Month: November 2020

General News

Indecent Proposal

We got an interesting mail from the Animal Liberation Press Office!

Two men who signed up for the FBI were visiting a well-known animal rights activist and press officer and asked him if he would be willing to work with law enforcement.
They had specific ideas about how this “cooperation” should work.

They wanted to somehow protect the animal rights movement of “extremists” so that these ones would not invade the ranks of animal rights groups.
They asked the activists if he would be willing to be a link between law enforcement and the animal rights scene.
In modern language, this is called having an informant, but you don’t spit that out at the first meeting!

The activist said he doesn’t answer questions and certainly doesn’t want to work with law enforcement agencies.
The rest, highly interesting, is in this article.

FBI Visits Animal Liberation Press Officer’s Home (New York)

Obviously, animal rights activism has become so intense and widespread that this system, which is responsible for animal slavery and animal exploitation, is already worrying.

We publish this interesting case preventively.
You never know which “proposal” may come next.
And above all by whom.

My best regards to all, Venus

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News

EU: Public health concerns should prompt permanent closure of all mink farms in Europe.

Minks are kept in their cages at a farm in Gjoel in North Jutland, Denmark, as the nation prepares to cull all farmed mink

Our WAV recent post on this:

https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/11/05/denmark-announces-cull-of-15-million-mink-over-covid-mutation-fears/

Public health concerns should prompt permanent closure of all mink farms in Europe

5 November 2020

COVID-19 spreading in mink farms all over Europe

The recent and quite upsetting development with mink farms in Denmark prompted the Danish Government to announce that all the 15 million minks reared in more than 1,000 farms will be culled. 

The decision has been taken after discovering that 12 people in the Jutland region, after entering in contact with minks, have been infected with a genetically changed form of coronavirus.

This indicates that new strands of coronavirus are developing in Danish mink farms which could potentially undermine the international efforts to combat the virus. 

The State Serum Institute, the official Danish authority for pandemics and infectious diseases, warned that a mutation could interfere with the effectiveness of future vaccines.

The problem, though, is not limited to Denmark. The virus is spreading in Swedish and Italian farms too. So far only the Netherlands reacted putting forward a ban on mink farming, previously scheduled for 2024.

Captive minks could also infect wild animals, if, for example, an infected mink escapes a farm. Once this virus gets established in wild animals, we would have a very hard time getting rid of it. 

The current circumstances are showing that fur farming is not only cruel and unethical, but that it also constitutes a real risk for the health of European citizens.

That’s why we call on the European Commission to urge Member States to follow the Dutch example: closing permanently all mink farms. As millions of animals would unfortunately be culled, we also call on the EC to monitor that this is done humanely, and according to the requirements of the EU legislation.

Commented Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals 

Farm Animals, General News

Event – ‘What could the EU and China for Animals?’. Register to Take Part and Find Out More.

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Event – What could the EU and China do for Animals?

6 November 2020

Join us on Wednesday 18 November to discuss what the EU and China could do for Animals, and how this could also benefit public health and climate change.

In 2017, China’s Vice-Minister for Agriculture Yu Kangzhen indicated China’s willingness to work on comprehensive legislation on animal welfare. 

Now that the European Commission has announced the long-awaited review of its animal welfare standards in the Farm to Fork strategy, it seems to be even more urgent to discuss what the EU and China could do for animals. Especially considering the vast challenges humanity is facing: the climate emergency, the spread of zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance, and their links to the way society deals with animals.

The two hours event, hosted by MEP Niels Fuglsang (S&D, DK), will bring together academics, Chinese and European stakeholders, NGOs, representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as Member States, and will be the opportunity to launch the  Eurogroup for Animals’ new report ‘What could the EU and China for Animals?’.

 Find more information on the agenda and registration here. 

Environmental, Farm Animals, General News

Did you know that these 21 musicians are all Vegan ?

 Mozza (Morrissey).

Did you know that these 21 musicians are all Vegan ?

Check it out at:

Did You Know These 21 Musicians Are All Vegan?

Veganism is gaining momentum around the world. And vegan musicians are leading the trend.

Plant-based, cruelty-free living is becoming popular in industries everywhere; many doctors are promoting the health benefits of vegan food, fashion designers are featuring animal-free materials in their work, and athletes are adopting plant-based diets to boost performance.

The music scene is just as involved. More and more artists are going vegan and many are keen to let their fans know about it.

