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AR-NEWS Digest 403
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) (CN) Pandas "happy" in new home
by jwed
2) Horse Aid
by "radioactive"
3) Overfishing & pollution
by "radioactive"
4) Japanese whaling "research"
by "radioactive"
5) (HK) E-coli again from same wholesaler
by Vadivu Govind
6) (HK, Part 1) Cholera and contaminated food
by Vadivu Govind
7) (HK, Part2) Cholera
by Vadivu Govind
8) (HK, Part 3) Cholera
by Vadivu Govind
9) (HK) Waste disposal
by Vadivu Govind
10) (JP-TW) Pig epidemic and official trip ban
by Vadivu Govind
11) (TH) Dairy Industry in Thailand
by Vadivu Govind
12) (TH) Pollution takes toll on top destinations
by Vadivu Govind
13) (LK) Egg prices and fishing
by Vadivu Govind
14) (TH) Dogs of War
by Vadivu Govind
15) (SG) Squeaky clean colons
by Vadivu Govind
16) [CA] Federal Election
by David J Knowles
17) [CA] How many grizzlies?
by David J Knowles
18) [UK] PCBs found in breast milk
by David J Knowles
19) [UK] Nest raiders take osprey eggs from Highland eyrie
by David J Knowles
20) circus investigation - information needed
by Nikolas Entrup <106127.1133@compuserve.com>
21) (US) Substitutes May Help Bee Decline
by allen schubert
22) Turtle Harvest Bill Defeated
by SDURBIN@VM.TULSA.CC.OK.US
23) (US) Salmonella in Chocolate and Pepper
by allen schubert
24) FOOD SAFETY, NEW INITIATIVE - USA
by bunny
25)
by "Paul Wiener"
26) KFI Radio, Los Angeles Monday 5/12
by "Paul Wiener"
27) (CA) Press Release On Bear Gall Trade
by "Patrick Tohill"
28) (US) Oklahoma Wildlife Dept. Funding
by JanaWilson@aol.com
29) (US) Oklahoma Squirrel Hunting Season
by JanaWilson@aol.com
30) (US) Oklahoma Deer Hunting Regulation Changes
by JanaWilson@aol.com
31) Red River Flood Vegetarian Food Relief Fund
by allen schubert
32) (US) Allow Companion Animals in Public Housing
by Karin Zupko
33) (US) Allow Companion Animals in Public Housing
by Karin Zupko
34) Computers & AR/Veg
by Pat Fish
35) Aurora Cancels Animal Show
by Debbie Leahy
36) PeTA Endorses Vegan Standards and Certification Project
by allen schubert
37) Response to Steve Kendall
by PAWS
38) lobsters
by Jennifer Kolar
39) (SE) Kangaroo Bewilders Rural Sweden
by allen schubert
40) (CA) Man In Animals-Extortion Scheme
by allen schubert
41) (FR) French Farmers Condemn Beef Ruling
by allen schubert
42) Alarm greets contraceptive virus.[Aust]
by bunny
43) Zinc Phosphide approved as mouse bait{Victoria,Aust}
by bunny
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 12:52:25 +0800
>From: jwed
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (CN) Pandas "happy" in new home
Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19970513125225.007a98f0@pop.hkstar.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
China Daily 13 May, 1997:
A NEW home for 80 giant pandas has been established in China as part of a
$23 million nationwide-scheme to protect fragile environments.
Officials in charge of a biodiversity investment project funded by the
Global Environment Facility (GEF) are now receiving and revising management
plans submitted by the panda reserve and another nine natural reserves
across the country that are taking part in the project.
According to officials, the project has yielded positive results and has
now entered a new stage of work after nearly two years.
"I am very pleased with the progress of the project, which so far is
proceeding quite smoothly," said Susan Shen, a senior ecologist from GEF's
agency for the project -- the World Bank.
Known as GEF China Natural Reserves Management Project, the scheme was
started in 1995 by GEF and China's Ministry of Forestry. The expected
investment for the project totals $23.6 million, with 70 per cent donated
by GEF.
"The project aims to establish 10 demonstration natural reserves throughout
China by formulating detailed and practical management plans and
encouraging more local participation, protecting biodiversity in China,"
said Yin Hong, an official from the Ministry of Forestry.
(Xinhua)
Date: 05/13/97
Every child has the right to a healthy diet - that means no meat.
http://www.earth.org.hk/
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 00:52:43 -0400
>From: "radioactive"
To: "Animal Rights"
Subject: Horse Aid
Message-ID: <199705130454.AAA20524@mail.mia.bellsouth.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="----=_NextPart_000_01BC5F37.F74EAE20"
For Valentine's Day this year (as we did last year), we again
reminded everybody of all the horses who were not going to be somebody's
Valentine, but who will end up being somebody's dinner instead -- by asking them
to join us in publicizing this barbaric practice by the wearing of a purple
HorseAid ribbon. This year we are extending our HorseAid Purple Ribbon Campaign
to include Web sites (much like the successful Blue Ribbon" campaign
sponsored by the EFF).
Join IGHA/HorseAid in our HorseAid Purple Ribbon
Campaign to protest the slaughter of horses around the world. Please place
a HorseAid purple ribbon on your Web site's opening page (ribbons are available
right here:; - transparent, shown above, for all
background colors except black, or; - for black
backgrounds, as shown on our; guide opening page) to show your
(and your Web site's) continuing support and desire to ;End All Horse
Slaughter NOW! If you don't, why not? Are you FOR the slaughter of
horses?
Purple HorseAid Ribbons suitable for wearing are available
from IGHA/HorseAid at no charge (free!), please send a SASE to: IGHA
"HorseAid Ribbon", P.O. Box 6778 Eastview Station, Rancho Palos
Verdes, CA 90734-6778.\
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;HorseAid Purple Ribbon Campaign, and End
All Horse Slaughter NOW! are copyrighted (© 1996) service marks (sm)
of IGHA/HorseAid. Use is hereby freely granted under a Conditional Use
License for the use and free distribution of all HorseAid Purple
Ribbon terms and associated logos to any person, persons or entity, for
the items intended purpose only (as stated above). Use is conditioned on: No fee
may be charged for the use of these items in any way, they may not be used in a
parody demeaning their intended purpose, and that IGHA/HorseAid retains all
world wide rights.
Introducing the long-overdue "National Horse
Day
to recognize the noble horse!
Just take a moment to think about the singular contribution
the horse has made to this great country!
IGHA/HorseAid proposes that a day be set aside to honor the
many splendid roles horses (and ponies) have played for us throughout our great
history.
HorseAid proposes that "National Horse Day fall on
the first Sunday of each May. It will be a day not only to recognize the
achievements of heroic horses in the past -- from George Washington's beautiful
white steed who carried him bravely into battle and helped us to win our
independence, to the many nameless, but just as worthy of remembrance, chargers,
plow horses, pack horses, wagon horses, mine ponies, and riding horses without
whom this country could never have been explored, developed and traveled at the
rate it was -- but it will also be a day to recognize and appreciate the joy,
fun, recreation and unconditional love our pet, race, and show horses give us
today. In other words, a day in celebration of the horse!
Take that first Sunday in May to show your horse how much you
appreciate him or her by taking a nice, easy trail ride in anticipation of the
long summer days ahead... or if your horse likes to be pampered, try a bath and
a nice warm bran mash... or simply give your horse the day off.
Not just a beast of burden, the horse has been ever the
inspiration of poets, artists and writers. As a companion animal, the horse is
unique: the cat walks ahead of you; the dog walks behind you; the horse walks
beside you.
If YOU too believe that the horse should be so honored,
please e-mail the President.
(as a convenience, you may wish to copy the above text and
paste it into your e-mail)
=2>E-MAIL THE PRESIDENT AT: president@whitehouse.gov
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Abused Horses Still Need Help!
On March 17, 1997, the Malheur County Sheriff's Office
executed a search warrant and seized 41 starving and abused horses from a ranch
outside Vale, Oregon. Seven dogs were also taken to an animal shelter. Sadly,
the remains of eight horses and one dog were also recovered. The seized animals
are severely mal-nourished, infested with parasites, sick with infections and
disease, and injuried. Several have untreated compound fractures, and are
crippled. The Malheur County District Attorney's and Sheriff's Offices were
assisted by local veternarians, and the SPCA, who estimate that half of the
horses taken will have to be euthanized.
Malheur County is a poor, rural County in Eastern Oregon.
They have severe financial limitations, and have no resources to pay for the
food and medical care the animals need. Hay is very expensive, and most local
ranchers have none to spare or sell at this time of year. The County Judge found
15 tons, but that will only last a few days. The roundup and transportation of
the animals to the Nyssa, Oregon rodeo grounds was accomplished by local
volunteers, who brought their own horse trailers and stock horses. One of the
deputy sheriff's was bitten trying to free one of the dogs, who were starved and
being kept in filthy, deplorable conditions.
The District Attorney's Office has set up a bank account at
U.S. Bank, Vale, Oregon 97918 to accept donations which will be used for food
and medical treatment.
This is the second time Patricia Sullivan, District Attorney
for Malheur County has prosecuted these owners, but the first time she has been
able to do veternary examinations and autopsies. Patricia Sullivan is committed
to holding the perpetrators of this cruelty accountable, and her first priority
is insuring they do not have horses in their possession again. Recent changes in
Oregon will hopefully help her effectly hold them criminally responsible, but in
the mean time, these animals need food and medical care. The County can accept
donations of hay, and would appreciate any help anyone can offer to keep as many
of these animals alive as reasonably possible.
To donate funds to the horribly abused Malheur County horses
in Eastern Oregon, please mail your donation directly to: "Malheur County
Horses", U.S. Bank, Vale, Oregon 97918.
To donate, feed, services, goods, etc., please call: Sheriff
Andy Bentz, 541-473-5135 or e-mail Patricia Sullivan, Malheur County District
Attorney at trescats@micron.net .
If anyone can join us in helping Ms. Sullivan in her efforts,
please do so. We are limited at the present time to what we can commit because
of our current involvement with the horses of Arboga (flood) and that we have no
Oregon HorseAid Chapter. But we WILL commit some of our resources to help her,
can you do the same?
For every donation of money, feed, or services to the above
cause (please send/pledge all donations DIRECTLY to them, as listed above),
HorseAid will send the donator a "Friend of the Malheur County Horses"
certificate to acknowledge your help. Please let them know where you want your
certificate sent (or e-mail us the details).
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Malheur County Update...
An update, and continued thanks to all who have supported our
efforts. Bevans did not post the bond required by the Court and the horses and
dogs became the property of the County Friday, April 5, 1997. As of this
morning, one of the dogs had been adopted. Five more await homes. The horses are
continuing to do great. The two with the worst broken legs have been put down,
and evidence retained for Court. Bill Cummings, the Nyssa Police Chief, has
asked to have one of the mare and colts, which he named Sweatheart and Porky,
and one other volunteer has asked for one of the mares. Interestingly, the
Oregon statute gives a preference for adoption, and a further preference for
adoption by persons who have bonded to the horses.
The remaining animals will be sold at an auction, tentatively
scheduled for April 20, 1997. As over 300 people have come forward to adopt, the
County Court wanted to be fair to everyone, and put enough value on the animals
so that they would not be purchased for slaughter. We will reserve the right to
refuse any bid, and do not contemplate sales to anyone other than individuals.
There will probably be a minimum bid of $50.00 to cover the brand inspection,
shots and health certificate. The County will not retain any of the funds
realized from the sale or donations, after payment of expenses. Any funds
remaining will either be placed in a special account to be used in future animal
abuse cases for care of the animals, or donated to an appropriate horse related
charity. Bill and his volunteers are continuing to work with the animals, to at
least halter break them before they are sold. Yesterday, one of his children
rode Sweatheart, probably the first time one of these horses has ever been
riden.
The mares and foals must stay together. Three of the mares
have cancerous eyes, but all have foals or are pregnant, so will be adopted out
"as is" to allow them to raise their foals. Purchasers must have their
own transportation, and sign a release of liability to the County, and agree not
to sell the animal for slaughter and provide acceptable care. We did not want to
put too many prohibitions on the buyers, as many of these animals may eventually
have to be put down due to various problems. All we want to do is ask people to
do their best.
We are in the process of a second worming (the first was
horrible beyond discription) and continue to feed and care for the animals.
There are never going to win any beauty contests, but they have come back much
better than expected. I will advise you of the specifics of the sale as soon as
possible. Meanwhile, my office will be settling down and working on prosecuting
the Bevans.
Thanks again for all of your support,
Patricia Sullivan, District Attorney for Malheur County.
Thank YOU Patricia!
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Horse Cruelty Cases vs. the Legal System
STATE of CALIFORNIA vs. VALTER
The following is a detailed description of allegations
against one Tomas Valter, a resident of the State of California:
Tom Valter was "training" a one time Pan Am Games
dressage horse, "Zooloog", to perform the Grand Prix movement piaffe
in which the horse basically trots in place. Zooloog reacted to this torture
with physical convulsions, his mouth bleeding from Valter's constant jerking on
the chain, eyes bulging, and heart rate almost exploding. Prior to this Valter
had used whips with nails and tacks which penetrated the flesh of the horse,
returning the horse to his groom whose job was to wash the blood off and apply
medication to his wounds before returning him to his 10x10 stall where he was
confined until the next day when he would endure another "treatment."
Valter's assistant described Valter as enjoying this exercise, becoming agitated
and impatient before it (while waiting for everyone at the stable to leave), and
feeling a rush, exhilaration, or "drug high" afterwards.
