" (IRIN, Sept. 26).
(United Nations Foundation 27 Sep 2002)
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