Why Celebrities Go Vegan

Various factors motivate celebrities to go vegan. Health is a major motivator. A growing body of research is finding links between meat, dairy, and eggs, and disease. Animal products often contain high levels of saturated and trans fats, which can increase blood cholesterol. High cholesterol can increase the risk of peripheral artery disease, stroke, and heart attack.

More than ever, celebrities are doing their part for the planet by updating their diet. Animal agriculture is to blame for more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation sector combined. It also uses vastly more land and water than plant-based farming.

Animal welfare is another leading reason that celebrities go vegan. The meat, dairy, and egg industries are rife with animal welfare violations. More musicians are making the connection between what’s on their plate and the animal it’s sourced from, and boycotting animal products to take a stand against cruelty.

Benefits Of A Vegan Diet

The decision to adopt a vegan diet could bring with it a range of health benefits. Plant-based food, by nature, contains no cholesterol; cholesterol is only found in animal products. Vegan food also contains good amounts of fibre, while animal-based foods have none. Cholesterol-free, fibre-rich diets lower the risk of disease and can extend lifespan. Data collected from 185 observational studies said that individuals who eat the most fibre are 15 to 30 percent less likely to die prematurely. Fibre-rich diets were also connected to a 16 to 24 percent reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and colon cancer.

Vegan Diet And The Climate

Vegan lifestyles are good for the planet’s health, too. Eating animal-product-free can help clean the planet and save resources.

According to the 2014 documentary Cowspiracy, 70 to 90 percent of freshwater pollution in western countries is linked to animal agriculture. A study by the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), which was published in Nature in 2018, found that a vegan diet uses five times less water than a meat-based one.

The most comprehensive analysis of farming’s impact on the planet looked at data from 40,000 farms in 119 countries. Researchers found that if everyone on the planet went vegan, global farmland use would drop by 75 percent. This move would free up landmass the size of Australia, China, the EU, and the U.S. combined.

Oxford University researcher Joseph Poore, who led the study, stated: “A vegan diet is probably the single biggest way to reduce your impact on planet Earth, not just greenhouse gases, but global acidification, eutrophication, land use and water use.”

Fingers and Toes Crossed !

General News

Bullfighting and politicians who support it: a shame for Europe

Spain, PACMA – Partido Animalista

For months, the government has tried to avoid deliberately talking about the aid it would allocate to the bullfighting sector. But, finally, he has decided to support him with public money, as always, yielding to his pressures.

First, already last June, the Minister of Culture and Sports, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, announced that workers in the bullfighting sector could avail themselves of the CREA fund, a line of credit of 40 million euros for «professionals of the Fine Arts”(!!!)

And now, when we are still in the middle of unprecedented health and social crisis, and instead of allocating public money to strengthen the health system, the Government decides to include an extraordinary aid for workers in the bullfighting sector of 775 euros per month for three months.

More public money for paid animal abusers.

It is inadmissible that the bullfighting sector is favored over artists and technical personnel, who are living in a precarious situation and creating culture.

As has already been demonstrated on several occasions, bullfighting is favored by the administrations: it receives large sums of public money from the autonomies, the municipalities, and the Ministry of Agriculture, it has several foundations that receive subsidies and has received constant treatment of favor in the celebration of festivities in this “new normal”, despite the fact that the breach of security measures has been verified.

However, that does not seem to be enough, and now an extraordinary aid is also approved that will not be enjoyed by the rest of the cultural sectors, which are going through a real crisis.

A government that calls itself progressive should not give aid to bullfighting to desperately try to revive it, but rather work for its definitive ban. In its day, Unidas Podemos promised a referendum on bullfighting, but instead of carrying it out, it gives in to pressure from bullfighting.

The aid, if any, should be aimed at the reconversion of the sector and its workers to other necessary sectors and that do not involve torture and violent death of animals.

As always, PACMA is the only political party that is on the side of the animals, without exceptions or half measures.

We will continue working for the definitive end of bullfighting.

https://pacma.es/el-gobierno-cede-y-aprueba-una-ayuda…/

 

 And I mean…What is Podemos’ promise to hold a referendum to ban bullfighting?

Instead of working to make this mess illegal, the government of PSOE (Socialists) and Podemos are supporting the animal abusers with public money.

In 2007, EU parliamentarians presented a written declaration on an EU-wide ban on bullfighting.
As was to be expected, there were not enough supporters in Parliament at the time.

In November 2013, Spain declared bullfighting as “cultural heritage”, thereby legally protecting the murder in Arenas.
In terms of education, Spain is at the very back of Europe, which is also noticeable in the fact that traditions from the Middle Ages are perceived with enthusiasm and are declared a cultural heritage, which would only deter and disgust any other educated person.

