Komputer for Alle 1998 #6/1998 CD 6 (Gul).iso/web/ffa/wwwenv~1.org/arrs/digest/news44~5.htm/text0002.txt

Text File | 1998-04-03 | 47.4 KB | 1,050 lines

VANCOUVER, B.C.- This last weekend saw the launch of the Asian Conservation
Awareness Program (ACAP) in Vancouver.

Peter Knights, who works for the Global Survival Network's Investigative
Agency, and is the international coordinator of ACAP says he was pleased
that the program attracted both the largest Chinese immigrant society -
S.U.C.E.S.S. - and the Traditional Medicine and Accupuncurists Society of B.C.

The program is initially focusing on bears, elephants, tigers, rhinos and
sea turtles, as they are the most endangered species whose parts are still
widely used.

Knights says this is, at least in part, due to ignorance that the animals
involved are endangered, or that the trade in the parts is illegal. There
is, however, large-scale poaching operations as well.

The ivory trade

He spoke of the concern many conservation groups have expressed since the
CITES conference last week, where a partial lifting of the ban on the trade
of ivory was approved, adding he had heard of the seizure of a large amount
of ivory being shipped from Zimbabwe, to the United Kingdom. He has also
heard of armed poachers crossing the border from Somali into Kenya, which
tends to confirm the fears that the CITES decision would restart the illegal
trade in Africa.

"There is a very strong "wise-use"movement that's very active in CITES, and
particularly at this meeting in Zimbabwe, which is one of the key "wise use"
countries," said Knights.

"They think that wildlife must pay its way, and must be used to do so - and
when I say used, I mean killed and used.

"If we can derive ecotourism benefit from wildlife, so be it, and that is a
way of animals 'paying their way', if you like," he said.

These countries are not very keen to see a stop to any trade in wildlife, as
they see that as a failure, he added.


Population of the African elephants are estimated to in the range of 400,000
- 700,000, with the higher figure being suggested as most likely. The big
fear, says Knights, is that the Asian elephant, who only number around
40,000, would also come under threat from a renewal of the trade, and
subsequent revival of poaching activities.

Tigers

Tigers, who at the turn of the century numbered some 100,000, of eight
sub-species, are now widely believed to number around 6,000, and comprise
only 5 sub-species.

Of these, the South China tiger is of most concern, and is perhaps beyond
saving, with a population of only around 20 individuals left.

The Siberian tiger, which is the largest cat species in the world, was
believed to have dropped to around 150 individuals two years ago, although
their numbers have now risen to a minimum 200 - 250 according to a survey
carried out this year.

The creation of anti-poaching teams in eastern Russia, through the securing
of funding by the Global Security Network from international donors is
largely responsible for this rise, says Knights.

"[This] really ought to be called the 'Wild East," said Knights.

"There is a free-for-all out there, the (Russian) Maffia has been involved
in wildlife poaching, ... there's been no money for anti-poaching teams, but
we managed to raise enough to keep 5 teams going each year and they believe
that has turned the tide on the demise of the Siberian tiger.

"This gives us quite a lot of cause for optimism. If you can do you in
Russia in the present circumstances, we believe you can do it anywhere in
the world."

Rhinos

There is one good news story about rhinos - the white rhino population is
stable and even increasing, said Knights. But he cautions that the situation
for other rhino sub-species is bleak.

Only 14,000 rhinos, of 5 sub-species remain, the most threatened being the
Javan rhino, whose population is believed to be down to around 50 animals.

Sea turtles

There is little data on the actual numbers of sea turtles, as many turtles
do not mature until they are 30 years old, they always return to lay their
eggs on beaches where they themselves were hatched, and if a hotel is built
in the meantime, they simply do not lay their eggs in many cases. Because of
the long time from hatching to maturity, the effects of habitat loss and
other factors, including the stealing of their eggs for human food, becoming
entrapped in fishing nets and drowning, and the high value attached by
humans to their shells.

Knights said that turtle shells are often found on sale even in duty-free
shops, and the sale of such shells isn't just confined to Asia.

Shells are removed from the turtles whilst they are still alive, Knights said.

"In many parts of the world, where they eat the meat, to keep the meat fresh
and there's no refrigeration, they will actually remove the shell from the
live animal and it may often take hours, or sometimes even days for the
animal to die.

"Obiviously, reptiles can't scream. They're not quite as cute and cuddly as
some animals, but there's little doubt that they suffer incredibly, "
Knights said.


Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 01:33:21 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: [CA] Wildlife trade (Part 2)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

The bear gall trade

Although North American bears are listed under Appendix ll of CITES, meaning
they require a permit from both the country of origin and the country of
destination for them, or their products to be traded legally, there are very
few permits actually issued, although it's well known that bear gall
bladders are on sale on the international market.