Valter had trained and previously successfully competed
Zooloog with the use of steroids. He then sold him in 1991 to Katie Thompson
& Peggy Arnone of Las Vegas for $190,000.00. After a few weeks the horse
began to deteriorate mentally and physically as a result of being taken off the
steroids -- suffered several injuries & surgeries, and ultimately broke
down. Arnone was advised by several professional reputable dressage trainers in
California, as well as several veterinarians, that the horse was unable to
perform without pain due to a vertebral injury. Arnone returned the horse to
Valter with a demand that he rehabilitate the horse so that she could recoup her
investment. Zooloog was also a failure as a breeding stallion due to the
steroids so Arnone's plan was to sell him as a Grand Prix competitor.
Valter's philosophy is one of increasing the level of pain of
resistance to exceed the pain of performance so that the horse will choose the
lesser pain. He restrained Zooloog from moving with physical barriers and a
chain in the mouth while he repeatedly probed the horse's hindquarters with an
electric shock device, repeating this exercise for 30 minutes a day over a
period of three weeks. Due to the heightened sensitivity from the nerve
structure in a horse's epidermal tissue, the amount of shock used in, for
instance, a dog's shock collar designed to give a dog a "jolt" can put
a horse on the ground.
After a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigation
(due to several complaints the Department had received), several witnesses
testified to Valter's multiple and ongoing acts of cruelty including tying
horses' heads to their chests and leaving them in their stalls overnight,
shooting them in their stalls with BB guns, withholding water, and whipping
horses to the ground, causing injury.
He was formally charged on April 4, 1996, with 6 counts of
Felony Animal Cruelty and 2 counts of Felony Witness Threatening, jailed, and
released 4 days later on $130,000.00 bail. He was dismissed from the stable
where he was training and hired at the Paddock Riding Stable in Los Angeles, CA,
where he continues to use cruel training methods and threaten people who oppose
him. He is backed financially in these charges by the owner of the Paddock
Riding Stable, David Schmutz, whose father is a prominent L.A. attorney with the
firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, and reputedly closely connected with or a
founder of Great Western Savings Bank.
The Deputy District Attorney handling the trial, Ellen
Aragon, is very responsive to letters of encouragement and support. This is a
ripe opportunity to strengthen the anti-cruelty laws nationwide and to secure
good media coverage of the trial in Malibu.
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STATE of CALIFORNIA vs. VALTER - Update!
Valter's motion to recuse the L.A. County D.A.'s office from
prosecuting the case was denied and the judge commented additionally that the
State had a very good case against Valter.
A pre-trial motion is set for Thrusday, April 3, 1997. There
is good reason to believe Valter will enter a guilty plea on that date, as his
attorney has already agreed to waive a jury trial and Valter's financial backing
has been terminated.
This financial support was reportedly coming from the owner
of the Paddock Riding Stable where Valter is employed. The Paddock's owner,
David Schmutz, was pressured to, and did last month resign from the board of the
California Dressage Society due to his involvement with this case and other
matters conflicting with CDS's best interests.
The L.A. Deputy Distrect. Attorney, Ellen Aragon, who is
prosecuting the case, has offered Valter a plea bargain: 1 misdemeanor witness
threatening and one misdemeanor animal cruelty. Valter has offered to plea to
the witness threatening since the case's inception, one year ago, but Ms. Aragon
has steadfastly adhered to her position that at least one animal cruelty
conviction must be included in any plea.
Ms. Aragon feels very strongly about this case and is a
strong animal advocate. Also, we are sure the hundreds of letters received by
her and her office urging the prosecution of this case have strengthened her
position.
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The animal cruelty trial of Tom Valter has been set for May
13, 1997 in California Superior Court, before Judge Lawrence Mira in Malibu.
Valter did not enter a guilty plea as was expected March 31th but has waived a
jury trial. Valter is charged with 6 felony counts of animal cruelty:
penetrating a horse's flesh with a nail studded whip, cutting a horse's mouth
with a chain while continually probing the animal with electric shock (daily for
30 min. per session), electric shocking a totally wet horse, tying horses' heads
to their chests and leaving them that way overnight, withholding water, whipping
a horse to the ground, and others. Valter is currently suspended from
competition (he's a dressage trainer) by American Horse Shows Association,
California Dressage Society and Federale Equestrian Internationale and has been
since the charges were filed April 4, 1996. This means he is not even permitted
on the grounds of a sanctioned competition.
Every year, more than 80,000 thoroughbred racehorses are sold
to the slaughter houses to get ready for the newcomers. Of these 80,000, over
75% are easily retrainable, 95% are good enough for brood or stud (taking into
consideration their bloodlines and/or temperament and conformation), and out of
this, only an average of about 5% are too dangerous to keep around. The majority
of these fine horses go to the meat market. There, they are then slaughtered and
dispersed to foreign and national meat sellers. Most of these horses have their
life ending at about the age of four; not even one-seventh their total life
span.
These horse's lives depend on their speed. A thoroughbred who
travels at a rate of twelve seconds a furlong (1/8th of a mile) is considered
the best, the absolute fastest there has ever been, and there is only one
Derby-winning horse that has beat this record at Churchill Downs (Secretariat,
1970). A horse who travels at a rate of thirteen seconds a furlong, a whole 8%
slower, is virtually useless. For one moment, just imagine this: Your life
depends on your agility, the rate at which your legs can take you. Not your
thinking, your natural dancing (dressage), or jumping (hunter/jumper) skills,
not anything except your speed and stamina, how well you can hold under weight.
You do not decide your fate, choose your life, have anything to do with the
decision to keep your life or put you to your death. You just try your hardest,
and when you fail, you loose your life.
(Source for the above two paragraphs: Kari Newman - The Lucky
Thoroughbred)
Please help HorseAid to convince Bill Cooke, Director,
International Museum of the Horse to save horses and NOT the Calumet Trophies
with the money so far collected!
call (toll free) or write:
The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation 4089 Iron Works Pike
Lexington, KY 40511, Tel (toll free): 1 (888) 8TROPHIES (and also)
Bill Cooke, Director International Museum of the Horse
Kentucky Horse Park 4089 Iron Works Pike Lexington, KY 40511, Tel (toll free): 1
(800) 568 8813 ext. 231
E-mail address: khp@mis.net
http://www.imh.org/imh/calumet.html
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Smokey nominates... the USDA for promoting the eating of
horsemeat in this country. To receive your copy of how to select, store &
cook your horse, call 1-800-535-4555 (from the USDA's Meat & Poultry
Hotline). The publication has already been sent to over 1700 newspaper &
magazine food editors in the U.S.! Is it a coincidence that once the USDA was
granted authority over the transportation of horses to slaughter, they started
promoting the consumption of horsemeat in this country? Is our very strong and
continued opposition to the "Safe Commercial Transportation of Horses for
Slaughter Act of 1995" (which we call "UNsafe for any STEED")
starting to make more sense now? What's next, horseburgers in the White House?
Or maybe emulating the "White Castle Hamburger" chain, Congress would
like to balance the budget by opening a fast food chain called "White House
Horseburgers"!
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And... the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land
Management (BLM). IGHA/HorseAid has been almost solitary in asking for
"outside" investigations into, and our condemnation of, this Federally
"sanctioned" form of horse abuse for over 12 years now. We don't think
it's an "accident" at all that such a large percentage of the Mustangs
taken off the Western ranges are alleged to have ended up at the slaughter house
(most federally protected wild horses placed for adoption ended up at
slaughterhouses, a Justice Department inquiry has recently found)
Clearly the congressional mandate the agency was supposed to
follow was put aside many years ago in the interest of "expediency"
and "efficiency", and the American people are the poorer for it.
In 1990, the General Accounting Office reported that during
the 1980s, the bureau removed thousands more horses from the range each year
than its adoption program could absorb. As a result, the accounting office
found, the bureau placed 20,000 horses with large-scale adopters, and in the
process failed to comply with regulations for monitoring adoptions. Thousands of
adopted horses were sold to slaughterhouses, the office said.
Another investigation, this one by the bureau's own
investigative unit, will examine charges in a recent Associated Press article
that said that more than 200 bureau employees have adopted more than 600 wild
horses and burros. The article said that some of the employees could not account
for the whereabouts of the horses, while others acknowledged sending them to
slaughter.
Bill Sharp, the bureau's former manager of adoptions in the
Southwest, expressed his frustrations with the program.
was in the program for almost 14 years," Sharp
said. "They've always had too many horses. We were under pressure all the
time to move more horses. That's the name of the game."
you look at the history of the program, it's been a
wreck ever since it started," he said.
We agree.
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Hounorable mention... Anna Wintour, the editor in chief of
U.S. Vogue magazine (a Conde Nast Publication) for her recent remark: that the
best chips she had ever tried had been cooked in horse-lard.
By her insensitive remark, she has proven that there may well
be some truth to the theory that lard accumulates in the brain tissues and slows
brain function.
One of the IGHA Board of Directors, who is also a former
member of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), suggests that all
current ASMP members write "Anna, please don't eat any more horse
chips!" on all their invoices to U.S. Vogue magazine. If you feel the same way, please
E-mail Anna Wintour at: Voguemail@aol.com and tell her (and Vogue)
what YOU think about the editor in chief of U.S. Vogue eating horses! (It seems
that due to all the negative mail they received, U.S. Vogue closed down their
AOL mail account.)
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 01:12:10 -0400
>From: "radioactive"
To: "Animal Rights"
Subject: Overfishing & pollution
Message-ID: <199705130513.BAA24657@mail.mia.bellsouth.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Overfishing, pollution threaten oceans-scientist
SINGAPORE, May 12 (Reuter) - Commercial fishing and
pollution are putting pressure on the capacity of the world's
oceans to replenish themselves, with grave consequences for the
planet's life-support system, a scientist said on Monday.
Sylvia Earle, director of Deep Ocean Engineering and former
chief scientist of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration, told a three-day oceanography meeting that the
take from commercial fishing was approaching dangerous levels.
``When we remove large numbers, we destroy that population's
insurance against disease, poor weather, short rations and other
natural ups and downs,'' she said. ``Why do we imagine that we
can get away with it in the ocean? In fact, we can't.''
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said last
March that 1995 fish production reached a record 112.3 million
tonnes, up from a 1994 high of 109.6 million.
It said intensive fishing practices had resulted in
environmental damage to fishery resources, especially in the
prosperous economies of East Asia.
``More than 100 species of marine fish were listed in 1996
by the World Conservation Union as threatened or endangered, an
unprecedented assessment of resources once thought to be
inexhaustible,'' Earle said.
The list includes the Atlantic cod, several seahorse species
valued as aphrodisiacs, the swordfish, and the Atlantic bluefin
tuna, whose adult populations ``are now down to 10 percent of
what they were 25 years ago,'' she added.
Earle said that aside from rampant overfishing, the oceans
also faced a potent threat from ``the vast quantities'' of toxic
chemicals, plastic debris, sewage and run-off from farms, and
recreational and residential areas.
``Some regard the effects of 'overfertilising' the sea with
nitrates and phosphates as one of the greatest and growing
threats to ocean health,'' she said.
^REUTER@
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 01:13:10 -0400
>From: "radioactive"
To: "Animal Rights"
Subject: Japanese whaling "research"
Message-ID: <199705130514.BAA24856@mail.mia.bellsouth.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
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Japan to defend ``research'' whaling at IWC meet
By Paul Eckert
TOKYO, May 12 (Reuter) - The International Whaling
Commission (IWC) on Monday began its most detailed review of
Japan's so-called ``research'' whaling,'' a programme critics
describe as a ploy to conduct banned commercial whaling.
In closed-door meetings in Tokyo to last through Friday, the
IWC's Science Committee will hear an interim report on a
specially authorised 16-year whale research programme that began
in 1987, Fisheries Agency officials said.
Findings at the meeting of science committee members and
whale experts will be discussed at the IWC's annual assembly in
Monaco in October.
``Japan intends to demonstrate to the IWC -- particularly to
those countries which are against whaling -- the scientific
value and utility of research whaling,'' said a Fisheries Agency
spokesman.
``We do not expect opponents to have a sudden change of
heart in favour of whaling, but believe the step-by-step
accumulation of data will help Japan's case,'' he added.
Although the whaling is ostensibly for research purposes --
and Japan compiles detailed data on minke populations, food
stocks and behavior -- the meat, a traditional delicacy, finds
its way to a few gourmet restaurants in Tokyo.
Japanese whalers have caught 440 minke whales in the
Antarctic Ocean in each of the last two years under the IWC
permit.
Previous minke harvests have ranged from 241 in 1988-89 to
330 taken each year from 1992-95, according to Fisheries Agency
statistics.
Japan has chosen to ignore a resolution passed at last
year's annual IWC convention in Scotland which called on it to
abandon ``research'' whaling operations in the Southern Ocean
Sanctuary, an area the commission established in the Antarctic
Ocean in 1994.
The IWC has banned commercial whaling since 1982, a policy
Japan has in recent years tried to have repealed, citing data
from its research harvests of Antarctic minke whales which it
says shows stocks are high enough to support limited hunting.
An IWC Scientific Committee survey published last year
showed stocks of minke whales at 760,000, a number Japan said
was enough to permit the culling of some 2,000 annually.
Last year the British government called on Japan to
discontinue its whaling operations in the Antarctic.
The British move came after the World Wide Fund for Nature
(WWF) issued a report claiming that Japan's scientific whaling
was thinly disguised commercial whaling involving factory ships
which prepared whale meat for the Japanese market where it is
regarded as a delicacy.
^REUTER@
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 13:32:14 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, veg-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (HK) E-coli again from same wholesaler
Message-ID: <199705130532.NAA02910@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>Hong Kong Standard
13 May 97
E-coli found again in supplier's meat
By Antoine So
THE fatal E-coli O157:H7 bacteria has been found in a sample of beef from
the same wholesaler that supplied contaminated meat to the Yaohan
Department Store in March.
