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.\
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

;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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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"! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit 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 -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.3ia Charset: cp850 iQCVAwUBM3iD4AAQDcH6qrIRAQHTGgP/RicbBs00skJw1DbqSLd0NdLfUq8UJPlG cKfpTzyGUaovDuBaMqLdp47zA7ClU4gYnOO5LzIH7AaFgC/XO2l9fqH8+QKkGP3D N1AVaCd67NGBS+dbhfyT5cKvaeBPH+cgc6XT95c5S4i0kd9NxMkw7lAZ92Krgenv t+l4XEPGMuQ= =Ak+X -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- 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 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- 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 -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.3ia Charset: cp850 iQCVAwUBM3iG2QAQDcH6qrIRAQGyoAP/dNAdtUIritkUiIRsywUbTJpYEPKNPF2i 04A8oRoENno6zBi/ZgIv8H4A31ALJL27LtajtAm7Zwkf+Xr6OECE2kkPDkoV8uhN rOV2qpKc6sot5bnc6Q8Bn33ZkZ1Myh/rxugwYayk7OgMUWleS3cY0ASU2gQYAoM0 yNn8kcG8BR0= =rtZ5 -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- 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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