Two years ago, Knights was in Vancouver to publicise an underground
investigation in the illegal trade in bear parts, both here in B.C. and
throughout the rest of Canada.

Since then, there has been some improvement. Several businesses in
Vancouver's Chinatown have been prosecuted for the sale of illegal parts,
there has been tougher legislation passed, and there appears to be a greater
awareness among the Asian community about the impact of using endangered
animal parts. There remains room for a lot more improvement in the area.

Knights said he was heartened by recent jail terms given to people who were
caught smuggling bear bile into the U.S. A follow up visit by GSN which
looked at the market for bear galls, the figures for Los Angeles, where the
jailings occured, was much lower than any other Chinatowns in the country.

The Taiwan experience

Knights noted that the Taiwanese have moved a lot further than Canada in
some areas. When ACAP was launched there, 25,000 people showed up at the
Taipei City Zoo, the International Advertising Association ran a TV ad
which, Knights noted, was very hard hitting and would probably not be
allowed to be aired in Canada. It was shown some 1,500 times on Taiwanese TV.

Additionally, a series of 5 newspaper ads were run, in half-page, colour
format, in 7 national newspapers and bus ads, on 120 buses, were donated to
the campaign.

"It was only in 1993 when we were going to Taiwan and finding a lot of these
products on sale, and pushing the U.S. to sanction Taiwan."

Since then, the Taiwanese have passed a "state-of-the-art" wildlife act,
which, in many ways, goes beyond what we have in North America. They have
also set up a special wildlife enforcement unit, and have done some major
public awareness work.

Knights said: "It was nice instead of working on the other side of the fence
with these people, to be  working together. Once you get to that stage, I
think there's no end to what you can achieve."

What is planned for the future?

Jackie Chan, one of the best-known Asian actors, has recorded a message for
the campaign, using ACAP's slogan: "When the buying stops, the killing can
too." Chan is not only well-known, but is also respected, and it is hoped
that his message can be used to educate and inform people about endangered
species.

GSN is planning to have a number of fundraising events over the next year to
fund more anti-poaching teams, similar to the ones funded for the Siberian
tiger. Initially, these will be used to give protection to other tiger
populations that currently have little or no protection.

Tied into the ACAP project is a rhino project in Swaziland, an elephant
project in Zambia, a turtlr project in Taiwan and a bear project in
Thailand. These are field projects to protect the animals concerned, Knights
said.

The trade in endangered animal species is estimated to be valued at around
$6 billion per year, and, according to Interpol, has now surpassed the
illegal arms trade in terms of its value.

Knights points out although many people only think of tiger bones, tiger
skins and rhino horns when they picture endangered wildlife trade,  even
some species of ginseng are now endangered, there is a large trade in
illegal timber, and there is smuggling of orchids, other plants, insects,
fish and many other species, which are not generally thought of as wildlife.

Raising the awareness of the public seems to be working in some areas,
stiffer sentencing by judges appears to have had somewhat of a deterent
effect on traders in the Los Angeles area, and working with local groups,
setting up protection for endangered species looks like it was responsible
for a rise in the Siberian tiger population.

Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be the political will here in Canada
to increase enforcement. The federal government has yet to pass promised
endangered species legislation, the B.C. provincial government says it won't
even consider any. Legal trophy hunting in the province earns the government
money from licences, and nobody has yet been sentenced to even a single day
in jail, even under the new legislation.

Copyright: David J Knowles, Animal Voices News

Permission to reprint, or reproduce by any means is granted, provided
acknowledgement is given to the author.




Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 02:16:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: [UK] Motorists to get bill for cleaning up the planet
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


>From The Electronic Telegraph - Tuesday, June 24th, 1997

Motorists to get bill for cleaning up the planet
By Paul Marston, Transport Correspondent

THE Government's eager embrace of the environmental agenda at the Earth
Summit in New York makes it almost certain that motorists will face tax
rises of unusual severity when Labour's first Budget is unveiled next week.

Ministers' need to raise revenue had already made Britain's 22 million
car-owners a vulnerable target, but the new green impetus to policy-making
provides a rationale for more radical measures aimed at reducing car use to
cut emissions of carbon dioxide, the most
important greenhouse gas.

Drivers therefore face the prospect of petrol duty being raised at least
eight per cent above the rate of inflation, an extra ú5 on vehicle excise
duty with bigger rises for large-engined cars, and a series of changes to
company car taxation to discourage excessive mileage.
There may also be longer-term plans to examine the feasibility of
city-centre congestion charges, motorway tolls and taxes on employer car parks.