The Department of Health made the latest discovery in beef samples taken
last Tuesday from the Hop Lee Fresh Provision Shop in Western.
Another test on beef from the wholesaler in March found it had E-coli.
A spokesman for the department said last night that a raw beef sample was
taken from Hop Lee last week as a follow-up preventive measure to the March
E-coli alert.
Results of the new test again showed the sample was contaminated with the
bacteria, the spokesman said.
Hop Lee had formerly supplied meat to Yaohan's Sha Tin store, where the
first contaminated E-coli sample was found on 10 March this year.
The wholesaler has been ordered to surrender the product and conduct
thorough disinfection and cleansing of the premises, the spokesman said.
Last Tuesday's follow-up tests found no contamination in other meat shops
in the territory, the spokesman said.
No one has been diagnosed with related illnesses from E-coli, while the
source of the March contamination has remained a mystery.
The department spokesman urged the public to cook food thoroughly and meat
transport workers to prevent contamination of beef by E-coli.
The strain found in the Sha Tin store was blamed for the deaths of at least
11 people in Japan and 20 in Scotland earlier this year.
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 13:32:24 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, veg-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (HK, Part 1) Cholera and contaminated food
Message-ID: <199705130532.NAA10764@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>Hong Kong Standard
13 May 97
Officials swoop on stalls as tainted food linked to cholera
By Ella Lee
[Image]
A woman, 53, is admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on Monday.
CONTAMINATED processed food is suspected to be the cause of the latest
cholera outbreak, as health officials stepped up their attempts to halt the
disease's spread.
Director of Health Dr Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun said the possibility that
the eight local cholera cases had a common infection source was ``higher
than otherwise''.
She added that it was rare for cholera to hit Hong Kong so early in the
year and that the cases, unusually, were spread out and not just in one
area.
The Department of Health's preliminary investigation showed some patients
had eaten processed food, including chicken feet, fish balls and dim sum,
before they fell sick.
``Some foods were processed in small factories and sold to food outlets in
different districts,'' Dr Chan said.
``If those foods are contaminated, it is possible that they have caused so
many cases at the same time and in different districts.''
Of the eight cholera cases, seven were at the Princess Margaret Hospital in
stable condition while a man, surnamed Sah, 76, was still in critical
condition at Tuen Mun Hospital last night.
At the Legislative Council health services panel on Monday, legislators
pressed the government to track down the source of the outbreak while Urban
and Regional Services food inspectors swooped on food outlets, factories
and seafood restaurants.
Dr Chan said her department would use a DNA test to trace the source.
The department has collected 86 food samples related to the cases for
laboratory tests and the patients' families were found to be healthy. Hong
Kong University professor of microbiology Yuen Kwok-yung said there was a
``high'' possibility that the latest outbreak, was caused by a common
source as the bacteria had the same pattern of resistance to four kinds of
antibiotics.
All patients were infected with the Vibrio cholerae 01 El Tor Ogawa, a
strain commonly found in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, but Secretary for
Health and Welfare Katherine Fok Lo Shiu-ching said there was no need to
declare Hong Kong a quarantine area.
Hospital Authority chief executive Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said that local public
hospitals had sufficient resources and flexibility to deal with the cholera
cases, although government hospital casualty wards had been under
increasing pressure from hundreds of people with diarrhoea fearing they had
cholera.
The Princess Margaret Hospital's accident and emergency teams on Monday
treated 30 per cent more patients than normal, most of whom suffered from
abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
Prince of Wales Hospital was just as busy, as about 40 to 50 people sought
similar treatment for stomach complaints. Many patients asked if they had
cholera, the hospital's casualty chief, Dr Ng Wah-shan, said.
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 13:33:01 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, veg-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (HK, Part2) Cholera
Message-ID: <199705130533.NAA11294@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> Hong Kong Standard
13 May 97
Food premises face legal action on hygiene standards
By yau Wai-ping
An Urban Services Department health officer takes a water sample from a
restaurant in Admiralty. Picture: Larry Chan
TWO of the six food premises frequented by a cholera victim on Monday had
prosecutions brought against them by the Urban Services Department for poor
hygiene.
The action came as the Urban Services Department and the Regional Services
Department vowed to take steps to prevent an epidemic of the disease.
Director of Urban Services Elaine Chung Lai-kwok said her department had
inspected six food premises patronised by a Chai Wan man diagnosed with
cholera.
One of the premises was summonsed for its dirty kitchen and another because
it was infested with cockroaches.
The six premises were all on Hong Kong Island, three in Eastern District
and three in Wan Chai.
Ms Chung said food premises _ classified as outlets selling processed or
cooked food _ connected with cholera would be inspected daily.
She also said there would be more inspections of the 9,000 food premises in
urban areas and samples taken of fish tank water at seafood restaurants.
Assistant Director of Urban Services Chow Loi said his department would
finish inspecting the territory's 1,400 urban food factories in a week.
This followed Director of Health Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun's comment that
the cholera cases could be related to contamination of processed food such
as fish balls.
The Urban Services Department said there were 1,138 licensed and 268
unlicensed food factories in urban areas.
The department has brought 270 prosecutions against licensed food factories
and 1,202 against unlicensed food factories in the past year.
Assistant Director of Urban Services Li Yiu-fai warned against patronising
unlicensed cooked food stalls because it would be difficult to trace the
source in case of contamination.
Meanwhile, the Regional Services Department said it would increase
inspections of food premises with poor hygiene records and take more
samples of fish tank water at seafood restaurants. Department figures show
that 108 prosecutions for poor hygiene were brought against food factories
in the New Territories last year.
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 13:33:16 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, veg-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (HK, Part 3) Cholera
Message-ID: <199705130533.NAA08339@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>Hong Kong Standard
13 May 97
DNA technique to track disease
By Ella Lee
FOR the first time since the 1994 cholera outbreak, medical sleuths will
use the expensive DNA fingerprinting technique to track down a common
source of bacteria in the current cholera scare.
At the high-tech laboratory of the Hong Kong University's Microbiology
Department at Queen Mary Hospital, microbiologists will use the technique
to find the unique strain of cholera bacteria found in its eight patients
and its possible source.
Professor Yuen Kwok-yung said the university had obtained four patients'
stool samples and was seeking permission to procure samples from the four
other patients.
``The Department of Health is trying to culture bacteria on food samples,''
Prof Yuen said.
``After we have done the DNA fingerprinting on all the patients' bacteria
and compared them to the fingerprint of the bacteria found on the food, we
will then know if the infections come from the same source.''
Prof Yuen said a confirmation of a common-sourced outbreak would need both
``epidemiological evidence'' _ traced by the Department of Health from food
eaten by the patients _ and ``microbiological evidence'' - strains of
bacteria tested in laboratories.
All the eight patients were infected with the Vibrio cholerae 01 El Tor
Ogawa, a bacteria group commonly found in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
The bacteria found on the patients was resistant to four antibiotics _
tetracycline, septrin, O/129 and chloramphenicol.
Such a pattern of antibiotic resistance has been found in cholera bacteria
in some developing countries.
In the July 1994 outbreak, in which 23 people were infected, the DNA
fingerprints of patients' bacteria were the same as the fingerprint of the
bacteria found in seawater in Aberdeen. The water was used by a restaurant
to store seafood which was subsequently contaminated.
Dr Samson Wong Sai-yin, the university's lecturer of microbiology, said the
DNA bacteria obtained from the eight patients would be separated into
fragments by using Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis technique.
The DNA components of the bacteria ``swim'' in the gel when an electrical
current is applied, and then separate into fragments.
``If the fragments of each bacteria sample is identical to each other, we
can then tell if they are from the same source.''
Dr Wong said DNA fingerprinting was an expensive process and took four days
to produce a result.
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 13:33:24 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (HK) Waste disposal
Message-ID: <199705130533.NAA06401@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>South China Morning Post
Internet Edition
May 13 1997
Correcting misconceptions over waste disposal.
I refer to the letter by Lisa Hopkinson of Friends of the Earth
"Consultants being somewhat disingenuous" (South China Morning Post, April 24).
Her letter about Hong Kong's arrangements for disposal of contaminated
dredged material contains factually incorrect statements.
First, let me dispel the misconception that all dredged material taken to
the contained marine disposal facility at East Sha Chau is highly toxic - it
is not. It is important to distinguish between the terms "contaminated" and
"toxic" and to remember that the so-called "toxic heavy metals" copper,
lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel, zinc and chromium are naturally occurring
elements. They only become toxic if they reach high enough concentrations in
a form which is biologically available.
In its unpolluted natural state, the seabed contains all these metals. In
certain locations, pollution has raised the concentrations of some of these
metals to a level of concern as defined by the Environmental Protection
Department.
Like many countries, we arrange special disposal for any material in which
even one of the metals reaches this level. More than 95 per cent of the
material in the disposal pits has been below the concern level for mercury
and cadmium. Ms Hopkinson's calculation for the amount of mercury and
cadmium lost to the environment is wrong.
Concerning organic contaminants, generally these have been low or below
analytical detection limits. In addition, we have also tested "toxicity".
These tests measure any adverse effects to an organism's reproduction,
feeding behaviour and growth, and the results have confirmed that most of
the mud is not highly toxic.
Second, Ms Hopkinson's concern about the small loss of material during
placement into the pits stems from the fact that she is looking at the
disposal operations in isolation.
During typhoons the sea becomes a brownish colour due to storm waves
resuspending seabed material into the water column which is then dispersed
by the tides. What is less obvious, however, is that the same process occurs
continuously to some extent, either naturally caused by the tides or as a
result of ships' propeller wash and anchoring. Contaminated sediment is
constantly being dispersed, and removing it, placing in pits and capping it
achieves an important benefit to the marine environment in and around Hong Kong.
Third, the waters north of Lantau are not higher in levels of contaminants
than elsewhere in Hong Kong, nor are the fish which the Chinese white
dolphins eat in that area. The organic contaminants found in some of the
dolphins are not generally present in Hong Kong sediments. Despite Ms
Hopkinson's assertion to the contrary, analysis by our consultants has shown
there is no link between the disposal site and contaminants found in dolphins.
Fourth, Ms Hopkinson is acquainted with government efforts to minimise mud
dredging and to investigate treatment technologies. Hong Kong is a world
leader in managing contaminated mud. Our data is publicly available, and if
anyone is interested in fuller technical details they should contact me
directly.
J.B. MASSEY
for Director of Civil
Engineering
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 13:33:31 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, veg-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (JP-TW) Pig epidemic and official trip ban
Message-ID: <199705130533.NAA10433@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>South China Morning Post
Internet Edition
May 13 1997
Trips banned over fears of pig epidemic
KYODO in Kagoshima, Japan
Governor Tatsuro Suga said yesterday he had banned all official trips to
Taiwan by prefectural employees to prevent an epidemic among Taiwanese pigs
from spreading to Kagoshima's livestock.
"Kagoshima relies on livestock and we are greatly worried about
hoof-and-mouth disease entering here," Mr Suga said in the southwestern
Japanese prefecture.
He said the measure did not extend to prefectural employees or citizens
making private trips.
On April 26 an agricultural high school in Isen, on Tokunoshima Island,
called off a trip to Taiwan planned for next month due to fears about the
disease, which has led to the planned slaughter of millions of Taiwanese pigs.
The infectious disease is spread among pigs and cattle.
The epidemic of the potentially fatal virus among Taiwan's pigs led Japan
to ban imports of Taiwanese pork on March 20.
Kagoshima leads the nation's prefectures with about 1.34 million domestic
pigs, and is second in cattle with 320,000 head of livestock.
Authorities have issued a written warning to employees of Kagoshima's
agricultural and livestock industries, telling them not to bring back pork,
other meat or any livestock-based products from Taiwan.
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 13:33:41 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, veg-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (TH) Dairy Industry in Thailand
Message-ID: <199705130533.NAA09104@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>Bangkok Post
May 13, 1997
[Business Post Logo]
AGRICULTURE
Dairies dry up as pleas for imports go unheard
Plants close as skim milk remains in port
Post Reporters
Dairy operators are being forced to close their
factories one by one as their requests for
much-needed skim milk powder imports go unheeded
by the Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives
Ministry.
Nestle closed its first plant on April 23 and a
second on April 25. The former produced Bear
Brand sweetened condensed milk and the latter
Bear Brand honey-blended powdered milk.
The company followed up yesterday with the
announcement that it was closing the yoghurt
factory that produces Yoghurt Nestle and Bear
Brand yoghurt. Its UHT Milo plant at Samrong
will shut on May 17.
The company claimed it was forced to close
because imports of skim milk powder and other
raw materials needed to produce its products
were stuck at Bangkok Port.
The government-administered quota for imports
for the January to June production period has
been approved and the milk has arrived.
However, because authorities have still not
officially approved the quota, the Agriculture
and Agricultural Cooperatives Ministry has not
allowed Nestle and other dairy operators to
collect their goods.
Although Thailand produces fresh milk locally,
imported skimmed milk powder plays a vital role
in the local diary industry.
That industry says it has been continually
inconvenienced by the government-administered
quota system, established two years ago to
control imports of skimmed milk powder. The
quota is approved on an annual basis and can be
revised every four months.
The national livestock development committee
chaired by Agriculture and Agricultural
Cooperatives Minister Chucheep Harnsawat set the
1997 quota for imported skimmed powdered milk at
88,000 tons, up from 78,000 tons last year. The
quota for raw milk was set at 2,285.25 tons and
ready-to-drink milk at 26.28 tons.
But industry players have complained that
increasing consumer demand means consumption far
outstrips local production of fresh milk and
dairy operators are left scrambling.