The fact that even children are allowed to watch the bloody spectacle and cruelty to animals shows that only money counts for the bullfighting industry because with it no child can get education, empathy, or humanity.

And that although the majority of the Spanish population is not behind it – only about 14 percent support the senseless bloodshed.

We will not stop fighting this disgrace in Europe.

We won’t look the other way just because some politicians still want to pay protection money to the bullfighting mafia!

My best regards to all, Venus

General News

USA: Kraft Heinz introduces Primal Kitchen vegan mayo.

Kraft Heinz introduces Primal Kitchen vegan mayo

 

Primal Kitchen vegan mayo

OXNARD, CALIF. — Primal Kitchen, a subsidiary of Kraft Heinz Co., is launching a line of vegan mayo dips and spreads made with avocado oil.

The Non-GMO Project verified product is a plant-based, egg-free mayo containing no canola oil, soybean oil, grains or sugar. Certified gluten-free, Whole30 Approved and keto friendly, the mayo is available in three varieties: original, rosemary garlic and jalapeño lime.

“Our Vegan Mayo uses potato protein, a functional ingredient, for emulsification,” said Mark Sisson, founder of Primal Kitchen. “This unique differentiator makes our line paleo-friendly and Whole30 Approved, without using a legume-based emulsifier like pea protein or chickpea water. There really isn’t another vegan mayo out there that checks all the boxes and has a creamy, uncompromisingly delicious flavor.”

Primal Kitchen Vegan Mayo is set to hit refrigerated shelves at Whole Foods Market and Natural Independent Grocers this month and additional retailers nationwide throughout 2020. Each 12-oz jar retails for $9.99.

She Says ‘Cool’.

Farm Animals, General News

Canada’s First Case of Rare Swine Flu Variant Found in Central Alberta Patient.

Canada’s first case of rare swine flu variant found in central Alberta patient.

https://www.cp24.com/news/canada-s-first-case-of-rare-swine-flu-variant-found-in-central-alberta-patient-1.5175007

EDMONTON – Canada’s first case of a rare swine flu variant has been found in a patient from central Alberta, but the province’s chief medical officer of health says it seems to be isolated.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw says the Influenza A H1N2v case was detected in mid-October after the patient showed up at an emergency department for medical care.

“This currently appears to be one isolated case,” Hinshaw said at a news conference Wednesday. “It is also the only case of influenza that has been reported so far this flu season.

“Influenza viruses that normally circulate in pigs, including H1N2, can infect people – although this is not common.”

When cases appear in humans, they are called ‘variant’ viruses and a ‘v’ is added to the end of the name.

Hinshaw said it’s the first reported case of H1N2v in Canada since 2005 when reporting became mandatory – and one of only 27 cases globally.

Health Canada said on its website the other cases include 24 in the United States and two in Brazil.

“Based on current evidence in Canada, the risk to human health is low,” it noted.

The federal agency said swine flu viruses don’t normally infect people, but there have been infrequent exceptions. It can be contracted by humans when they breath in respiratory droplets from an infected pig or touch something with the virus on it and then touch their mouth or nose.

“All have been linked to direct or indirect contact with swine and none of the previously reported cases have caused sustained human-to-human transmission,” added Hinshaw.

The Alberta patient, she said, had mild symptoms, was tested for influenza and COVID-19 as is routine in hospitals, and recovered quickly.

“There is no evidence at this time that the virus has spread further,” she said.

Hinshaw said Alberta Health is working closely with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, as well as Alberta Health Services and the Public Health Agency of Canada, to determine the source of the virus and to verify that no spread has occurred.

“Retrospective testing of central Alberta COVID samples from the past two weeks for influenza is almost complete and no positive influenza samples have been found,” she said.

Hinshaw said Alberta Health Services will offer optional influenza testing to anyone in central Alberta who shows up for COVID-19 testing.

Both she and Dr. Keith Lehman, the province’s chief veterinarian, said they are still investigating the source of the virus.

“At the moment, there are no links to slaughterhouses,” said Hinshaw, who added that they are looking into potential links to some pig farms in the area.

Lehman said the animal health investigation is using information provided by the patient.

“We have identified some potential sources and we are continuing to investigate,” he said.

Lehman added that it’s not unusual to see influenza in swine populations in Western Canada and around the world.

“Within Western Canada, we have routine surveillance that is undertaken for our swine farms and we tend to see anywhere from roughly 10 to 30 cases identified per quarter,” he said. “It is a virus that is not uncommon in our swine populations.”