The imminent increases in pump prices will hit many motorists hardest. The
last government had increased fuel duty by five per cent a year more than
inflation since 1994, but motoring organisations expect Gordon Brown, the
Chancellor, to be tougher still. A real rise of eight per cent would take
the price of a gallon of unleaded from about ú2.73 to ú2.94, adding ú56 to
the annual petrol bill of a typical motorist driving 8,000 miles a year at
30 miles per gallon.

The Treasury would gain up to ú1 billion in extra revenue, depending how far
the higher prices led to reduced mileage. If the duty increase is 10 per
cent above inflation, average motorists would face higher fuel costs of ú66,
and the Exchequer would potentially be ú1.3 billion better off.

Such petrol prices provide incentives for drivers to use cars with lower
fuel consumption, but environmentalists want to see "gas guzzling" vehicles
punished further by linking vehicle excise duty to engine size. The annual
flat-rate tax, currently ú145, would rise about ú3 to stay in line with the
retail price index. But the Automobile  Association is forecasting a rise to
ú150 or ú155, balanced by possible reform of vehicle excise duty, with cars
above 2,000cc
paying more.

Company cars constitute only 10 per cent of Britain's car population but are
responsible for more than 20 per cent of mileage and therefore face
additional tax burdens. Pressure is growing for Mr Brown to lower the
18,000-miles-a-year threshold at which the current tax charge is reduced.
This would remove the incentive for drivers to undertake unnecessary
journeys simply to reach the mileage "target".

Gavin Strang, the Transport Minister, has already suggested that the
Government might back urban congestion charges or taxes on parking as a
means of creating a "dedicated income stream" for spending on public
transport. However, if Labour simply increases motorists' tax burden without
improving public transport alternatives, it will fail to achieve the car use
reductions it wants and stand accused of manipulating environmental issues
for the sake of Treasury income.

⌐ Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997.

Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 02:16:21 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: [UK] The five failures of Rio Earth Summit
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


>From The Electronic Telegraph - Tuesday, June 24th, 1997

The five failures of Rio Earth Summit
By Aisling Irwin, Science Correspondent

AT the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro five years ago, world leaders
made five main agreements, but environmental groups say that none of these
has been fulfilled.

The CLIMATE CHANGE agreement set a voluntary target of freezing carbon
dioxide emissions, mainly from exhaust fumes and industry, at 1990 levels by
the year 2000. Britain and Germany should meet this objective but most G7
countries are likely to miss it. In America emissions have increased by more
than 13 per cent since 1995.

The BIODIVERSITY agreement was aimed at protecting endangered species and
sharing the profits from the use of global genetic resources more fairly.
There have been modest improvements in efforts to save wildlife but
deforestation wipes out three species every
hour.

The STATEMENT OF FOREST PRINCIPLES aimed to save the world's threatened
forests. It was agreed that forests should be managed more sustainably.
Since then an area twice the size of Belgium has been deforested in the Amazon.

The RIO DECLARATION covered principles that tied economic growth to
environmental concerns. It endorsed the goal of sustainable development -
developing the global economy to benefit all while protecting the environment.

AGENDA 21 was a blueprint for carrying out the Rio principles. The summit
agreed that overseas aid for sustainable development would rise to 0.7 per
cent of Gross Domestic Product - about ú78 billion. In fact it has fallen by
a fifth to 0.27 per cent.

⌐ Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997.

Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 02:16:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: [UK] VAT cuts expected in green budget
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


>From The Electronic Telegraph - Tuesday, June 24th, 1997

VAT cuts expected in green budget
By Joy Copley, Political Staff

GORDON Brown, the Chancellor, is expected to cut VAT[ Value Added Tax] on
energy-saving products in the Budget to signal further the Government's
commitment to tackle global warming.

The move to cut the tax on goods designed to help householders to save fuel,
such as loft insulation and draught-proofing, is one of a series of "green"
measures ministers are planning in an attempt to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

It will reinforce a call by Tony Blair, at the United Nations Earth Summit
II in New York, for a revolution in living styles to achieve significant
cutbacks in greenhouse gases. Mr Blair called on world leaders to match
Britain's ambitious target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by a fifth
over the next 13 years.

He told them he was addressing them "not just as the new British Prime
Minister, but as a father". Mr Blair said he had attended five international
meetings since becoming Prime Minister eight weeks ago and his three young
children at home in London - Euan, 13,
Kathryn, 11, and Nicholas, nine, complained that he was never home. "But if
there is one summit they would want me at, it is this one," he said. "They
know our decisions here will have a profound effect on the world they
inherit," he said.