A Nestle spokesman said the company was doing
its best to allocate its limited stocks to
satisfy consumer needs and to avoid hoarding and
profiteering among distributors.
The shortage means exports to overseas customers
will be either delayed, cancelled or may have to
be supplied by other Nestle affiliates in the
region.
Related companies that supply raw and packaging
materials will be hit hard as Nestle is forced
to cancel or defer orders until production can
resume.
A source from Thai Dairy Industry, which
produces Mali Brand milk-based products, said
the company's executives were in the midst of
talks about how to cope with the powdered milk
shortfall.
He said he believed other operators were all
feeling the pinch.
But government agencies continue to drag their
feet. Deputy Commerce Minister Chalermpol
Sanitwongchai yesterday said he sent an urgent
message on Friday to the Agriculture Ministry,
asking that it allow the January to June imports
to leave the ports to prevent a shortage.
But the Agriculture and Agricultural
Cooperatives Ministry will stall any decision
until the matter is discussed by cabinet today.
A source from the ministry said the decision to
approve the import requests had been delayed for
so long because a planned meeting of the
national livestock development committee had
been postponed over and over. The last meeting
was held in March.
He said a final decision would be made very
shortly since the problem was at the cabinet
consideration stage and the Agriculture and
Agricultural Cooperatives, Commerce and Finance
ministries were working together to find a
solution.
Australia, a large supplier of dairy products to
Thailand, is also pressing for a solution.
An executive-level source from Australian
Embassy in Bangkok said the embassy had held
many meetings with officials from the ministries
to push the cabinet to reach a decision.
Article copyright Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd 1997
Reprinted for non-commercial use only.
Website: http://www.bangkokpost.net
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 13:33:49 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (TH) Pollution takes toll on top destinations
Message-ID: <199705130533.NAA28889@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
May 13, 1997
[BANGKOK POST]
TOURISM
Visits could be cut to protect islands
Pollution takes toll on top destinations
Chakrit Ridmontri
The number of tourists destined for beautiful
islands could soon be cut back in a bid to
prevent these tourist spots from being destroyed
by pollution.
The Thai Sea Rehabilitation Committee chaired by
Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh reached the
tentative decision in its monthly meeting
yesterday.
Beautiful islands such as Phi Phi in Krabi,
Phuket and Similan in Phanga have been severely
affected by pollution caused mainly by the
increasing number of tourists.
"Many agencies have long been trying to limit
the number of tourists but have never
succeeded," said Fisheries Department chief
Plodprasop Suraswadi, who is secretary of the
committee.
The prime minister has consequently asked the
committee to consider solutions to the problem
and report to him next month, he added.
Gen Chavalit has also asked the committee to
collaborate with the National Economic and
Social Development Board (NESDB) to tackle
long-running water contamination in the seaside
resort town of Pattaya which is regarded as an
important tourist spot.
The number of tourists visiting Pattaya has
declined in recent years due to water pollution,
Mr Plodprasop said.
The committee under the NESDB comprises of
chiefs of various agencies concerning marine
management. It was set up during the Banharn
Silpa-archa government to solve problems
relating to the sea.
In its monthly meeting yesterday at the
Government House, many marine environmental
issues were raised such as garbage collection in
the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok and the
excessive number of fishing boats.
No concrete measures were proposed yesterday.
However, the committee will further consider
these issues and submit a progress report to the
premier at its next meeting.
Article copyright Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd 1997
Reprinted for non-commercial use only.
Website: http://www.bangkokpost.net
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 13:34:01 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, veg-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (LK) Egg prices and fishing
Message-ID: <199705130534.NAA03471@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>Daily News
Tuesday 13, May 1997
Egg prices drop in Jaffna
THE price of eggs have dropped in Jaffna from this year.
Eggs were sold at Rs. 18 each last August but the price had come down
to Rs. 8 from this January.
According to an official report, 48,102 one day chicks (33,945 Pullets
and 14,157 Broilers) have been distributed among poultry farmers
during the first quarter of this year.
Meanwhile about 4,000 families belonging to the fishing community are
engaged in fishing in Jaffna, and the fish is sold for local
consumption.
Government Agent, Jaffna C. Pathmanathan in a report states that since
more fishermen are returning to the district and most of them have
lost their fishing gear and other implements, it is necessary that the
government allows the transport of fishing nets form Colombo to Jaffna
to be distributed to the fisher families under the subsidiary scheme.
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 13:33:55 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, veg-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (TH) Dogs of War
Message-ID: <199705130533.NAA10495@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>Hong Kong Standard
13 May 97
Front line duty for dogs of war
[Image]
A German Shepherd seizes the protected arm of his handler at the Military
Dog Centre in Thailand. Almost all dogs trained at the centre serve on duty
in the Thai armed forces, often helping border patrols battle drug
smugglers. Picture: AFP
NOT content with being man's passive best friends, dogs have long been
filling the enlistment rolls of the royal Thai army, where they are trained
as sentries and soldiers in the fight against drugs.
Between 150 and 180 dogs a year have been graduating from the Military Dog
Centre School in Pak Chong district of the northeastern province of Nakhon
Ratchasima, 260 kilometres from Bangkok, since 1968.
Dogs at the centre are trained in three categories _ as sentries, tactical
animals and special forces. Almost all dogs trained in the past 10 years
have served on active duty out in the field.
Some 60 Thai military dogs were part of a joint operation along the border
with Cambodia with United Nations forces ahead of the 1993 Cambodian
general elections, sniffing out bombs and landmines.
With the situation relatively calm along Thailand's once volatile borders
with Burma and Cambodia, dogs are now being enlisted by the border police
to stop the flow of drugs from Burma, the official said.
The Thai government has singled out drugs as one of the most critical
problems facing the country _ particularly a surge in amphetamine use _ and
military dogs have been called up to help battle the scourge.
``The situation has changed, there are no more real dangers, so we are now
just a supporting force which trains dogs for other key services,'' Colonel
Sukhum Sujarit, head of the Military Dog Centre, said.
``This government has made drugs their priority and our dogs are now being
trained to help the authorities.''
The Thai army, navy, air force and the border patrol police all send
personnel to train with the dogs at the centre.
Dogs are selected at the age of one year after completing a four-month
course to determine their suitability for service _ which usually lasts
about six years, compared with eight for the average serviceman.
After completing their training course, dogs are chosen to specialise in
different sectors of the armed forces. At the top of the canine hierarchy
are German Shepherds and Dobermann Pinschers, whose size and fierce looks
make them far more imposing than their Thai counterparts, Col Sukhum said.
The key to the training is building up a good working relationship between
soldier and animal _ a bond that will endure for the whole of the dog's
military service, Col Sukhum said.
However, he added that while most of the training was for national security
objectives, military dogs were also enrolled in special courses to learn
tricks such as jumping through burning hoops and help win hearts.
``It is to entertain villagers and children,'' one trainer said. ``We don't
want them to think that the military is a terrifying thing.''
Military dogs undergo rigorous health examinations at least once a year to
make sure they are still fit for service.
``Good care will be taken of dogs at their bases but if they have serious
problems they will be transferred to hospital,'' Col Sukhum said.
The hospital, which is located in the Pak Chong Centre, provides care for
all sick military dogs, most of whom have skin diseases _ a common
complaint for Thai canines as a result of Thailand's tropical temperatures.
``We have an efficient hospital including operating room and modern medical
equipment,'' one doctor said.
Once discharged, dogs were often sold as guard dogs, a move welcomed by
animal lovers who prefer this option to putting down the animals.
``People like to buy trained dogs because they know their duty, although it
takes new owners more time than usual to get used to them,'' an official
said._ AFP
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 13:34:07 +0800 (SST)
>From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, veg-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (SG) Squeaky clean colons
Message-ID: <199705130534.NAA10458@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>The Straits Times
MAY 13 1997
Squeaky clean colons
By Lea Wee
HAVING nozzles inserted in your rear to hose down waste matter in
your large intestine may sound painful.
But the procedure, known as colonic cleansing, is fast finding
fans among Singaporeans.
However, Dr Francis Seow-Choen, who heads Singapore General
Hospital's department of colorectal surgery, is sceptical of the
procedure.
The Health Ministry also told The Straits Times that colonic
cleansing is a medical procedure which can be carried out only by
licensed medical clinics.
So far, only two such clinics -- one at Tanglin Shopping Centre
and the other at Loke Yew Street -- offer it.
The medical adviser for the two centres, Dr Sylvestor Yong, said
they receive about 20 to 30 new patients every month.
A year ago, there were only about 10 a month.
Most of them have minor woes such as constipation, aches and
pains and tiredness. A few use colonic cleansing to complement
conventional treatment for indigestion and chronic constipation.
During the procedure, a valve delivers about a litre of warm
filtered water into the large intestine, which is about two
metres long, and the waste flows out through another valve.
The process is repeated about four to six times during a one-hour
session, which costs $80.
Dr Yong, a private practitioner, claimed that colonic cleansing
helps to get rid of toxins built up over the years "as a result
of poorly digested food stagnating and decaying in the colon".
Converts also claim that these toxins may lead to problems such
as constipation, gas, piles, high blood pressure, poor skin,
stiff joints and tiredness.
But Dr Seow said there is no hard proof that toxins cause all
these ills.
He also noted that all faeces, after about 30 to 40 hours in the
colon, will be passed out.
Thus, toxins do not build up in the colon over the years.
"The colon is not a warehouse in which some rooms are never
cleared and left to rot. It is more like a river where new water
or faeces flow daily. There is no accumulation of dirt as the
lining of the colon regenerates itself every day," he said.
He added that studies have also shown that introducing water into
the colon through the anus may have the reverse effect of
increasing the absorption of toxins into the bloodstream.
"It also increases the absorption of bacteria and increases the
risk of infection."
Colonic cleansing may also lead to renal and heart failure among
those with renal and heart disease, and can cause the colon to
expand and even burst.
But Dr Yong said that, so far, no complications had occurred. He
added that all patients must undergo medical screening.
Those with intestinal bleeding, heart, renal and other serious
health problems are discouraged from undergoing the procedure.
Two women who had done so were full of praise for it.
Madam Ng Paik Eng, 45, unemployed, said: "I feel more relaxed. My
pimples have also gone."
A 53-year-old retiree, who had some difficulty moving after a
mild stroke, claimed she could move better after the procedure.
The woman, who declined to be named, said: "I feel rejuvenated."
But Dr Seow said: "Patients feel good after colonic cleansing
probably because of the placebo effect.
"When they hear that a medicine will make them feel better,
chances are, they will feel better psychologically."
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 00:28:58 -0700 (PDT)
>From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] Federal Election
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970513002933.2e571152@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
VANCOUVER, BC - With the federal election enterting its third week, tonight
saw the televised leadership debate.
This writer witnessed the "event" at local New Democratic Party (NDP)
candidate Svend Robinson's campaign headquarters in North Burnaby.
Only one item of note from the debate - an audience member asked Progressive
Conservative leader (and please don't point out what an oxymoron that is),
Jean Charest, about his party's view on the environment.
Charest promised that he would, if Prime Minister, merge Environment Canada,
the DFO, Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada and replace it with a "super
ministry" which he would call "Sustainable Development".
That was it - no mention about the proposed endangered species or
environmental protection legislation, nothing about the waste of taxpayer's
money subsidizing the east coast seal hunt, the fur trade, nor even the
slightest hint of the most basic of animal welfare legislation being
introduced, and given Canada's present legislation and enforcement record,
anything would be an improvement.
Svend Robinson has done his bit for the environment - having been arrested
and jailed for taking part in the protests against logging Clayoquot Sound a
couple of years ago, but sad to say, he's just not into animal-rights in any
big way, judging by the speed at which he was devouring his meat and other
animal products.Not to single him out - nearly everyone else there was
eating meat too, and the vegetarian selection consisted of a few veggies and
a few peanuts.
(I'll be following this up with the campaign office tomorrow)
David J Knowles
Animal Voices News
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 00:29:00 -0700 (PDT)
>From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] How many grizzlies?
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970513002935.2e575c94@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
VANCOUVER, B.C.- The war of words between environmentalists and the B.C.
provincial government continues - this time about the number of grizzly
bears that are left in the province.
The government says that the population is around 3,000 strong, healthy,
growing and in no danger.
A coalition of local environmental groups, including Greenpeace's Vancouver
branch and Bear Watch, say that these figures are wrong and that the true
figure is around 1,000.
They also say that the bear population is under threat from logging
activities such as clearcutting, road building and other industrial
activities, as well as hunting.
These activities destroy habitat and also block off salmon streams. Salmon
are a major source of food for the bears.
The groups have called for an immediate moratorium on all further logging
activities near the streams.
They have enlisted the help of several prominent U.S.-based scientists to
prove their point that the population is threatened.
The government, for its part, has launched a TV advertising campaign to try
to prove the population of grizzlies is healthy.
David J Knowles
Animal Voices News
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 01:42:21 -0700 (PDT)
>From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [UK] PCBs found in breast milk
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970513014256.2e573938@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>From The Electronic Telegraph - Tuesday, May 13th, 1997
PCBs found in breast milk
WORRYING levels of dangerous chemicals have been found in breast milk and
food supplements containing fish oil, according to a report to be released
by the Department of Health this week.
The department is expected to release the findings of a review of data on
environmental levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which have been
linked to birth defects, liver damage and cancer amid claims from the
Consumers' Association that it has kept the report under wraps for weeks.
Sheila McKechnie, director of the association, said that, for political
reasons, the department had deliberately delayed making a public
announcement until after the general election."This problem would not arise
with an independent food agency which could make things public when it
liked," Ms McKechnie said. "We must have more openess."
