Month: December 2020

EU sues Malta!

The Valletta government is coming under increasing pressure for its hunting-friendly policies.
On December 3rd, the European Commission initiated three proceedings against the island nation for violations of the European Birds Directive.
Specifically, it is about the opening of the spring hunt for quail, which is banned in all other EU countries, as well as the catching of golden plovers, thrushes, and finches with large folding nets.

The photo shows a shot quail-Malta

According to the Commission, Malta has failed to ensure adequate police controls, which has led to a massive increase in poaching.
The committee had documented hundreds of cases of abuse in recent years and informed the European Commission about the situation in Malta.
If convicted by the European Court of Justice, Malta faces fines running into the millions.

a linnet as a decoy-Malta

This news is invaluable – it is not only a signal to the Maltese government but also to other EU countries that may also be planning such hunting permits.

https://www.facebook.com/Komitee.CABS/

And I mean...Amazing!
The violation that is now being brought to court has only taken place since the end of October 2020.
In this case, the EU brought a lawsuit in barely more than a month – that’s really great!

The process will of course take a while, but the start was sensationally quick.

If Malta is forced to withdraw these three permits, thousands of hunters will reluctantly comply with the new laws.
Of course, there will always be some criminals idiots who do not adhere to any regulations and will try to trick.
The committees’ fight against bird murder continues, however, and these poachers will hopefully be brought to justice too!

My best regards to all, Venus

Calf is shot: the right of the strongest applies

A calf that jumped onto the road from an animal transporter caused a stir on the German autobahn on December 9th. The highway had to be closed for around two hours, the police reported in a press release.

Kalb auf A2 bei Magdeburg erschossen

Several road users reported the unusual pedestrian to the police at around 5:30 p.m. The animal was seen shortly after the Magdeburg-Center junction on the road towards Hanover.

According to the first findings of the police, the lower part of the loading flap of an animal transporter opened during the journey and the calf jumped onto the road.

According to the officials, the following vehicles were able to evade in time so that there was no traffic accident. It is still unclear whether there was a technical defect on the loading flap.

https://www.volksstimme.de/lokal/magdeburg/tiertransport-kalb-auf-a2-bei-magdeburg-erschossen

And I mean…If it was on the way to the slaughterhouse, then shooting was the more humane option”, we read in the comments.
Of course the calf was on its way to the slaughterhouse, but that’s not what this is about!

We humans will also die at some point, but nobody has the right to shoot us because of it if they want to.

The calf has been denied the right to a chance in life just because we, human animals, take the right to act with one and the same fascist principle, namely: to decide about the life of other animals when and how it suits us.

That’s what this is about!

Regards, Venus

Spain: toro ensogado is medieval tradition!

AnimaNaturalis España

🐂 Do you know what the ensogado bull consists of?

It is the popular form of bullfighting celebration consisting of the release in a locality of a bovine cattle with one or more ropes tied to its head to control its movements and attacks.

The rope bull is probably the most atavistic spectacle and also the most distressing for the animal, as it is the one that limits its movements the most and for the longest time.


Suffering is accentuated in this type of celebration due to the great physical fatigue that they accumulate, as they are taken to the limits of their aerobic capacity.

In all the celebrations you can see how, shortly after starting, the horns resort to abdominal breathing with their mouths open, their tongues sticking out and profuse salivation.

Help us end this atrocity! Sign now and share. 👇

https://www.fiestascrueles.org/

And I mean…How primitive and anti-social can people in the middle of Europe be?
It is a shame for the country that some dull, mentally weak proletarians still uphold this primitive tradition and get excited about something that ordinary people only disgust.

If torture, mistreatment and exploitation of innocent, defenseless beings is a culture for Spaniards, why don’t they burn witches anymore?
Wasn’t that a sad culture in Spain?
That would be good business.

My best regards to all, Venus

Investigation: who sells animals to Laboratories?

They’re designed to be anonymous.

Tucked away in unassuming facilities in quiet communities such as Chatfield, Minnesota; Ewing, Illinois; New Sharon, Iowa; and Oxford, Michigan, not even their names—Moulton Chinchilla Ranch, Oak Hill Genetics, Ruby Fur Farm, and Oakwood Research Facility—betray the nature of their operations.