The move to cut VAT on energy-saving devices would offset Mr Brown's plan to
cut VAT on fuel from eight per cent to five per cent in his first Budget on
July 2, which could encourage homes to burn more fuel.

Environmental organisations have campaigned hard for VAT on energy-saving
products, currently set at 17.5 per cent, to be bought into line with the
tax on domestic fuel. They are convinced after a series of official "nods"
from Treasury sources that the measure will be in the Budget and have
recently provided the Treasury with facts and figures to back up the case
for change.

The products expected to be covered include loft insulation,
draughtproofing, cavity wall insulation, hot water tank jackets and
energy-saving glass. Campaigners argue that the disparity between VAT rates
on domestic fuel and energy-efficiency goods has a
detrimental effect on the environment and on the energy efficiency industry.

Cutting the rate from 17.5 per cent to five per cent to bring it into line
with domestic fuel will cost the Government about ú15 million but it is
calculated that it would boost investment in energy efficiency by more than
10 per cent and result in lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Andrew Warren, the director of the Association for the Conservation of
Energy, said: "Ending the discrepancy between VAT rates on domestic fuel and
energy-saving goods would not only benefit national energy efficiency, but
would also contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions at a very small
cost to the Government. It would be a thoroughly logical change, which would
remove a distortion which currently encourages environmental damage."

Yesterday's UN Earth Summit meeting was overshadowed by the failure of the
meeting in Denver to agree radical action to protect the world environment.
The European countries represented in Denver suffered a defeat when the
Clinton administration blocked tough
language on global warming and the protection of forests. Mr Blair said the
EU had proposed a "new and challenging target" of reducing emissions in
developed countries to 15 per cent below their 1990 level by the year 2010.
"In Britain, we would be ready to go further to
a 20 per cent target," he said.

However, Mr Blair appeared to leave scope for Britain not to be bound to a
20 per cent reduction if other countries refused to follow suit -
particularly as a bigger cutback could add to the costs of British companies
and consumers which would not be faced by competitor
countries. "We are all in this together," he said. "No country can opt out
of global warming or fence in its own private climate. We need common action
to save our common environment."

Mr Blair acknowledged that meeting such a target would require "significant
measures', including more efficient use of transport, improved energy
conservation and greater use of renewable sources of energy. Although he has
ruled out new "green" taxes, he has left
scope to raise existing duties, particularly on petrol to cut down on car
use. He also stressed the Government's determination to introduce lifestyle
changes, including greater use of public transport.

"A new approach to transport may mean sometimes not travelling at all," said
Mr Blair, who has attracted criticism for flying to Denver and New York
aboard Concorde. "Who knows whether a future earth summit might be done
through tele and video-conferencing, with all of
us staying at home,"

There is a growing interest in the environment among the new intake of MPs
with six of the recently-announced Private Member's Bills concentrating on
green issues. They include measures on road traffic reduction, energy
efficiency, cold weather payments (to include
windchill factors), waste prevention, pesticides and energy conservation in
housing. Mr Blair has described the environment as the "coming issue" and
has announced the creation of an all-party Commons committee of MPs to
monitor the performance of Government departments in meeting green objectives.

⌐ Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997.

Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 08:36:12 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mike Markarian <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Premarin Foals
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Posted for Greta Marsh of Massachusetts:

"Persons who have experience raising foals should contact Kathleen Hofferty
of Ipswich Equine Rescue. In September 1997, Kathleen will go to Canada to
buy some foals at the Premarin auction. Each year tens of thousands of these
babies, by-products of the Premarin industry, end up in slaughterhouses as
do their mothers.

"People who want to help with raising foals or with donations should
contact: Ipswich Equine Rescue, 15 Ward Street, Ipswich, MA 01938; phone
508-356-1993."

Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 12:17:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: [e-mail] (Paul Franklin)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Protest at Santa Cruz McDonald's (Ocean Blvd) TODAY 6/24!
Message-ID: <v0213050aafd56b865815@[165.227.101.253]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

There will be a protest at McDonalds on Ocean Blvd in Santa Cruz,
California, Today, Tuesday, June 24th, at 7:00 PM. Leading the protest will
be Richard Krebs, Nicole Briggs, Kevin Keller and Stella Sythe, who were
recently convicted of trespassing during a demonstration inside a
McDonald's last fall. During the lunch-hour demonstration in October, Krebs
handcuffed himself to the counter while the others held up a banner that
read, "Meat is Murder." The activists maintained that they had a right to
protest the fast food chain on the grounds that the company is cruel to
animals and contributes to environmental degradation. Tuesday's protest
will progress from McDonanalds to the County jail, where the four will
begin serving a 10-day sentence the following day. They were also ordered
to pay $1,500 restitution. Be there to show your support for free speech,
animal rights and environmental sanity!