The claim that it had delayed publication of the report was dismissed by the
Department of Health last night as "a load of rubbish", But the department
said that experts had been reviewing the scientific evidence surrounding
PCBs which were used widely in paints, inks
and as insulating material in electrical transformers before an
international manufacturing ban was imposed on them in the 1980s.
American research linked PCBs with a range of life-threatening illnesses.
Huge quantities of PCBs, persistent chemicals which are extremely difficult
to eradicate, still exist. They are known to be leaking gradually into soil
and water where they can contaminate animals and fish. It is believed that
most people in the US and Europe are contaminated with measurable amounts of
PCBs which are said to lower resistance to disease. Thousands of electrical
transformers still contain PCBs and scientists are afraid of spillages or
fires which give off poisonous dioxins.
Miss McKechnie was speaking to journalists in London as she launched the
association's own proposals for an independent food standards agency to
restore consumer confidence in the wake of the beef crisis and the E coli
food poisoning outbreak in Scotland. The
association's "blueprint for food reform" is contained in a 32-page document
entitled Policy Report: A National Food Agency.
© Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997.
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 01:42:27 -0700 (PDT)
>From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [UK] Nest raiders take osprey eggs from Highland eyrie
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970513014302.2e5778bc@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>From The Electronic Telegraph - Tuesday, May 13th, 1997
Nest raiders take osprey eggs from Highland eyrie
By Caroline Davies
SECURITY around osprey nests in Scotland is being stepped up after three
eggs due to hatch next week were stolen from an eyrie.
The theft - the first this year - was met with gloom by volunteers trying to
protect the osprey, one of Britain's rarest birds. There are 104 nesting
pairs of the fish eagle in Scotland. Conservation groups and volunteers have
guarded nests since the osprey was re-introduced to Britain in 1959.
Police in the Highland area are now on "heightened state of alert". They had
been warned by Dumfries and Galloway police that known egg thieves were
making their way north, but have no definite link with the warning and the
osprey snatch.
A spokesman said: "We are always vigilant during nesting seasons and, in
view of this theft, will be increasingly so."
Sophisticated surveillance equipment is now being used to protect the eggs
of rare birds as thieves become more audacious. At this time of year all
rare birds are vulnerable. The red kite (150 pairs in Wales), the red-necked
phalarope (50 pairs in Scotland) and the Montagu's Harrier (10 pairs in
England) are all monitored.
In Scotland, attempts to mount 24-hour volunteer guards on each of the
osprey nests have proved impossible. The eyrie raided on Sunday was being
looked after by a volunteer, but not on a full-time basis. In the past the
RSPB has called in the SAS for help. The soldiers, with infra-red night
vision equipment and microphones, use it as an opportunity to hone their
surveillance skills. Often they dig-in a short distance from the nest, and
in some cases have captured would-be raiders.
Keith Morton, the species protection officer with the RSPB in Edinburgh,
said security would be stepped up but declined to give details for fear of
alerting potential thieves. "We dare not even identify the area where the
nests are because that would certainly attract thieves," he said.
"These people - and there are a few hundred of them - will do anything to
get to a nest. They are prepared to turn up in the middle of the night, they
are prepared to climb very tall, very dangerous trees. They are even
prepared to drive from England to Scotland and back in 24 hours just in the
hope that they will get to a nest."
© Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997.
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 05:41:10 -0400
>From: Nikolas Entrup <106127.1133@compuserve.com>
To: AR-News
Subject: circus investigation - information needed
Message-ID: <199705130541_MC2-1678-39C8@compuserve.com>
Hi everyone,
RESPEKTIERE, a new animal rights and protection organisation in Austria, is
doing an investigation on accidents with animals in circusses in Austria,
highlighting the security aspect for animals and humans. Facts back to 1970
are welcomed. The study, later this year, will also be available in
english. We would be very thankful if you can pass on any information
related to that subject (also international cases) mainly regarding:
a. animal injures/attacks human: visitor, passers-by, trainers, etc.
b. animal injures/attacks animal or injures itself
c. animal escapes and cause damage
!!! Also NEEDED: Any contact address from circusses (mainly europeans),
circus magazines (!!!), etc..
Thanks for any information you pass on.
Niki Entrup
RESPEKTIERE
P.O.Box 97
1172 Vienna
Austria
email: 106127.1133@compuserve.com
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 08:06:44 -0400
>From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Substitutes May Help Bee Decline
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970513080640.006b3e4c@clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
from AP Wire page:
------------------------------
05/13/1997 01:18 EST
Substitutes May Help Bee Decline
LOGAN, Utah (AP) -- Researchers have identified some substitute bees to do
the job
of the European honeybee, whose numbers have been declining over the last
several years.
A variety of diseases and mites have resulted in a shortage of the honeybees,
meaning there are fewer of them to pollinate gardens, orchards and
wilderness.
So the Agriculture Department's Bee Biology Lab at Utah State University
has come
up with some alternatives.
``There are 3,000 to 5,000 species of bees in the United States, not just
honeybees
and bumblebees,'' said Vincent Tepedino, a research entomologist for the
USDA.
Among them is the blue orchard bee, a native to Utah, which is slightly
smaller than
a typical honeybee. The little black insects look more like bluebottle
flies than bees.
But they could be crucial in pollinating orchard crops. Research
entomologist Jordi
Bosch said fruit trees bloom early when temperatures are cooler. That creates
problems, since honeybees do not like rain or the colder weather, Bosch
said.
Most fruit trees won't pollinate themselves, requiring the bee to visit
multiple trees,
which honeybees also shun, Bosch said. In addition, European honeybees don't
always rub up against the right parts of the flower to ensure pollination.
``There are lots of problems with them not being very efficient
pollinators,'' Bosch
said.
The blue orchard bees, on the other hand, begin work a little earlier in
the year than
honeybees; they work longer hours and don't mind the rain and cold.
``There's a tendency for honeybees to stay in one tree,'' Tepedino said.
``The blue
orchard bee will switch rows of trees and move on.''
It takes only 250 blue orchard bees to pollinate the same orchard space that
otherwise would require two hives of about 20,000 honeybees.
Research entomologist Bill Kemp said several smaller orchard owners unable to
get honeybees are turning to the bee lab for help. The lab has been using
blue
orchard bees to pollinate six acres of orchard in Cache Valley since 1978.
The lab also has been looking at other bees, such as the alfalfa
leaf-cutter bee to
pollinate indoor hybrid plants and endangered native plants.
But there is one drawback: Neither the blue orchard nor alfalfa
leaf-cutter bees can
make honey.
``The thing we worry about is pollination,'' Kemp said.
Date: Tue, 13 May 97 07:08:18 UTC
>From: SDURBIN@VM.TULSA.CC.OK.US
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Turtle Harvest Bill Defeated
Message-ID: <199705131251.IAA18017@envirolink.org>
Oklahoma City, OK USA: The "turtle bill" reared its head in the Senate
Monday, only to get it whacked off again.
The turtle bill started off as a House resolution that would have
overturned Wildlife Department regulations restricting the commercial
harvesting of turtles in Oklahoma.
Last year, the Legislature passed a measure opening up the harvesting
of turtles to feed a growing Asian market for turtle meat.
Previously, the commercial harvesting of turtles was limited to rivers
and streams. Last year's bill extended the right to harvest turtles
to all Oklahoma water, making it open season for all turtles, because
there were no regulations on size.
At the urging of the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation, the Wildlife Department
adopted regulations banning the harvesting of all turtles under four inches
and all soft-shell turtles over 18 inches - the best breeders.
The House resolution would have overturned those regulations. It passed
the House but was killed in a Senate committee.
But Sen. Rabon had it inserted as an amendment in an innocuous bill
that changes the name of a wildlife refuge in Choctaw County. Another
amendment in the same bill is designed to protect paddle fish.
Rabon said the regulations would prevent children from harvesting
turtles for a turtle race. He said the regulations are also
endangering the livelihood of some of his constituents.
But other senators called attention to the earlier committee action
and said it should be allowed to stand.
Margaret Ruff, director of the Wildlife Federation, said there are
only three commercial harvesters in Oklahoma and that the only one to
object to the regulations is located in Rabon's district.
She said the main objection is to taking the time to cull the turtles
that fail to meet the department's size qualifications.
"We aren't against the industry," she said. "But we believe there should
be some regulations at the front end, instead of trying to write
regulations after problems develop, as they have in the hog industry."
The bill with the turtle amendment failed to pass the Senate on
Monday, 22-23, but Rabon held it on the calendar with a motion to
reconsider its failure.
-- Sherrill
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 10:05:19 -0400
>From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Salmonella in Chocolate and Pepper
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970513100517.006c93f8@clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
from Yahoo news page:
-----------------------------------
Monday May 12 1:40 PM EDT
Salmonella in Chocolate and Pepper
NEW YORK (Reuters) -- You may know that Salmonella bacteria can be found
both in chickens and eggs, and
that both require a thorough cooking to kill the bacteria before the food
is safe. But what about food you don't
cook?
A new study conducted by researchers in Mexico found that store-bought
samples of chocolate and ground
pepper that were negative according to traditional Salmonella testing
methods, did indeed contain some
bacteria according to highly sensitive DNA tests.
However, that doesn't mean that you should stop eating some of your
favorite foods. The data is preliminary
and must be confirmed by other studies. And it's not clear if the amount of
the bacteria found in the food was
sufficient to cause illness, said Dr. Guadalupe Virginia Nevarez-Moorillon,
of the University of Chihuahua in
Mexico. She presented the data last week at the American Society of
Microbiology meeting in Miami Beach,
Florida.
"We propose the use of this method as a tool for quality control, but in no
way do we suggest that all the
chocolate and ground pepper are contaminated with Salmonella or that its
consumption should be avoided,"
she said.
Nevarez-Moorillon and colleagues used the highly sensitive polymerase chain
reaction, or PCR, to test for
traces of Salmonella DNA in the food items. In PCR, alternating cycles of
heat and cold in combination with
genetic material are used to amplify DNA to detectable levels.
The PCR test indicated that one out of five chocolate samples was
contaminated with bacteria, while traditional
testing showed no sign of Salmonella. In the ground pepper, three out of
five samples were positive by PCR
tests, but negative by traditional methods.
Chocolate has been the cause of at least one Salmonella outbreak, in
Norway, said Nevarez-Moorillon.
"It's not that we were concerned that there was a problem in Mexico, but
it's a generic concern worldwide," she
said. And though ground pepper has never been traced to any food poisoning,
past tests have found that the
spice could be a source of contamination. Both could be a problem because
they are not cooked -- a process
that kills the bacteria -- before they are eaten.
"We know that 90% of the chicken has Salmonella, but that is in the store
or supermarket, then you take it
home and cook it and during the heating process the Salmonella is killed --
and then it is not a problem," said
Nevarez-Moorillon. "But chocolate does have a problem in that you don't
heat it, you go ahead and buy it in the
supermarket and then you just eat it." PCR offers a more sensitive and
rapid way to test such foods, she said.
"What we are trying to develop is more sensitive methods of detection for
pathogens. We are not saying that
you have to avoid chocolate at all -- no way," Nevarez-Moorillon concluded.
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 22:09:30 +0800
>From: bunny
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: FOOD SAFETY, NEW INITIATIVE - USA
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970513220325.2ce712ba@wantree.com.au>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
FOOD SAFETY, NEW INITIATIVE - USA
=================================
Date: Mon, 12 May 1997
Source: C-span (live at 11 am)
------------------------------
A new food safety initiative spurred by recent outbreaks of foodborne
pathogens in the United States was announced by Vice President Al Gore, who
said that "when a child reaches for a piece of food, it ought to be safe."
Main points of the initiative that will rest on a cooperative framework
involving FDA, USDA, CDC, HHS and EPS are:
1. More inspectors, especially for seafood
2. Extending food inspection to fruit and vegetable juices
3. $16.5 million for research on new tests, including Hepatitis A and
Cyclospora not now detectable in foods
4. Re-examination of microbial resistance to traditional modes of
preserving food, e.g., heat and refrigeration
5. An 8th sentinel site to be added to CDC's early warning system
6. Technology to be made more generally availabe for tracking down
infections, including DNA fingerprinting.
The vice president also called upon citizens to take more care in personal
hygiene (e.g. hand washing) and food preparation (e.g. washing fruits and
vegetables and safe handling of meat products), and government agencies to
provide more public education on these issues.
-----------------
May 12, 1997
VICE PRESIDENT RELEASES PLAN TO STRENGTHEN, IMPROVE FOOD SAFETY Calls
For Stricter Precautions For Fruit & Vegetable Juices, Improved Inspections
Message Creation Date was at 12-MAY-1997 13:18:00
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office Of The Vice President
______________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 202-456-7035
MONDAY, May 12, 1997
VICE PRESIDENT RELEASES PLAN TO STRENGTHEN, IMPROVE FOOD SAFETY
Calls For Stricter Precautions For Fruit & Vegetable Juices, Improved
Inspections
WASHINGTON -- Vice President Gore today (5/12) announced a five-point plan
to significantly increase the safety of the nation's food supply. The plan
sets
forth steps the Administration will take this year to strengthen food safety
and details how we will use $43.2 million in new funds the President has
requested in his fiscal year 1998 budget.
"When children reach for a piece of food, parents deserve to have peace of
mind," said the Vice President who heads the National Performance Review to
make government work better and cost less. "This Administration is using the
most modern science and a common-sense approach to increase the safety of our
nation's food supply and protect the public health."
The plan, "Food Safety From Farm to Table," is outlined in a report
presented to the Vice President today by Health and Human Services Secretary
Donna E.
Shalala, Department of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, and Environmental
Protection Agency Administrator Carol M. Browner. The President requested
the report in January. It calls for improved inspections, public education and
greater use of the latest science to dramatically reduce foodborne illness.