But Moulton Chinchilla, Oak Hill, Ruby Fur, Oakwood, and numerous others around the country form a vast, largely unknown network of businesses that breed and supply dogs, chinchillas, foxes, ferrets, pigs, rabbits, and other animals for experimentation laboratories.

They peddle in misery.
Suffering is their currency.

The large, open wound on this chinchilla’s head went untreated.

PETA has obtained video footage and photographs taken by federal inspectors that for the first time show the unsanitary, often putrid, and abhorrent conditions of these decrepit facilities that breed, warehouse, and sell sentient beings for profit.
The footage—along with federal inspection reports—shows definitively that suffering for animals destined for experimentation begins well before they arrive at the laboratories.

“Moulton Chinchilla Ranch”, a foul-smelling misery factory, willfully violates animal protection laws yet continues to operate.

Moulton Chinchilla Ranch is located in Chatfield, Minnesota, a quiet town with a population of fewer than 3,000, located outside Rochester.

Moulton is a hellhole so wretched that in November 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) took the rare step of filing a formal complaint against the company for its serious and chronic violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA).

Federal inspectors found chinchillas with open, untreated wounds as well as collars that were embedded into their necks. When they were removed, inspectors said that “the skin was eroded, there were matted hair and open lesions” and “a putrid odor was noticeable” [emphasis added].

One baby chinchilla found outside his enclosure was placed with a foster mother. It was later noticed that the animal had “a deep fresh wound on [his] back left leg … [and] some toes just hanging on” [emphasis added].

Following the collar’s removal, the inspector observed “an open sore around most of the neck where the collar had been,” seeping discharge with “a strong putrid odor.” The USDA has repeatedly cited Moulton Chinchilla ranch (MCR) for open sores and abscesses that have developed under the collars. It did so again this year.

One baby chinchilla found outside his enclosure was placed with a foster mother. It was later noticed that the animal had “a deep fresh wound on [his] back left leg … [and] some toes just hanging on”

Also, multiple inspections spanning several years showed that enclosures had holes and chinchillas could escape, fall through, or become injured. Several feeders were rusted. Inspectors also observed accumulations of feces and foul odors.

Moulton continues operating, unabated.

Continue reading “Investigation: who sells animals to Laboratories?”

Pakistan – Bears who were the last remaining animals at hellish Pakistani zoo follow elephant Kaavan to a new life elsewhere.

Pakistan – Suzie and Bubloo’s nightmare is over: Bears who were the last remaining animals at hellish Pakistani zoo follow Kaavan ‘the world’s loneliest elephant’ to a new life elsewhere

Suzie, another Himalayan brown bear, was also taken out of the run-down zoo on Wednesday. Pakistani judges had ruled earlier this year that all animals should be taken away, as the zoo could no longer care for them
  • Bubloo and Suzie, two Himalayan brown bears, had been housed at the Marghazar Zoo in Pakistan for 13 years 
  • Former dancing bears, 17-year-old pair were kept in ‘poor’ conditions which left them malnourished and sick 
  • But on Wednesday they left for a shelter in Jordan, becoming the final animals to move out as the zoo closed
  • Marghazar, opened in 1978, was also home to Kaavan, the ‘world’s loneliest elephant’, who left two weeks ago

 

Read the full story, with pictures at: 

Last two animals at run-down Pakistani zoo move out as it closes for good | Daily Mail Online

 

Study Finds Growing Popularity Of Plant-Based Diets In The Czech Republic.

Study shows more people favoring a plant-based diet in The Czech Republic

Study Finds Growing Popularity Of Plant-Based Diets In The Czech Republic

A new study reports a growth in the popularity of plant-based diets in The Czech Republic, with people wanting to improve their health and help the planet.

by Emily Baker

A study has found an increase in the popularity of switching to plant-based diets in the Czech Republic, in line with a rise across Europe.

Whilst the research found a growing will to reduce meat consumption amongst younger age groups, it was also found that Czech people are not primarily ‘pro-plant-based’.