Paul Franklin: [e-mail]; www.scruznet.com/~paul


Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 12:41:08 -0700
From: Lawrence Carter-Long <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Canadian Report on Premarin & How to Get it
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

See the bottom of the report.

-Lawrence

==============================================

EQUINE VETERINARY EXPERTS ISSUE FAVORABLE REPORT ON PMU RANCHING

 Source: Canada NewsWire

   TORONTO, June 23 /CNW/ via Individual Inc. -- A team of equine
veterinarians representing the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
(CVMA), American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), and the
International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) have issued a
report, based on their November 1996 inspection of pregnant mares' urine
(PMU) ranches in North Dakota, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

 The conclusion of their report, ``Equine Veterinarians' Consensus Report
on the Care of Horses on PMU Ranches,'' states: ``The ranchers took pride
in their animals, and Wyeth-Ayerst showed a commitment to continuing to
improve the standards of equine welfare on the farms. Based on our
inspections, the allegations of inhumane treatment of horses involved in
PMU ranching are unfounded. Generally, the horses are very well-cared
for. The ranchers and the company have responded in a progressive and
proactive manner to both professional and public interest. Observations
for improvement have been taken seriously and continue to be acted upon
by Wyeth-Ayerst and the PMU ranchers. The public should be assured that
the care and welfare of the horses involved in the production of an
estrogen replacement medication is good, and is closely monitored.''

 Additionally, the veterinary experts reported, ``The use of PMU horses
to produce a commodity for the benefit of mankind is responsible and
justified, as long as the horses receive the type of humane care observed
on these farms.''

 Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories asked the three internationally recognized
equine welfare organizations to each designate an equine veterinary
expert to observe the health and welfare of the horses involved in the
production of Premarin(R) (conjugated estrogens tablets, USP), a leading
estrogen replacement medication. The expert team included Arthur B. King,
D.V.M., President, Ontario Equestrian Federation, representing the
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, Nat Messer, IV, D.V.M.,
Chairman, the AAEP Equine Welfare Committee; and Colin A. Roberts,
B.V.Sc., Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Centre for Equine Studies at the U.K.
Animal Health Trust and Senior Veterinary Advisor to the International
League for the Protection of Horses. The experts visited 25 PMU ranches
representing a broad spectrum of the industry.

 As a leading research-based pharmaceutical company, Wyeth-Ayerst
continually searches for ways to improve all areas of its operations,
including the equine management practices on PMU ranches. ``Their
Consensus Report describes a progressive equine industry working hard to
ensure the health and welfare of their horses,'' said John V. Bucceri,
Senior Vice President, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. ``The report is
extremely valuable in professionally documenting the quality of our
programs already in place and providing suggestions for continued
progress since these three organizations represent some of the best
equine veterinary and equine management expertise in the world.''

 The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in
Lexington, Kentucky, was founded in 1954 as a non profit organization
dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. The AAEP worldwide
membership includes 5,500 veterinarians who specialize in equine care.
The organization is actively involved in ethics issues, practice
management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary
profession and horse
industry.

 The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the national body
representing and serving the interests of veterinary professionals in
Canada, is committed to excellence within the profession and to the
health and well-being of animals. It promotes public awareness of the
contribution of animals and veterinarians to society. Current CVMA
priorities include leadership on national issues, animal welfare advocacy
and promotion of the public profile of the profession.

 The International League for the Protection of Horses, located in the
United Kingdom, is an internationally recognized organization committed
to the welfare of horses throughout the world. The ILPH also focuses on
the need for progress in veterinary medicine and applied research to
enhance equine welfare. Founded in the United Kingdom more than seventy
years ago, ILPH now has a membership of more than 60,000 and is active in
more than 20 countries.

 Wyeth-Ayerst is a major research-oriented pharmaceutical company and a
 world leader in providing women's health care products.

For further information: and a copy of the Consensus Report, please
contact: Mitchell Merowitz at [phone]./

 [06-23-97 at 08:46 EDT, Canada NewsWire]

Posted by:
Lawrence Carter-Long
Coordinator, Science and Research Issues
Animal Protection Institute
phone: [phone]
[e-mail]

"Faced with the choice between changing one's mind
and proving that there is no need to do so, almost
everyone gets busy on the proof."  -  Galbraith's Law
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 16:06:41 -0400 (EDT)
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: euthanasia
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>

I realize that this might be somewhat off-topic, but what is the general
consensus of the rest of the list regarding animal euthansia? I am curious to
see what others think of this somewhat volatile issue......
Thanx
Kris
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 13:19:07 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: [UK] Sandwich shop owner refuses to back down to McDonald's
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Just heard this on BCTV's Noon News Hour. It came from a feed from CBS (I think)

David
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
Sandwich shop owner Mary Baird has been threatened with being sued by
multi-national corporation McDonalds, as she refuses to rename her business,
called "McMunchies."