It calls for stricter safety precautions for fruit and vegetable juices,
improved seafood inspections, and increased investment in research, risk
assessment
and surveillance.
In his January 25 radio address, the President announced he was requesting
$43.2 million for food safety in his FY 1998 budget and requested a report
detailing recommendations on ways to further improve food safety. The
Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, and the
Environmental Protection Agency, working with state and local officials, the
food industry,
scientists, consumer, and producer groups, developed the report.
Today's actions build on previous Administration steps to modernize the
nation's food safety programs, first proposed by the Vice President's
National Performance Review. Specifically, the National Performance Review
encouraged the widespread adoption of preventive controls to food safety, and
the implementation of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)
systems.
A key element of the Administration's food safety efforts has been the
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach that requires
the food
industry to use the most modern science to identify sources of potential
contamination in food production and transportation and then put in place
preventive measures. Already required by the Food and Drug Administration
for seafood and by USDA for meat and poultry, FDA will propose preventive
measures, including HACCP, for the manufacture of fruit and vegetable juice
products,
and USDA will propose HACCP and other appropriate regulatory and non-regulatory
options for egg products.
In addition to moving toward a science-based, preventive approach to food
safety, the Administration continues to improve the effectiveness of food
safety inspections. Specifically, the additional funds requested for FY 1998
will allow the FDA to add inspectors to implement seafood HACCP and to expand
its program to develop additional mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with
United States trading partners ensuring that imported foods are produced and
manufactured under systems that offer comparable safety measures to those
used in the United States. With the new funds, FDA will also be able to
provide
technical assistance to foreign countries on safe growing and handling
practices.
The Administration already is taking steps to put in place the new National
Early Warning System President Clinton announced in January to track and
combat outbreaks of foodborne illness. This fiscal year, two new FoodNet
sentinel
sites were added in New York and Maryland. With funds requested for the
upcoming fiscal year, an eighth site will open. This surveillance system is
supported by the CDC, FDA and USDA, working with state authorities. New
funds included in the FY 1998 budget will also allow these sites to update
technology and build a "fingerprinting" database of bacterial DNA. This
will enable
food safety experts to clear any geographic hurdle to their work by having a
national resource that can help them quickly identify contaminated foods that
are the sources of foodborne illness.
Under the Administration's plan, work will start immediately on a national
public education campaign on safe food handling. Today, an unprecedented
public-private partnership was established among government agencies and
industry and consumer groups to develop a food safety education campaign
aimed at consumers.
Research to develop quick, reliable scientific methods for detecting
contamination -- like the Hepatitis A virus and cyclospora -- will ensure
that public health agencies have the necessary tools to prevent and control
outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. The latest research will also explore how
pathogens become resistant to traditional food preservation techniques such
as heat and refrigeration, and will support new pathogen control methods.
Also under the new initiative, EPA, FDA and the CDC will collaborate with
state and local health departments on research to help health officials
better predict and control outbreaks of waterborne microbial contaminants,
such as
cryptosporidium.
To comment on this service: feedback@www.whitehouse.gov
--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kia hora te marino, kia whakapapa pounamu te moana, kia tere ai te karohirohi
i mua tonu i o koutou huarahi.
-Maori Prayer
(May the calm be widespread, may the sea be as the smooth surface of the
greenstone and may the rays of sunshine forever dance along your pathway)
("\''/").___..--''"`-._
`9_ 9 ) `-. ( ).`-.__.`)
(_Y_.)' ._ ) `._ `. ``-..-'
_..`--'_..-_/ /--'_.' .'
(il).-'' ((i).' ((!.-'
Date: Tue, 13 May 97 07:08:17
>From: "Paul Wiener"
To: "AR-News (to post)"
Message-ID: <199705131408.HAA12053@usr04.primenet.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
KFI is an all-talk radio station situated in Los Angeles, California,
U.S.A. Monday afternoon, two of their programs involved animal
related discussions.
1) The Don and Ken show:
(On live weekdays from 3 P.M. - 7 P.M., Pacific Time,
repeated in part from 3 A.M. - 4 A.M. Tuesday through Saturday)
Don and Ken are two fairly right-wing, cynical, talk-show cohosts who
have in the past demonstrated fairly negative attitudes towards AR
issues, lumping AR workers into the "whacko" category along with
militia members, conspiracy decriers, etc.
Today they conducted a brief interview with someone whose precise
name and job title I unfortunately didn't catch, but who was
apparently a representative of the San Francisco Animal Care and
Control operation. This guest averred that San Francisco was no a
no-kill city (with the exception of seriously ill or dangerous
animals)--and supposedly the only major city to have achieved such a
status.
The guest specified that the city shelters did not transfer
unadoptable animals to other, less merciful, shelters to maintain
their no-kill status. He insisted that homes are being found for
*all* animals. As an example, he described a very old cat with kidney
problems and other health impairments that was recently adopted. He
said the city was well on its way to not having to kill even
seriously ill animals.
On the whole, the interview was very positive and at the end, Ken,
the less insensitive of the two cohosts, confessed that over the last
few years he'd been developing sympathy for the animal rights
viewpoint. John immediately tried to turn Ken's remark into a joke,
but I got the impression that Ken was sincere.
2) The Phil Hendrie Show:
(On live Weekdays from 9-11 P.M. Pacific Time,
repeated in part from 4 A.M. - 5 A.M. Tuesday through Saturday)
Phil Hendrie is a talk show host whose schtick is to pretend to be
different characters by disguising his voice. Amazingly, listeners
are fooled into thinking the impersonations are real. Typically,
Hendrie will introduce a dissimulated character who will appear to be
a normal person with a valid viewpoint at the beginning of the
interview, but who, after the audience is suckered in, will
deteriorate into a vulgar, abusive, person with an agenda different
from the one presented at the onset. Hendrie's motive seems to be to
inspire angered listeners to call in and make idiots out of
themselves for the benefit of those who are in on the joke.
This Monday, one segment of his show was spent in discussion with
(himself pretending to be) a representative of a no-doubt fictional
organization called "Animal Amigos." This imaginary character did a
laudable job of describing the plight of unwanted animals and the
havoc wreaked by irresponsible pet owners, impulse buying, etc. The
discussion even alluded to the harm done by movies like 101
Dalmatians. This was followed by a description of a few made-up
facilities to which listeners were encouraged to bring unwanted
animals so that homes could be found for them.
After Hendrie was sure he'd snookered a fair complement of animal
lovers, the "guest" started experiencing little slips of the tongue
that would lead one to suspect that the facilities he was touting
were actually performing medical research on the animals, or
providing animals to labs that performed such research. Of course,
indignant callers phoned in to take the man to task. The man
responded to their questions with evasions that left little doubt
that such was the impression Hendrie was trying to create.
Because Phil Hendrie is a person who seems to enjoy making his living
by enraging people and making sport of their ignorance, I can't
attribute any positive motive to him in this prank, yet I believe the
broadcast may actually have been valuable. I think it may have helped
to alert people to some of the deceitful stratagems employed by grade
B dealers. Perhaps some animals will be spared being turned over to
labs by unwitting owners as a result of this broadcast.
All in all, this was a fairly positive day for animals on a station
which normally, despite a few public service announcements to the
contrary, is usually not very sympathetic to the AR cause.
Readers who'd like to voice their opinions to KFI staff can reach
either show during its live segment at 800/520-1KFI (that's 534). I'm
not sure whether the toll free number will work outside of the
greater L.A. area, however, the same number (520-1KFI) can also be
used with the area codes 213, 310, and 818. Unfortunately, calls
pertaining to past shows will probably be rejected.
The KFI business office can be reached at 213/385-0101 during
business hours.
________________________________
Paul Wiener
got_the_T-shirt@been-there.com
paulish@cyberjunkie.com
paulish@thepentagon.com
paulish@usa.net
tinea-pedis@bigfoot.com
KJ6AV@callsign.net
- --------------------------------------------------------
http://www.netforward.com/cyberjunkie/?paulish
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Date: Tue, 13 May 97 07:20:57
>From: "Paul Wiener"
To: "AR-News (to post)"
Subject: KFI Radio, Los Angeles Monday 5/12
Message-ID: <199705131420.HAA12534@usr04.primenet.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
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I apologise for having just sent this without a subject header. I now
retransmit with subject.
KFI is an all-talk radio station situated in Los Angeles, California,
U.S.A. Monday afternoon, two of their programs involved animal
related discussions.
1) The Don and Ken show:
(On live weekdays from 3 P.M. - 7 P.M., Pacific Time,
repeated in part from 3 A.M. - 4 A.M. Tuesday through Saturday)
Don and Ken are two fairly right-wing, cynical, talk-show cohosts who
have in the past demonstrated fairly negative attitudes towards AR
issues, lumping AR workers into the "whacko" category along with
militia members, conspiracy decriers, etc.
Today they conducted a brief interview with someone whose precise
name and job title I unfortunately didn't catch, but who was
apparently a representative of the San Francisco Animal Care and
Control operation. This guest averred that San Francisco was no a
no-kill city (with the exception of seriously ill or dangerous
animals)--and supposedly the only major city to have achieved such a
status.
The guest specified that the city shelters did not transfer
unadoptable animals to other, less merciful, shelters to maintain
their no-kill status. He insisted that homes are being found for
*all* animals. As an example, he described a very old cat with kidney
problems and other health impairments that was recently adopted. He
said the city was well on its way to not having to kill even
seriously ill animals.
On the whole, the interview was very positive and at the end, Ken,
the less insensitive of the two cohosts, confessed that over the last
few years he'd been developing sympathy for the animal rights
viewpoint. John immediately tried to turn Ken's remark into a joke,
but I got the impression that Ken was sincere.
2) The Phil Hendrie Show:
(On live Weekdays from 9-11 P.M. Pacific Time,
repeated in part from 4 A.M. - 5 A.M. Tuesday through Saturday)
Phil Hendrie is a talk show host whose schtick is to pretend to be
different characters by disguising his voice. Amazingly, listeners
are fooled into thinking the impersonations are real. Typically,
Hendrie will introduce a dissimulated character who will appear to be
a normal person with a valid viewpoint at the beginning of the
interview, but who, after the audience is suckered in, will
deteriorate into a vulgar, abusive, person with an agenda different
from the one presented at the onset. Hendrie's motive seems to be to
inspire angered listeners to call in and make idiots out of
themselves for the benefit of those who are in on the joke.
This Monday, one segment of his show was spent in discussion with
(himself pretending to be) a representative of a no-doubt fictional
organization called "Animal Amigos." This imaginary character did a
laudable job of describing the plight of unwanted animals and the
havoc wreaked by irresponsible pet owners, impulse buying, etc. The
discussion even alluded to the harm done by movies like 101
Dalmatians. This was followed by a description of a few made-up
facilities to which listeners were encouraged to bring unwanted
animals so that homes could be found for them.
After Hendrie was sure he'd snookered a fair complement of animal
lovers, the "guest" started experiencing little slips of the tongue
that would lead one to suspect that the facilities he was touting
were actually performing medical research on the animals, or
providing animals to labs that performed such research. Of course,
indignant callers phoned in to take the man to task. The man
responded to their questions with evasions that left little doubt
that such was the impression Hendrie was trying to create.
Because Phil Hendrie is a person who seems to enjoy making his living
by enraging people and making sport of their ignorance, I can't
attribute any positive motive to him in this prank, yet I believe the
broadcast may actually have been valuable. I think it may have helped
to alert people to some of the deceitful stratagems employed by grade
B dealers. Perhaps some animals will be spared being turned over to
labs by unwitting owners as a result of this broadcast.
All in all, this was a fairly positive day for animals on a station
which normally, despite a few public service announcements to the
contrary, is usually not very sympathetic to the AR cause.
Readers who'd like to voice their opinions to KFI staff can reach
either show during its live segment at 800/520-1KFI (that's 534). I'm
not sure whether the toll free number will work outside of the
greater L.A. area, however, the same number (520-1KFI) can also be
used with the area codes 213, 310, and 818. Unfortunately, calls
pertaining to past shows will probably be rejected.
The KFI business office can be reached at 213/385-0101 during
business hours.
________________________________
Paul Wiener
got_the_T-shirt@been-there.com
paulish@cyberjunkie.com
paulish@thepentagon.com
paulish@usa.net
tinea-pedis@bigfoot.com
KJ6AV@callsign.net
- --------------------------------------------------------
http://www.netforward.com/cyberjunkie/?paulish
________________________________
Paul Wiener
got_the_T-shirt@been-there.com
paulish@cyberjunkie.com
paulish@thepentagon.com
paulish@usa.net
tinea-pedis@bigfoot.com
KJ6AV@callsign.net
- --------------------------------------------------------
http://www.netforward.com/cyberjunkie/?paulish
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Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 10:13:41 -0400
>From: "Patrick Tohill"
To:
Subject: (CA) Press Release On Bear Gall Trade
Message-ID: <199705131426.KAA01509@bretweir.total.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Patrick Tohill, Communications Officer (416) 369-0044
Canada a Center for International Trafficking in
Bears Killed for Korean Consumers
TORONTO, May 12, 1997--Korea is the primary consumer of bear parts and
Canada is one of several chief suppliers according to a report released
today by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). South
Korean authorities turn a blind eye as thousands of bears are killed each
year to supply its people's demand for galls and other bear parts.
Internationally, the illegal trade in wildlife is an $8 billion a year
business, according to an Interpol estimate.
South Korea is at the center of a vast underground network trading in
illegal wildlife, especially bears and bear parts. Having virtually wiped
out their own bears, South Koreans travel as far as Alaska, Ecuador,
Siberia and Sri Lanka in their search for bear parts. Bear gall bladders
and bear bile are an important part of traditional Korean medicine.