View Post

Health driven

Of consumers asked, 20 percent said they expected to reduce their meat intake in the future – and the main factor was to improve their health.

The market study was conducted by the Agricultural Economics Society (AES).AES claims the increase in popularity is not just consumer-led, and that large retail chains are developing their own plant-based product ranges.

Growth

Earlier this month, research from the vegan and vegetarian food app HappyCow saw the Czech Republic fair in the top three for having the most vegetarian-friendly restaurants per population size in Europe.

Expats.Cz claims there has been a surge in the country’s restaurants favoring meatless menus over the past four years.

Reports conducted by the Czech Vegan Society last year predicted an increase in plant-based diets – showing 30 percent of people were planning to consume more plants.It also noted 45 percent of respondents believed animal agriculture was negatively affecting the planet.

Rise across Europe

More vegan food has become readily available across Europe in recent years, from Burger King’s expansion to the Beyond Meat production facility which opened in the Netherlands this year.

Statistics from The Vegan Society show a skyrocket in vegan food and drink businesses across Europe between 2016 and 2019.

Plant-Based Diets On The Rise In The Czech Republic – Study Finds (plantbasednews.org)

Teach your child the right thing

What will you teach your kids?
Animals are not exhibition pieces; they are individuals.

We have a responsibility to teach our children about compassion and respect for other animals.
Society won’t do it and maybe not the school either.
We need to relieve our children of lies, prejudice, and ignorance.

The sooner the better.

Regards and good night, Venus

Shut down the 90 fur farms in Greece!

In addition to world-famous fur giants such as Denmark and Poland, Greece also operates around 90 active mink farms.
Given the significant health risks associated with COVID-19 outbreaks on mink farms, fur farming is receiving a lot of attention right now.

On November 16, 2020, the Greek Ministry for Rural Development and Food announced that minks had tested positive for the coronavirus on a fur farm in the Kozani area- in the north of the country.

Minks in Kastoria-Greece

As in November 2020 in Denmark, as a precautionary measure, all 2,500 minks were tortured and their bodies burned on the Greek farm.

The Greek fur industry has been in decline for years

The fur industry in Greece is clearly feeling the decline in global demand for fur products.
2018 data from the Greek statistical agency shows a visible decline in Greek fur exports.
Nevertheless, thousands of mink are still locked in tiny lattice cages and gassed at the young age of six months.

The fur is not a cultural heritage

To prevent the downfall of the cruel industry, the Association of the Greek Fur Industry submitted an application for recognition of fur production in the national inventory of intangible cultural heritage in 2016. The aim of such an inclusion in the state inventory is the possibility of being able to describe the peeled animal skins as a kind of art form.

Mink-Kastoria

The request was rejected and the relevant directorate emphasized that an activity based on the killing of animals for the sole purpose of acquiring their skins is not compatible with the basic principles of sustainable development.

Greek fur industry kept alive by EU subsidies

Despite the decline in export figures and the decision by well-known fashion designers such as Donatella Versace and Jean Paul Gaultier to stop using fur, the Greek government increased the number of nationwide fur farms from 43 in 2011 to 131 in 2018.
In addition, state aid for the fur industry from national and above all EU subsidies was further increased.

It is time for the Greek Parliament to ban this dying industry, with all the pain and suffering it causes, once and for all.

You too can help save hundreds of thousands of animals from a cruel death.

Animals still suffer on over 90 fur farms in Greece. Write to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis now and demand an end to all Greek fur farming!

Take action and ban fur farming in Greece!

Online Petition (text)
“I was shocked to read that animals in Greece are still being violently murdered for their fur and that Greek fur farms now not only cause animals to suffer horribly but also have become a threat to human health.

According to media reports, minks on Greek fur farms have been infected with COVID-19. This causes additional suffering and stress for these animals – unlike infected humans, ill minks do not receive medical care, nor are they provided with safe and stress-free housing in which to recover.
On the nearly 90 fur farms in the country, the animals live stuffed next to each other inside cramped cages.
Living in such confined spaces is extremely stressful for wild animals and leads to physical and mental disorders, including self-mutilation and insanity. Furthermore, because of this cruel confinement, urine, excrement, pus, and blood from sick or injured animals easily contaminate the restricted living areas of all the others.