The corporation's lawers sent a letter to Baird last December, stating she
is breaching trade mark regulations, as McDonalds' owns not only the "Mc"
prefix, but also the "M" used in her shop's name.

Baird says she has received lots of suport, including a letter from a Mr
McKay, who told her she could use the "Mc" in his name.

The reporter noted how the "Mc" prefix is widely used in Scottish names, and
that, as well as exporting American culture to Britain, McDonalds' also
seemed to be exporting the American love of litigation.

"A hamburger and two law suites to go," he said, adding it was another case
of "McGoliath against McDavid."

There was also referrence to the "hollow" victory won by the multi-national
in the McLibel trial.

Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 13:19:04 -0700 (PDT)
From: David J Knowles <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: [CA] Forest ministry sought decoys for Greenpeace
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>From The Vancouver Sun - Tuesday, June 24th, 1997

By Gordon Hamilton & Larry Pynn
Vancouver Sun

A confidential forests ministry document suggested the government join with
the forest industry this summer in a plan to force Greenpeace into an
expaensive, resource-draining, anti-logging campaign in remote areas out of
the media limelight.

Leaked to The Vancouver Sun by Greenpeace, the draft strategy from the
ministry's public affairs branch was prepared before anti-logging blockades
began May 21. It proposes the ministry pick the spot and time for the
confrontations it expected this summer.

The plan was to cooperate with industry on where logging should occur,
ensuring that Greenpeace protested at sites which are not "media-friendly"
because of their remoteness.

Earlier this year, Greenpeace had identified 10 hot spots on the central
coast - prostine watersheds where forest companies noe have cutting permits
and can begin logging any time.

The stratergy was not put in place, said Vancouver forest region director
Ken Collingwood, whose jurisdiction includes the central coast.

He said he viewed the plan sa neither practical nor part of the ministry's role.

Greenpeace has since proven it has the resources to conduct blockades at
more than on location, he said.

Collingwood added the ministry strategy now in place is to focus on
preparing background information on potential hot spots to counter the views
that international news organizations receive from the environmentalists.

Forests Minister David Zirnhelt would not comment on the draft, which
suggested that one forest company deliberately send a small crew into one of
the pristine watersheds, forcing Greenpeace to react.

"Greenpeace would get its confrontation and soundbite, but on our terms,"
said the document, signed by communications officer Paul Lackhoff.

The strategy was to keep the environmentalists tied up by delaying legal
action. Once the battlefield had been chosen, other logging operations could
continue unmolested.

Greenpeace pre-empted any possible government strategy by launching a
surprise blockade at remote Roderick Island May 21, using its vessel MV Moby
Dick as a supply ship, deploying an international crew to shut down a
Western Forest Products site. WFP was actively logging and the site was not
on Greenpeace's hot spot list.

The environmental organization also moved protection of the temperate
rainforest to the top of its international agenda, generating publicity
inside and outside the province.

Greenpeace has since moved to a second remote site, King Island, and added a
second ship, blockading an Interfor operation. It has also launched a
boycott campaign targetting American purchasers of B.C. forest products and
is preparing a new European boycott in conjunction with the Forest Action
Network.

Meanwhile, RCMP are poised to descend on the protest camp on King Island
ealry today to enforce a court injunction obtained by Interfor.

"It's still going to happen," confirmed Sergeant Peter Attrell, officer in
charge of the RCMP boat Inkstar, en route to Bella Bella to make final
preparations for the assault. "We're getting ourselves set up."

Up to 50 natives and environmentalists, including the crew of the Greenpeace
vessel Moby Dick, are dug in, seeking shelter in the forest under a series
of make-shift, tarp-covered camps.

They estimate 20 - 30 protesters will be arrested by police, while others
will stand to the side and offer moral support. Police have indicated those
arrested will be shipped to Bella Bella or Bella Coola, and flown to
Vancouver for an appearance in provincial court.

Greenpeace campaigner Tzeporah Berman said the eco-group's strategy has been
to analyse where  logging is taking place in tenures held by Western Forest
Products and Interfor. These two companies control cutting rights in 45 of
the 60 remaining unlogged mid-coast watersheds, she said.