Lehman said there’s no increased risk to other hog operations because they have strong biosecurity practices to prevent it from spreading. If a pig does contract it, it’s typically a mild illness, he said.

Officials stressed that H1N2 in pigs is not food-related.

“It is not transmissible to people through pork meat or other products that come from pigs and there is no risk associated with eating pork,” said Hinshaw.

General News, Hunting

the unknown life of the wild geese

Animals that are hunted in Germany: wild geese 💔
In the last hunting season (2018/2019) more than 100,000 of these sensitive animals were killed.

Did you know that they have such special properties?

Geese are herd animals and, in the mating season, enter into monogamous relationships that last a lifetime.
Even if their partner dies, they remain alone for the rest of their lives.
They sound the alarm even more sensitively than dogs.
They react sensitively to every strange noise with their warning calls.

Insel der Wildgänse : Auf Amrum gibt es Graugänse wie Sand am Meer | shz.de
Just like us, they can feel emotions.
For example, if the life partner dies, they grieve for a very long time and withdraw.

PETA Deutschland

And I mean…Up to 180,000 Arctic wild geese fly into Germany from the Siberian breeding areas in November and overwinter in the Lower Saxony area.
This makes the Lower Rhine the largest resting area in Western Europe.

Streit über Wildgänse flammt im Frühjahr wieder auf

Decades of persecution have made the geese fearful. At the slightest suspicion, they feel threatened and flee into the air. On the other hand, the animals have got used to the noisy traffic on the streets, it doesn’t bother them at all.

Wild geese need open grassland. If they can find enough to feed there, they don’t have to move to arable land, where they can cause great damage.

The geese from the north will stay in Germany until the end of February.

Wildgänse: Wintergäste aus dem hohen Norden - NABU

The Russian guests are long-distance migrants.
They cover the 6000-kilometer route in just a few stages of up to 1000 kilometers a day.
After the exhausting flight, there is a long break in which the animals strengthen their reserves of strength with plenty of food for the next stage

Abflug der Wildgänse nach Süden - Alla-on-tour.de

The typical wedge formation in flight saves around a third of the energy, as all animals can fly in the slipstream of the first goose. This particularly exhausting position is filled again and again so that the efforts are evenly distributed among all birds in the flock.

The farmers in Germany call wild geese a “nuisance” because the animals very often cannot find any open green space and they access the farmland.
And the hunters, always ready for a radical solution, “help” them to execute several thousand of the animals per year.

For their executions, they have no arguments, only weapons.
And a strong lobby in the government that ensures that everything is legal.

My best regards to all, Venus

Farm Animals, General News

European Food Standard Authority (EFSA) Reiterates That Slaughter Without Stunning Should NOT Be Practiced.

EFSA reiterates that slaughter without stunning should not be practiced.

5 November 2020

A new Scientific Opinion by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) identifies many animal welfare problems likely to occur in cattle at the time of slaughter, and propose measures to minimise and prevent them. Eurogroup for Animals calls on the EU Commission to take the assessment into account for the revision of the Regulation 1099/2009.

The killing of cattle for human consumption (slaughtering) can take place in a slaughterhouse or during on‐farm slaughter. A new EFSA assessment identified 40 hazards, most of them related to stunning and bleeding, that impact the welfare of these animals while slaughtered. 

Particularly, EFSA identified 12 welfare consequences the cattle can be exposed to during slaughter: 

  • Heat stress
  • Cold stress
  • Fatigue
  • Prolonged thirst
  • Prolonged hunger
  • Impeded movement
  • Restriction of movements
  • Resting problems
  • Social stress
  • Pain
  • Fear 
  • Distress

This Scientific Opinion acknowledges that proper management plays a crucial preventive role and that 97.5% of the hazards identified have their origin in the lack of skills of the operators.

Methods are also causing animal welfare problems. In this regard, despite the Panel agreeing with the World Animal Health (OIE) list of unacceptable methods and procedures, it also raises concern towards certain practices, such as the unloading or moving of severely injured cattle, the use of painful stimuli to move animals, and slaughter without stunning. 

EFSA reaffirms that “slaughter without stunning should not be practiced”, acknowledging that “pre-cut stunning is the only preventive measure for the welfare consequences connected with cutting”. 

With this opinion EFSA set a list of hazards, welfare consequences and related corrective and preventive measures.

These findings should be used by the EU Commission to address the OIE standards and hopefully to inform the revision of the Regulation 1099/2009:eliminating all the practices assessed by EFSA as detrimental from an animal welfare perspective, and for which preventive and/or corrective measures do not exist.