On Danish fur farms, the novel coronavirus has mutated, and a new strain has spread among minks and workers, who infect other humans.

The Dutch parliament voted by an overwhelming majority to bring forward the fur farming ban in the Netherlands because of the spread of COVID-19 and will close all fur farms by the end of 2020. Similar bans are already in place in Austria, the Czech Republic, Israel, the UK, and several other countries.
Now is clearly the time to end the suffering of animals used for their fur, and closing down the fur industry would help prevent both the spread of the current pandemic and similar future outbreaks.

For the sake of animal welfare and human safety, please shut down fur farms in Greece and outlaw fur farming there immediately.

Yours…

Griechische Pelzfarmen sofort schließen – unterschreiben Sie jetzt!

And I mean…” Closed due to the pandemic”. The sign on the door of the fur shops in Greece in three languages – Greek, Russian and English – posted a few weeks ago, for the second time this year, is probably unnecessary, as there are no potential buyers due to lockdown.

Why should it be any different in Greek fur farms than in Denmark or the Netherlands?

Corona has also attacked 2,500 animals there and, as in other countries, genocide will be the “solution”, and the Greek fur farm owners have already wiped out 2,500 creatures!

Another 5,000 animals in one of the four farms are likely to be killed, as several of the mink have already died there,

More than 1 million fur animals live and suffer on Greek farms.

The annual turnover was 250 million euros until 2019, this year it has dropped to 5 million. Many companies in northern Greece that used to benefit from fur animals are now closed.

But not only due to Corona.
The fur industry is taking its last breath, internationally.
Fur has no future, nor does fur production in Greece

More than 90% of fur-exports from Greece go to Russia.
But since 2014 -15 this is no longer the case.

Because on the one hand, Russia is strengthening the internal production of fur, which however is not enough.
On the other hand, China is now Russia`s main supplier of fur.

But the Greek government does not want to see the truth. While the collapse of the fur-sector, a sector that is coming to an end at a very fast pace, is a global reality including Greece, the Minister of Agriculture Development announces support of 3 million for the fur breeders sector.

Those who are involved in the fur-breeding industry often cite a number of “arguments” to justify the abuse of live and sentient animals.

“breeding furs is exactly the same as raising chickens, sheep, or cows.”

Correct!
But that’s the same absurd logic if we were to acquit a murderer because so many other people commit crimes too.

My best regards to all, Venus

USA: President Elect Biden Selects Super Environmental Team For the Future.

WAV Comment:  Big Wow ! – congratulations to President elect Joe Biden, Deb Haarland, and Michael Regan on the award of their new positions which will overturn all the environmental destruction caused by loser Trump over recent years.  It is especially wonderful to see Deb Haarland; a Native American, to serve with such an important position in the cabinet; with her department’s jurisdiction covering tribal lands and vast tracts of protected American wilderness, including jewels such as Yellowstone and Yosemite national parks.

Mr. Regan will be a leading member of the new, expanded Biden team focusing on reversing Trump’s environmental rollbacks and address the climate crisis with a plan for bringing the US economy to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Super choices for an America and its wildlife that very much needs protection from the bad muppets that we have seen from Trump and ‘his mates’ over the past years.

We at WAV very much welcome these appointments; as do the vast eco warrior tribes of the world.  Haarland, a lady who originated from peoples who loved and protected the environment.  We hope she will right all the Trump wrongs in the coming years.

Superb news !

 ———————————

Deb Haaland would be the first Native American cabinet secretary.

Biden picks Deb Haaland as first Native American interior secretary | Biden administration | The Guardian Deb Haaland would be the first Native American cabinet secretary. Photograph: Juan Labreche/AP

Biden picks Deb Haaland as first Native American interior secretary

President-elect will also nominate regulator Michael Regan to head Environmental Protection Agency

Joe Biden has chosen the US lawmaker Deb Haaland as interior secretary and will nominate the North Carolina official Michael Regan to head the Environmental Protection Agency, in two diverse and influential picks to handle crucial issues such as public lands, pollution and the climate crisis.