Originally prescribed to treat serious ailments such as liver disease,
Koreans are now using it more frequently as a self-prescribed health tonic
or pick-me-up. In Korea, bear gall is worth more, gram for gram, than gold
or cocaine, putting a price on the head of every bear.
Canada is an important part of this illegal network, according to WSPA.
Poaching is rampant throughout much of the country. Undercover
investigations have revealed that Quebec, in particular, is a principal
center for the worldwide trade in bear galls. Quebec is suspected of being
a chief supplier for markets in Toronto, Montreal, South Korea and much of
Asia.
Trading in bear parts is illegal in all provinces except Quebec, Nova
Scotia and the Northwest Territories. As the law applies only to galls
taken from bears in a given province, poachers in other provinces are able
to funnel bear parts through Quebec dealers. Galls can then be brought back
into a province as galls from bears killed in Quebec. This process is known
as laundering. WSPA estimates that poachers kill as many as 30,000 Canadian
bears each year.
WSPA's report reaches the following conclusions: The consumption of bear
parts by South Koreans around the world is a national disgrace. The South
Korean government has shown a total lack of political will to do anything
to curb the illegal trade in bear parts. Public exposure of the country's
role in the bear parts trade and intense international pressure--such as
trade sanctions and consumer boycotts of Korean products--are the only way
to persuade the South Korean authorities to end this threat to the world's
remaining bears.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
prohibits all trade of Appendix I species (includes all Asian bear species
and the Grizzly) and requires a special permit be issued to trade in
Appendix II species (North American black bear and the polar bear). South
Korea is a late and reluctant party to CITES, having joined in 1993 and
only after being threatened with potential trade sanctions. Despite joining
CITES, South Korean authorities have exempted themselves from the
provisions of the treaty relating to North American and Russian bears
"because of the importance of bear bile as a medicine to Korean people."
These reservations threaten bears in Canada and the U.S., where loopholes
in legislation make it easy for poachers to export bear galls to the East,
and put increasing pressure on endangered Asiatic bear populations. In much
the same way that western culture places a higher value on a diamond than a
cubic zirconia because the one is more expensive and harder to attain,
Koreans place a higher value on galls taken from wild bears. Galls taken
from Asiatic bears, made scarce from years of exploitation, are the most
highly prized.
Distinguishing one gall bladder from another without the aid of laboratory
analysis is impossible. Korean enforcement officers complain that the main
reason they do not lay more charges is the difficulty in proving the origin
of galls seized in raids. Merchants can claim they obtained the galls
legally from Canada and can often produce papers to prove this.
Investigations into the Korean bear trade have revealed that the
consumption of bears and bear parts is increasing. When China recently
proposed a moratorium on the international trade in bear galls, South Korea
strongly opposed the move. International concern for dwindling bear
populations has prompted many of the parties to CITES to consider taking
further action to protect bears. At the CITES conference in Zimbabwe in
June, parties will decide whether to upgrade Appendix II bear species to
Appendix I. This would effectively ban the trade in their parts. South
Korea is likely to oppose any amendment of this kind.
WSPA is urging Korea to support an international moratorium on the bear
gall trade and to act immediately to enforce existing laws against illegal
wildlife trade and smuggling. Canadians can help by writing to the South
Korean Ambassador: Mr. Hang Kyung Kim, Embassy of the Republic of Korea,
150 Boteler St., Ottawa, Ont., Canada, V1N 5A6.
- 30 -
Patrick Tohill
Communications Officer
WSPA Canada
The World Society for the Protection of Animals has been at the forefront
of animal protection and wildlife conservation for more than 40 years. The
only international animal protection organization recognized by the United
Nations, WSPA represents more than 300 member societies in over 65
countries.
Visit WSPA's website at http://www.way.net/wspa/
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 11:35:12 -0400 (EDT)
>From: JanaWilson@aol.com
To: AR-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Oklahoma Wildlife Dept. Funding
Message-ID: <970513113505_-298193185@emout01.mail.aol.com>
The Oklahoma Wildlife Department will receive a total of
$8 million as its yearly share of federal excise taxes paid by
anglers, boaters, hunters and recreational shooters. This
money is distributed to the states by the US Fish and Wildlife
Service through its Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs.
During the next fiscal year, Oklahoma will get $4.8 million
for fisheries programs and $3.2 million for general wildlife programs.
Wildlife agencies must follow specific guidelines when using
program money and the agencies also must "match" the program
funds with some of their own money, usually from license fees
paid by hunters and anglers.
"Wildlife Restoration funds are particularly important to Oklahoma
because the Wildlife Department does not receive any general
state tax revenue," according to Mr. Harold Namminga, federal
aid coordinator for the Oklahoma Wildlife Dept. "The department
is solely funded by hunting and fishing license fees and fines, these
federal excise revenues, direct contributions and income from the
sale of department products and publications."
Namminga said that according to the most recent US Fish and
Wildlife survey of hunters, anglers and other outdoor recreationists,
more than 244,000 sportsmen and women hunt in Oklahoma each
year. Cumulatively, their spending generates an economic impact
of almost $240 million a year in the state. They are also responsible
for creating more than 3,000 full-time jobs in Oklahoma.
For the Animals,
Jana, OKC
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 11:35:24 -0400 (EDT)
>From: JanaWilson@aol.com
To: AR-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Oklahoma Squirrel Hunting Season
Message-ID: <970513113503_875367375@emout17.mail.aol.com>
According to local Okla. City hunting news:
Oklahoma's longest hunting season, the fox and gray squirrel
season, begins this coming Thursday. It is a long standing
hunting tradition which provides "outdoor enthusiasts" with an
excellent opportunity to get out into the woods and enjoy one
of the most pleasant times of the year.
According to Mr. Alan Peoples, assistant chief of game for
the Okla. Wildlife Dept., "It really is a wonderful time of year
to be outdoors. Mild weather, generous limits and plenty of
places to hunt make squirrel season one of the best hunting
opportunities in the state." He also said that many of the
state's public hunting areas offer squirrel hunters an opportunity
to enjoy a day afield. In fact, early season squirrel hunters
often find very little competition for space, even at most of
the public hunting areas. Hunters who ask courteously also
will find that many private landowners will give squirrel hunters
permission to hunt them on their property.
The daily limits on the fox and gray squirrels are 10 in aggrevate,
with 20 allowed in possession after the first day. Hunting hours
are one half-hour before official sunrise to official sunset.
For the Animals,
Jana, OKC
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 11:36:20 -0400 (EDT)
>From: JanaWilson@aol.com
To: AR-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Oklahoma Deer Hunting Regulation Changes
Message-ID: <970513113509_1290376872@emout07.mail.aol.com>
The Oklahoma Wildlife Commission voted last week to double the
number of "doe days" for primitive and modern firearms deer hunters.
They also authorized a private land elk hunt in three southwestern
Okla. counties. It will be held in November in Caddo, Kiowa and
Commanche counties.
"Anterless hunting opportunties will be expanded across the entire
state during muzzleloader and gun seasons, with the exception of a
portion of the Panhandle, which will be open to antlerless harvest
opening day of gun season only" according to Richard Hatcher,
game chief.
"For the remainder of the state, anterless days will be expanded to
allow doe harvest on the last weekend of muzzleloader season
(two days) and double the number of days offered in each unit
last gun season.
"This fall, doe days during gun season will be split between the
opening and closing of the season. For example, in the northwest,
where hunters were allowed to take does during the first three days
of last gun season, they will be able to hunt does the first three
days and the last three days of this year's season. All of the
expanded opportunities will be outlined in this year's hunting
regulations, which should be available this summer."
Hatcher also said that the department recommended increasing
doe days to help control deer depedation problems and to provide
additional hunting opportunities. He added that although the number
of does killed last year was up substantially, the dept. biologists hope
to further increase the doe harvest.
According to Hatcher, "The statewide doe harvest comprises about
27 percent of the total deer harvest. We would like to see the doe
harvest increase to around 35 percent to control herd growth. In the
northwest, that percentage may need to be pushed to 40 before
deer numbers stabilize at acceptable levels.
"We certainly encourage those landowners who are having deer
depredation problems to allow hunters access to their property.
And we would also encourage them to instruct hunters to capitalize
on an opportunity to harvest a doe," he also added.
For the Animals,
Jana, OKC
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 12:02:12 -0400
>From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Red River Flood Vegetarian Food Relief Fund
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970513120209.006cae08@clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
posted for wva@MBnet.MB.CA :
----------------------------------------------
** RED RIVER FLOOD VEGETARIAN FOOD RELIEF FUND **
Hello friends:
In the last two weeks the Red River Valley in Southern Manitoba (Canada) and
North Dakota (US) has been devastated by a major flood, greater than anything
we've seen in the last hundred years. Tens of thousands of Manitobans and
North Dakotans have been forced to evacuate their homes and will be returning
to significant property damage and financial losses. Hundreds of plant-based
agricultural producers will face severe delays and challenges in the planting
of their crops.
The Winnipeg Vegetarian Association is coordinating an international effort
to establish a relief fund to provide vegetarian food to those directly
affected by the flood. The WVA will use the fund to purchase packaged
vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes -- organic where possible -- to be
donated to the major food banks for distribution to those in need.
Our goal is to raise $20,000 for the relief fund.
Please contribute generously by sending your cheque or money order to:
Winnipeg Vegetarian Association
Box 2721
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
R3C 4B3
Make your contributions payable to the Winnipeg Vegetarian Association and
mark on the bottom "Red River Flood Vegetarian Food Relief Fund".
We welcome contributions of any size and from all nations making this a
truly world-wide effort.
Please also circulate this request to your friends and members of your
local vegetarian group.
Thank you for your kind support.
Dennis Bayomi
President
Winnipeg Vegetarian Association
Box 2721
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
R3C 4B3
Phone: (204)889-5789
e-mail: WVA@mbnet.mb.ca
WWW: http://www.mbnet.mb.ca/~wva/index.html
FOR YOUR HEALTH...FOR THE ANIMALS...FOR THE ENVIRONMENT...GO
VEGETARIAN !
Date: Tue, 13 May 97 12:26:51 -0500
>From: Karin Zupko
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Allow Companion Animals in Public Housing
Message-ID: <9705131726.AA02050@titan.ma.neavs.com>
CALLS NEEDED TODAY!
Vote Scheduled for 5 pm!
Allow Companion Animals in Public Housing!
Please call your Congressional representative and ask her or him not
to allow the committee language to be amended in Title 6 of H.R. 2.
Currently, the bill allows people in public housing to have pets
subject to local laws and building management supervision. The
attempted amendments would restrict pet ownership to senior citizens
and certain handicapped people.
If you don't know your Congressperson, call the house switchboard at
202-224-3121. Thank you.
Note: I use "pet" here and "ownership," because that is the language
of the bill. I prefer "companion animal" and "guardianship."
Date: Tue, 13 May 97 12:28:00 -0500
>From: Karin Zupko
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Allow Companion Animals in Public Housing
Message-ID: <9705131728.AA02057@titan.ma.neavs.com>
CALLS NEEDED TODAY!
Vote Scheduled for 5 pm!
Allow Companion Animals in Public Housing!
Please call your Congressional representative and ask her or him not
to allow the committee language to be amended in Title 6 of H.R. 2.
Currently, the bill allows people in public housing to have pets
subject to local laws and building management supervision. The
attempted amendments would restrict pet ownership to senior citizens
and certain handicapped people.
If you don't know your Congressperson, call the house switchboard at
202-224-3121. Thank you.
Note: I use "pet" here and "ownership," because that is the language
of the bill. I prefer "companion animal" and "guardianship."
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 16:12:24 -0400 (EDT)
>From: Pat Fish
To: "* You * (and others?)":;@fang.cs.sunyit.edu
Subject: Computers & AR/Veg
Message-ID:
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
If anybody wants to get the semi-regular dispatch from Computer
Professionals for Earth and Animals, e-mail me. Topics include which
technology companies are naughty and nice, who's testing on animals, who's
spewing CFCs, etc.
-Pat
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 16:57:21 -0400 (EDT)
>From: Debbie Leahy
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Aurora Cancels Animal Show
Message-ID: <01IITTRSEFZ69PNYC3@delphi.com>
MIME-version: 1.0
Content-type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
AURORA CANCELS EXOTIC ANIMAL SHOW AT SPORTS FESTIVAL
Illinois Animal Action just received word from the office of the
Honorable Mayor David Stover, City of Aurora, that they have
decided to cancel Land O'Lorin's exotic animal show, which had been
scheduled to appear during the Aurora Sports Festival on May 15.
Many thanks to those who helped with phone calls!
Thank you letters may be sent to:
Mayor David Stover
City of Aurora
44 E. Downer Place
Aurora, IL 60506
Phone) 630/892-8811
Fax) 630/892-8967
-------------------------------------------------------------
Illinois Animal Action
P.O. Box 507
Warrenville, IL 60555
630/393-2935
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 17:58:50 -0400
>From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: PeTA Endorses Vegan Standards and Certification Project
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970513175848.006f46e0@clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/enriched; charset="us-ascii"
This is posted for the Vegan Standards and Certification Project
http://www.veganstandards.org/ (VSCP):
------------------------------------
ANNOUNCEMENT
--------------------------
PeTA has given their endorsement to Vegan Standards and Certification
Project, Inc. and the Certified Vegan Seal. As the largest animal rights
organization in the country, PeTA's endorsement will provide even greater
credibility to VSCP in the eyes of vegan product manufacturers.
Any organizations wishing to add their name to the growing list of animal
and vegetarian organizations which endorse VSCP should e-mail
VeganStandards@ibm.net.
Hillary Morris
Vegan Standards and Certification Project, Inc.