Ministry staff have discussed logging plans with forest companies and
learned they plan to stay out of the coastal "hot spots' during the volatile
summer months.

Once rains start in the fall, the companies will move into the pristine
valleys, according to the government draft, hoping to minimize, if not
eliminate, blockades.

Ric Slaco, cheif forester for Interfor, said his company was not involved in
discussions with the government about logging strategies.

"I've never seen anything like that," he said of the draft.

"They may have discussed strategies aong themselves, but we clearly were not
part of it. If we were, why would we be in Fogg Creek right now?" he said,
referring to Interfor's King Island site, which was not part of the
ministry's strategy.

Slaco said the ministry could obtain information about Interfor's future
logging plans through informal discussions at a local level.

Interfor is struggling just to make money this year and its focus is on the
best business strategy, not on how to confound Greenpeace, Slaco said.

By limiting logging to remote central coast sites, the ministry plan was to
discourage "urban, weekend eco-warriors" from joining in the fray and force
Greenpeace to mount an expensive campaign. News media would also be faced
with high costs to cover the protests, effectively limiting coverage, the
draft document states.

The strategy was to avoid southern British Columbia locations such as the
so-called Stoltmann Wilderness, north-west of Whistler, from being targeted
by forcing Greenpeace's hand on the more remote central coast.

If logging in the Stoltmann attracts protesters, media can easily cover the
story, the draft states.

"The media will provide extensive coverage because they are based in
Whistler. In fact the crews there will look for reasons to stay in Whistler,
extending the coverage we might otherwise expect."



Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 18:18:23 -0400 (EDT)
From: Pat Fish <[e-mail]>
To: "* You * (and others?)":;@fang.cs.sunyit.edu
Subject: Big McStake (US Newsweek)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

From: David Lee Winston Miller <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]

Newsweek, June 30, 1997, Page 52

A PYRRHIC McVICTORY
McDonald's wins a libel case--or does it?

Excerpts:

On the other hand, it [McDonald's] was [ruled] responsible for mistreating
animals, paying low wages and exploting children through its ads.  If that
hurt, think of the publicity.

"McDonald's may have won the battle, but they lost the war," says London
PR-company boss Quentin Bell.

After all, McDonald's was taking advantage of England's lopsided libel laws,
which make it all too easy for the powerful to gag their critics.  (Crooked
media mogul Robert Maxwell, for example, used the courts to silence prying
journalists.)

Pressure for legal reform in England is now expected to build.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
David Lee Winston Miller   (a.k.a. "Winston Miller")
[e-mail]  http://www.sunyit.edu/~millerd1



Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 18:56:52 -0400 (EDT)
From: Pat Fish <[e-mail]>
To: Miyun Park <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: PCRM Accidentally Supports Meat? (Don't Eat Fajita or Pita)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII


Don't Eat That Vegetarian Meal-- There Might Be an Animal In It

  Details are sketchy at this point-- I've been *very* busy riding McLibel
coattails to expose Wendy's fraudulent "Vegetarian" pita.  In the process of
working with the Lige Weill of the Vegetarian Awareness Network on the
Wendy's fraud, I mentioned that Jill Howe had (some time ago) discovered
that Taco Bell's "Veggie Fajita" uses chicken in it's Fajita sauce.

 Upon further calls to Taco Hell, Lige Weill was told that indeed chickens
are in the sauce, and that their fajita sauce can sometimes also include
clams.

 Lige also stated he was under the impression that the PCRM had on June 19th
issued positive statements about Taco Bell's "Veggie" Fajita, apparently
unaware of what was really in the Fajita sauce.  This seems to be part of a
growing trend by corporate fast food chains to try to capitalize on the
growing vegetarian market, even if it means misleading customers.

 While Taco Bell has recently been somewhat clearer about their ingredients,
Wendy's has dug in, piling lie on top of lie to cover up their attempt to
mislead vegetarian consumers.  (US News & World Report called me today for
dirt on Wendy's gelatin cover-up).  Reporters have been asking for a list of
groups supporting the boycott and the campaign against Wendy's deceit.  If
you'd like to add your group's name, email [e-mail]


Pat Fish

Ronald McDonald and Wendy:  They both lie to consumers, kill animals, have
terrible fashion sense, and day-glo red hair.  Just a coincidence, or
evidence of inbreeding?


Date: Wed, 25 Jun 1997 10:08:52 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (TH) Once-revered elephants join ranks of the jobless
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



>South China Morning Post
Wednesday  June 25  1997
     Once-revered elephants join ranks of the jobless
     THAILAND by Emilia Casella

     She sometimes begs at the entrance of Patpong Road - Bangkok's
notorious sex-club  street - dancing and playing the harmonica for
foreigners who pass by.