Haaland, a progressive Democratic congresswoman from New Mexico since 2019, would be the first Native American cabinet secretary and one of the first Native Americans ever to serve in a US cabinet. The department’s jurisdiction covers tribal lands and vast tracts of protected American wilderness, including jewels such as Yellowstone and Yosemite national parks.

In a tweet on Thursday evening, Haaland said she was “honored and ready to serve” as interior secretary.

“A voice like mine has never been a cabinet secretary or at the head of the Department of Interior,” she added.

Haaland is a member of Pueblo of Laguna and would become the first descendant of the original people to populate North America to run the interior department, which has often had a difficult relationship with the 574 federally recognized tribes in the US, the Washington Post reported.

And she has told the Reuters news agency she would seek to usher in an expansion of renewable energy production on federal land to contribute to the fight against climate change, and undo Donald Trump’s regressive focus on bolstering fossil fuels output.

Progressives hailed the selection of Haaland as “perfect choice” and a “fierce ally” of the environmental movement.

“Rep Deb Haaland’s appointment as secretary of the interior is a historic moment for every Native American and the Green New Deal movement,” said Varshini Prakash, the executive director of the youth-led Sunrise Movement.

She added: “With a progressive leader at the helm, we can make real progress on stopping climate change and ensure sovereignty and dignity for all Native people and justice for all.”

Climate activists, joined by progressive members of Congress, tribal leaders and Hollywood celebrities, had mounted a public campaign in support of Haaland. The interior secretary will be critical to enacting Biden’s ambitious climate plan as well as playing an important role leading discussions between the federal government and tribal nations.

The House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, had issued a statement on Wednesday saying: “Congresswoman Haaland knows the territory, and if she is the president-elect’s choice for interior secretary, then he will have made an excellent choice.”

The retiring New Mexico senator Tom Udall, a Democrat who was also reportedly under consideration for the role, was among the first politicians to congratulate Haaland, calling her appointment a “watershed moment for Native communities, and for our nation”.

In a statement, Udall praised her as someone who would use the position to “undo the damage of the Trump administration, restore the department’s workforce and expertise, uphold our obligations to Native communities, and take the bold action needed to tackle the accelerating climate and nature crises.”

“I am confident that she will be both a historic interior secretary and an excellent one,” he added.

Theresa Pierno, the president and CEO for the National Parks Conservation Association, said Haaland would be ready for the job “on day one” and was a congressional “champion” who had helped hold the line on conservation.

“Amid a global pandemic and climate crisis, we need a department of interior secretary who is ready to address 21st-century challenges with bold solutions … to protect our national parks and public lands for the benefit of all Americans,” she said.

Meanwhile, Biden plans to nominate Regan, North Carolina’s top environmental regulator, to head the EPA, according to Reuters.

If confirmed by the US Senate, Regan would become the second Black person to run the EPA, after Lisa Jackson, who served during Barack Obama’s presidency. He would be a leading member of the new, expanded Biden team focusing on reversing Trump’s environmental rollbacks and address the climate crisis with a plan for bringing the US economy to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Regan brings years of experience dealing with fossil fuel industries in his home state, including overseeing a roughly $9bn settlement agreement with utility Duke Energy for the nation’s largest clean-up of coal ash. Regan has also previously worked at the EPA and worked on climate change and pollution initiatives for the Environmental Defense Fund, a green advocacy group.

“Regan understands that tough environmental goals tempered with economic and technological reality produce the best approach on everything from climate change to more local problems,” said Scott Segal, an attorney for the law firm Bracewell, which has petroleum companies as clients.

Jim Marston, the former head of the Environmental Defense Fund state initiatives program, said: “He could talk with, work with industry. And his own personal history allows him to really relate … to working-class folks who are the workers in plants that need to be regulated,” Marston said.

Democrats have a very narrow majority in the House, so losing Haaland to the cabinet is a risk, making three Democratic members of the House that will be leaving the chamber to join the new administration.

Marcia Fudgewill be nominated to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Cedric Richmondwill serve as the director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/17/deb-haaland-joe-biden-interior-secretary

Keep the Environment tops in the USA – a few pictures I took on one of my trips in the USA many moons ago.