91 Joralemon Street
Suite 4
Brooklyn, NY 11201
email: VeganStandards@ibm.net
www.veganstandards.org
718-246-0014
fax: 718-246-5912
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 18:29:15 -0400 (EDT)
>From: PAWS
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Response to Steve Kendall
Message-ID:
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Steven Kendall of the Animal Care Association, a pro-circus
lobbying group, published a letter in the May 12th issue of USA Today
about the death of Wayne Franzen, who was killed by a tiger duing a
circus performance in Pennsylvania last Wednesday.
Following is PAWS response to Kendall's letter:
Letters Editor
USA Today
Dear Editor,
I read with great interest Steve Kendall's letter ("Circus Animals
Treated Like Family") about circus owner Wayne Franzen who was killed by
a tiger during a performance. Circus advocates and promoters such as
Kendall always attempt to reassure circus goers by touting their
"experienced" and professional trainers. According to Kendall, Franzen
had more than 23 years of experience and "knew the risks" of working with
exotic animals. Nevertheless, he was not able to prevent the attack in
the ring from happening or to save his own life. If such "experienced"
trainers cannot protect themselves from death and injury, how can they
protect the general public? Furthermore, Kendall maintains that animals
in circuses are worked with "food rewards." I worked in Hollywood with
all types of animals--from monkeys to elephants--for 15 years and I can
guarantee you that working an animal for treats will never produce
behaviors "on command" when a curtain goes up or a camera rolls.
There were other victims that night besides Wayne Franzen. Perhaps he
was prepared to take the risks he took. None of the 200 children in the
audience, however, had the choice of not being traumatized for life by
what they saw. Add to these, the children who were on the elephant
Janet's back when she rampaged in Palm Bay, Florida (February, 1992); the
hundreds who witnessed a tiger being burned while jumping through a
flaming hoop (August 5, 1994); the hundreds of others who saw the
elephant, Tyke, kill her trainer in Honolulu (August 20, 1994); and the
dozens of children terrorized when two elephants rampaged out of a circus
tent and into a crowd in Queens, New York (July 10, 1995) and you will
see who the true victims of this so-called "family entertainment" are.
The day will soon come when the public will no longer choose to patronize
circuses which keep live animals in terrible conditions and terrorize
them, causing them, in turn, to terrorize the audience. Circuses would
be better served by phasing out the use of live animals, a move that
would promote both animal welfare and public safety.
Sincerely,
Pat Derby
Director
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 19:02:09 -0600 (MDT)
>From: Jennifer Kolar
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: lobsters
Message-ID: <199705140102.TAA07885@monsoon.colorado.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-MD5: yaW8cexwvnl1oowqtIAzDg==
"Live lobsters will be sold to benefit a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS) charity.
Please call 1-800-377-4383 and politely explain to them what you think of
the sale of sentient beings to boiled alive to benefit a charity for other
sentient beings.
Thank you."
_______________
Elli Johnson erj@csn.net
Jennifer Kolar jkolar@monsoon.colorado.edu
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 21:12:51 -0400
>From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (SE) Kangaroo Bewilders Rural Sweden
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970513211248.006b965c@clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
from AP Wire page:
-----------------------------
05/13/1997 20:29 EST
Kangaroo Bewilders Rural Sweden
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) -- When a rural Swedish woman set out some
sunflower seeds, she attracted the wildlife she expected -- but not the
kangaroo that
showed up.
Vivi Berglund told the Swedish news agency TT that her unexpected guest
showed
up about 4 a.m. while she was sleeping. A howling house cat alerted her to
the
kangaroo's presence.
When Berglund sat up in bed and looked out the window, she couldn't
believe what
she saw. ``I turned on the lamp so I could see better, but he sprang
away,'' she said.
Eventually, the kangaroo came back.
Berglund and her husband, Bo, reported the incident to police in nearby
Hagfors,
about 165 miles northwest of Stockholm. They, too, found it hard to believe.
``People here have reported seeing wolves and lynx and so on,'' officer Kjell
Birgersson told TT on Tuesday. ``But never a kangaroo.''
But then another woman in the area reported seeing the bouncy beast. And a
forest
ranger inspected some animal tracks and confirmed they were made by a
kangaroo.
With that question answered, authorities now are trying to figure out
where the
marsupial came from. No zoos or circuses in the region have reported any
missing.
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 21:14:01 -0400
>From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (CA) Man In Animals-Extortion Scheme
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970513211359.006cf804@clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
from AP Wire page:
-----------------------------
05/13/1997 19:36 EST
Man In Animals-Extortion Scheme
TORONTO (AP) -- A Toronto man who allegedly threatened to kill a baby
raccoon and
a Canada goose unless bystanders gave him money faces charges of extortion.
Peter Lerat, 33, told witnesses on a Toronto street Sunday he would bash
in the
head of the 10-week-old raccoon unless someone gave him $50. He was arrested
after a bus driver alerted police.
Authorities later euthanized the raccoon because it was found to have a
badly broken
jaw.
Lerat also is accused of extorting $60 from a customer in a doughnut shop
on April
24 by threatening to break the neck of a Canada goose he was holding. He
reportedly released the goose when he received the money.
Lerat appeared in court on Monday, but not before he made another bizarre
move:
He stripped off his clothes and tried to enter the court in the buff.
His motive was unclear. He put his clothes back on before entering the
courtroom.
Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 21:24:58 -0400
>From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (FR) French Farmers Condemn Beef Ruling
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970513212455.006ce09c@clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
from AP Wire page:
----------------------------
05/13/1997 19:22 EST
French Farmers Condemn Beef Ruling
PARIS (AP) -- French farmers on Tuesday criticized a preliminary World Trade
Organization ruling that could allow U.S. farmers to sell their
hormone-treated beef in
Europe.
A farmers union condemned the ruling -- which said the European Union's
ban on
U.S. beef treated with growth hormones is not based on sound scientific
evidence --
as ``unacceptable for Europeans.''
``To authorize the import of hormone-treated beef would amount to
destroying what
was patiently constructed by all the member states'' of the European
Union, the
Permanent Assembly of Agriculture Chambers said.
The group called on France and the 15-nation European Union to fight the
decision.
A second farmers group, the Office of the National Center of Young
Farmers, also
strongly protested the ruling.
The ruling has not been made public, but was provided to U.S. and European
trade
officials last week. Both sides have 30 days to file comments before the
WTO panel
issues a final ruling, which can then be appealed.
U.S. agriculture interests have argued for years that the EU ban was an
unfair trade
barrier because it wasn't based on scientific fact.
Under WTO rules, if the U.S. position is upheld on appeal, European countries
would either have to drop their ban on U.S. hormone-treated beef or
provide trade
compensation in the amount of the injury to U.S. producers.
The U.S. beef industry contends it is losing $250 million annually in
potential sales
in Europe because of the ban.
Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 11:47:31 +0800
>From: bunny
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Alarm greets contraceptive virus.[Aust]
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970514114107.193f13e6@wantree.com.au>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Alarm greets contraceptive virus.
In "New Scientist" 26th April 1997, Ian Anderson (Australasian editor) wrote :
"A live genetically engineered virus has been used to stop mice getting
pregnant. The Australian scientists who achieved the feat hope one day to
use similar viruses to prevent the mouse "plagues" that periodically engulf
parts of Australia, and to control other pest species.
But some scientists familiar with the work argue that if the contraceptive
viruses were to infect species that are not pests, they could cause an
ecological disaster. They say that the risks are so great that the modified
viruses should never be released. Even the scientists responsible for the
research warn that the contraceptive viruses could wreak havoc if they
escaped from a country where the target species is a pest to another where
the same animal is a valued part of the fauna.
"The technology has immense potential" says Lyn Hinds, deputy director of
research at the Vertebrate
Biocontrol Cooperative Research Centre in Canberra, run by the CSIRO, which
is Australia's national research agency, and also the Australian National
University in Canberra and two agencies of the Western Australia state
government. But she adds: "We are a long way from introducing it into the
field and are well aware of the need for public debate and international
concensus before that happens."
Research groups world wide are experimenting with contraceptive vaccines -
both for controlling animal populations and for developing a human
contraceptive. The vaccines work by tricking the body into treating proteins
from eggs or sperm as foreign invaders. This triggers the body to make
antibodies that block fertilisation.
But the technique developed by Hinds and her colleagues goes one step
further by putting the gene for a protein found on the zona pellucida, the
protective layer that surrounds the egg, into a virus. Infected mice not
only produce antibodies against the protein, but should also pass the virus
on to other mice, spreading infertility throughout the population.
Hinds's colleagues Ron Jackson, Ian Ramshaw and Debbie Maguire inserted the
gene which codes for a protein called ZP3 into the ectromelia virus, which
infects laboratory mice. Thirteen females were infected with the virus.
After 14 days, they were paired with males. Nine females had no offspring,
and four produced two pups each. Mice infected with the virus without the
gene for ZP3 all produced litters of six or more pups.
In a separate experiment, the researchers found that the mice become fertile
as the levels of antibody in their bodies decreased. But after receiving a
booster infection of the engineered virus, they become infertile again. The
researchers have shown that, apart from preventing fertilisation, the
antibodies disrupt the formation of egg cells in the ovaries, which should
cause a contraceptive effect of up to six months. This would be enough to
prevent mouse plagues, says Hinds, since wild mice rarely live longer than
eight months.
The ectromelia virus does not infect wild mice. But Geoff Shellam and Mal
Lawson of the University of Western Australia in Perth are now experimenting
with mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV), which does occur naturally in the wild.
Researchers say it should be possible to use other contraceptive viruses to
target mammals other than mice that have run riot in Australia, including
rabbits, feral pigs and cats. Scientists are investigating the use of the
method to control the brush tail possum in New Zealand, an animal introduced
from Australia. Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam are interested in using it
to control the field rat, which destroys rice crops.
Before any of these projects go ahead, however,scientists need to assess the
risks posed by releasing contraceptive viruses. In a paper given at a
conference on wildlife contraception, published last week, Kent Williams of
the CSIRO's Division of Wildlife and Ecology in Canberra warns that a virus
"might travel by natural processes that are unimpeded by international
boundaries."
Then there is the possibility that a virus could infect and sterilise
species other than its intended target. MCMV is thought to only infect house
mice, but extensive tests will be needed to show this is the case. Hinds
believes that no field releases are likely before 2005.
Given the potential dangers, some scientists argue that viruses should never
be released. Jay Kirkpatrick of ZooMontana in Billings, Montana, who has
used zona pellucida vaccines delivered by dart gun or injection to limit the
reproduction of animals including deer and elephants, argues that scientists
should not be reassured by tests showing that a virus infects only target
species. "What safeguards do we have that it wont mutate and infect other
species?"."
End
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kia hora te marino, kia whakapapa pounamu te moana, kia tere ai te karohirohi
i mua tonu i o koutou huarahi.
-Maori Prayer
(May the calm be widespread, may the sea be as the smooth surface of the
greenstone and may the rays of sunshine forever dance along your pathway)
("\''/").___..--''"`-._
`9_ 9 ) `-. ( ).`-.__.`)
(_Y_.)' ._ ) `._ `. ``-..-'
_..`--'_..-_/ /--'_.' .'
(il).-'' ((i).' ((!.-'
Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 11:51:09 +0800
>From: bunny
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Zinc Phosphide approved as mouse bait{Victoria,Aust}
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970514114445.366f13f2@wantree.com.au>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Zinc phosphide gains approval as mouse poison (Victoria,Australia)
Approval given to Victorian farmers for aerial and ground
baiting with this noxious chemical. Thousands of hectares
of grain areas may be blanketed with zinc phosphide
(a world first), to kill wild house mice. What will the
effects be on non-target animals and birds?
Go-ahead on mouse poison.
(Weekly Times, Victoria, 7th May 1997)
Reporter Joanne Collins, Grains writer, wrote
"Victoria's mouse-afflicted farmers have been given permission to
use zinc phosphide as a ground bait on the eve of sowing.
Approval by the National Registration Authority follows months
of intense lobbying by the Victorian Farmers
Federation Grains Group and extensive trials by the
department of Natural Resources and Environment.
While the NRA approved zinc phosphide for aerial baiting
some weeks ago, its use as a ground bait was witheld
due to occupational health and safety concerns.
State Agriculture Minister Pat McNamara said the NRA had,
taken an "overly cautious" approach in approving
the control agent.
"The department approved use for the state's farmers and
then we had to sit twiddling our thumbs for six months,"
Mr McNamara said.
Only farmers with Agricultural Chemicals Users Permits
and those who have completed an approved farm chemical
user's course would be eligible to use the control agent,
Mr McNamara said.
Grains Group president, David Thomas" said the approval
was timely as many farmers would soon be looking to
sow following good weekend rainfall across the grain belt.
"This is very, very good news for the grain growers...
but it has been a long, hard slog getting approval," Mr
Thomas said.
Mr McNamara said 40 tonnes of zinc phosphide was
available to use - enough to bait 40,000 ha and enough to
combat current numbers.
Baiting will cost farmers $8/ha for aerial applications
and $3-4/ha for ground baiting.
Mr Thomas expected the bait would only be applied aerially
in the Wimmera, where farmers had a high rate of
return per hectare.
Farmers wanting to use the bait should contact their local NRE office."
END
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kia hora te marino, kia whakapapa pounamu te moana, kia tere ai te karohirohi
i mua tonu i o koutou huarahi.
-Maori Prayer
(May the calm be widespread, may the sea be as the smooth surface of the
greenstone and may the rays of sunshine forever dance along your pathway)
("\''/").___..--''"`-._
`9_ 9 ) `-. ( ).`-.__.`)
(_Y_.)' ._ ) `._ `. ``-..-'
_..`--'_..-_/ /--'_.' .'
(il).-'' ((i).' ((!.-'
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