     It's a pathetic life, but it's the only way the young elephant and her
trainers can earn enough to eat. More than ever, the ranks of the unemployed
on Bangkok's streets are being joined by Thailand's proudest symbol: its
elephants.

     People will pay to walk under an elephant's belly, to bring good luck.
As Thailand's forests are cleared and machinery takes the place of man and
beast, trainers are finding  they can earn as much as US$1,500 (HK$11,610) a
month in the city, rather than US$150 in the countryside.

     "This is humiliating," said Soraida Salwala, secretary-general of the
Friends of the Asian  Elephant Foundation. "The great elephants fought for
us in the war, and this is how we repay them?"

     As many as 60 elephants live in Bangkok, the foundation claims. Now
banned from the city centre, they beg in the suburbs, sometimes sneaking
into busier areas.

     Last week, a 19-year-old elephant, Pang Dao, suffered a broken leg when
a car hit  her. Drivers are fined about US$20 when they hit an elephant. For
the animal, such an injury often causes death.

     Outside the cities, elephants are exploited by illegal loggers, who
reportedly feed amphetamines to the animals to keep them working around the
clock.
At the turn of the century, Thailand had about 300,000 elephants. Today,
there are  estimated to be 1,900 in the wild, with 3,000 in captivity.

     How can this majestic symbol, so closely associated with Thailand's
royal heritage,  have come to such a pass? Preecha Phongkum, a veterinarian
who works voluntarily at the Lampang Elephant Hospital, said: "Elephants
used to be our friends. Not now.     People keep them to make money. People
think only about money. Everything has changed."


Date: Wed, 25 Jun 1997 10:10:01 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (AU) Live prawns off menu at restaurants
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


>Hong Kong Standard
25 June 97

Live prawns off menu at restaurants

SYDNEY: Serving live prawns and lobsters in restaurants, long condemned as
barbaric by animal rights activists, will be outlawed under legislation
carrying a two-year jail sentence and a hefty fine.
The move follows a campaign by independent MP Richard Jones who said on
Tuesday he had won support from government and opposition parties for
changes to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act now set to be passed by
the New South Wales state parliament. It also follows a steady stream
of complaints about the treatment of shellfish in Asian restaurants serving
lobsters to be sliced up live and other Asian delicacies such as drunken
prawns or ``screaming prawns''. Drunken prawns are live prawns soaked in
alcohol and set alight and ``screaming prawns'' are so named after the noise
they make when they are fried alive. ``It has been established that
crustaceans feel pain and are intelligent and they should have been included
some time ago,'' Mr Jones said. Under the changes, lobsters, prawns and
other shellfish, which have long been excluded from the provisions of the
act, will be redefined as animals for the purposes of their treatment in
restaurants. Mr Jones said crustaceans were eaten live in only a handful of
Asian restaurants but he described the practice as
unacceptable and ``disgustingly inhumane''. Mr Jones said the amendments
providing for fines of up to A$10,000 dollars (HK$58,100) or two years'
jail, had the support of both the Labor and Liberal parties. ``The most
complaints come from people who see lobsters trying to crawl off plates while
people stick chopsticks into them.'' In one dish, live lobsters are served
on a plate with their head partially severed and their shell cracked open,
allowing diners to pick at the living flesh. Mr Jones previously succeeded
in having the annual three-month duck hunting season banned in New South
Wales. _ AFP

Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 23:26:01 -0400
From: Wyandotte Animal Group <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: (MI) Deer with TB
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

The Detroit Free Press
Tuesday, June 24, 1997

"Panel seeks ideas for deer with TB"

" A meeting to determine how to deal with TB-infected deer in Michigan will
be held from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the West Waterman Campus Center of
Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty in Livonia.
Infected deer have been found in the five-county area of Alcona, Alpena,
Oscoda, Montmorency and Presque Isle.
A multiagency committee of governmental groups, hunting cubs and livestock
producers (at least they had an unbiased panel!) is preparing
recommendations to eliminate tuberculosis from deer.  Public input will be
included in a report to be sent by Aug. 1 to the state departments of
Natural Resources, Agriculture and Community Health.
Among possible solutions:  test all livestock this year in the five-county
area for bovine tuberculosis: prohibit artificial feeding of deer in the
area, and study the transmission of bovine TB in white-tailed deer.
Suggestions can be sent to:  Dr. Stephen Schmitt, Rose Lake Wildlife Disease
Laboratory, DNR, 8562 East Stoll Road, East Lansing (MI) 48823.
By Dennis Niemiec "



Jason Alley
Wyandotte Animal Group
[e-mail]


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