Once it has gone, you can never bring it back – so dont let it go in the first place ! – Mark

England: Vegan and Vegetarian Christmas Food Ideas. Plant Based Is the Future. Animal Suffering – Out !

Well as it is fast approaching Christmas; it was decided to search around a bit and try to present you with a few choices for your animal friendly, no kill Christmas.  Here below you will find a selection of links for both Vegetarian and Vegan meals and recipes for your Christmas nosh.

Being based in both England and Germany, we see some great news reaching us – for example; ‘Waitrose’ is a top UK supermarket, selling top range food.  They are probably the No1 supermarket in the UK when it comes to their attention to animal welfare and cruelty free food.  They pride themselves on their high welfare standards, and quite rightly so; having won countless awards for their approach. https://www.waitrose.com/home/inspiration/about_waitrose/the_waitrose_way/waitrose_animal_welfarecommitments.html

Waitrose says: Waitrose & Partners wins best retailer for animal welfare standards

Our animal welfare standards are some of the most stringent in the world. We know this because Waitrose & Partners has retained the award for best retailer in Europe for our farm animal welfare standards. We rear all of our livestock to certified higher welfare standards.  


Animal welfare organisation 
Compassion in World Farming (CiWF) judged our standards better than those of 27 other retailers in Europe, including 10 in the United Kingdom. 

CiWF uses its 
Supermarket Survey to judge the winner based on a company’s animal welfare standards for laying hens, broiler chickens, dairy cows and calves, sows and meat pigs and farmed fish. 

In the UK at the moment, Pre orders for Vegan Christmas food up 700% at Waitrose alone; forgetting all the other supermarkets; and we also see that no less than 20% of the UK population are going to have a solely Vegan Christmas when it comes to food this year – amazing ! : 20% of Brits will serve an entirely vegan Christmas dinner this year (veganfoodandliving.com)

We at WAV hope we have played a very small part in this.  Through the site we have bombarded you with news and videos featuring countless exposes of facilities causing untold animal suffering around the world.  The figures above undoubtedly tell us that today, 2020, the world is changing and people are not going to continue to accept cruel animal practices that have gone on behind closed doors in the past.  We have an old saying here in the UK and that is:  “If slaughterhouse walls were made of glass, then everyone would be a vegetarian / vegan”.

People are now voting with their mouths and with their wallets; and the message they are clearly sending is more than clear that they do not wish to be associated with animal cruelty and suffering.  Plant based is the way forward now; and food retailers and food services the world over are now waking up to this – if you want business, then go for plant based food; and cut out the animal cruelty and suffering.

Wishing you a cruelty free Christmas; but please spare a though also for all those who are still suffering within the cages, bars and confines of the factory farm systems.  The fight to free them all goes on and gets stronger every single day.

Free them ALL – Now !

Regards Mark.

Vegan Christmas Food:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegan-christmas-recipes

https://www.peta.org.uk/recipes/

https://avirtualvegan.com/vegan-christmas-dinner-menu/

https://www.jamieoliver.com/christmas/collection/vegan/

https://hurrythefoodup.com/vegan-christmas-dinner-recipes/

UK – Waitrose – Pre order for Vegan Christmas food up 700% at Waitrose !

Vegan Sales Surge: Supermarkets Report ‘Selling Out’ Of Plant-Based Christmas Foods:

https://www.stylist.co.uk/life/recipes/easy-vegan-christmas-dinner-recipes/463393

20% of Brits will serve an entirely vegan Christmas dinner this year:

Vegetarian Christmas Food:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegetarian-christmas-recipes

https://www.olivemagazine.com/guides/best-ever/best-ever-vegetarian-christmas/

https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/collections/vegetarian-christmas-dinner-recipes/

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegetarian-christmas-recipes

https://www.hubbub.org.uk/veggie-christmas-dinner-recipes?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzNOn1vrZ7QIVjtPtCh03HggMEAAYAiAAEgKWlfD_BwE

https://www.jamieoliver.com/christmas/collection/vegetarian/

https://vegsoc.org/trademarked-products/

https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/christmas/g3140/vegetarian-christmas-dinner/