Month: July 2024

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News

Great News ! – Fur industry in Bulgaria loses court case against mink ban.

Fur industry in Bulgaria loses court case against mink ban

12 July 2024

CAAI

The Administrative Court of Sofia City has supported the ban on the import and breeding of American mink in Bulgaria, following an appeal by the only operating mink farm in the country.

Read more about the decision here (in Bulgarian).

The legal process was started in 2022, a few months after the Minister of Environment and Waters issued an order banning the import and breeding of American mink, the species of mink farmed for its fur. This non-native species can negatively impact biodiversity, and even drive some native animal species to extinction: a view supported by more than 100 scientists and experts, who submitted opinions in support of the mink ban over the course of the case.

The mink fur farm which appealed this order has a breeding capacity of about 130,000 American mink. During its years of operation, over 100 mink have escaped – and that’s just on official record. The disruption this has caused has been wide-ranging, with complaints of mink attacks on domestic animals, the impacts of this invasive species on native habitats, and records showing mink having travelled as far as 30km away from where they first escaped.

Mink farming is terrible for animal welfare

Fur farms have also drawn public wrath for the cruel conditions in which the animals are raised and killed. 

Minks are kept in narrow and dirty wire cages and, in order to preserve the integrity of their fur, are killed in gas chambers. That these conditions are unacceptable is a view shared by a huge number of European citizens, with over 1.5 million signatures collected for the “Fur Free Europe” ECI, now pending a response from the European Commission. 

In 2021, during an inspection of the abovementioned mink farm, the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture and Food reported a number of biosecurity violations, unsatisfactory hygienic conditions, decomposing animal carcasses, and mink escaping from their cages.

Learn more on our member CAAI’s website here. 

We welcome the completely fair decision of the court to reject the appeal of the mink breeders. In recent years, scientists have proven that the invasive nature of the American mink is a serious threat to local biodiversity. In addition, the American mink is the species in which significant susceptibility to infection with various zoonoses is noted.

Petya Altimirska, Chair of CAAI (Campaigns and Activism for Animals in the Industry)

Regards Mark

 See also https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2024/07/09/bulgaria-fur-industry-in-bulgaria-loses-court-case-against-mink-ban/

Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News

Bulgaria: Fur industry in Bulgaria loses court case against mink ban

News from Mark and the crew at Respect for Animals, Nottingham England.

Fur industry in Bulgaria loses court case against mink ban | Respect for Animals

Latest news:  NEWS | Respect for Animals

Fur industry in Bulgaria loses court case against mink ban

The Sofia City Administrative Court rejected the mink farm’s

The Sofia City Administrative Court rejected the mink farm’s appeal against the order issued by the Ministry of Environment and Water to ban the import and breeding of the “American mink” species in Bulgaria. The court’s decision can be appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court.

The Administrative Court of Sofia City has issued a decision on the case regarding the ban on the import and breeding of American mink in Bulgaria. The court accepted as groundless the appeal of the only operating mink fur farm in Bulgaria. The legal process was started in 2022, a few months after the Minister of Environment and Waters issued an order banning the import and breeding of the “American Mink” species. The reason for the order is the danger this invasive, non-native species poses to biodiversity.

American mink (the species farmed for its fur) can negatively impact native animal species and even drive some to extinction. Behind this opinion stand more than 100 scientists and experts who submitted opinions in support of the ban on the import and breeding of American mink. Their support for the ban was strongly expressed during the course of the case.

The mink fur farm near the village of Mazherito, Stara Zagora, has a breeding capacity of about 130,000 American mink. Over the years of operation of the farm, official recordings have been filed about over 100 escaped animals. The number of unrecorded mink escapes is unknown. Complaints of mink attacks on domestic animals are a common problem that torments the local residents living near the farm. There are images and video shots of mink being run over by cars on the road, as well as of animals walking around the center of the city of Stara Zagora. The invasive mammal was also spotted in the river near the town of Galabovo, 30 km from the farm.

As well as endangering biodiversity, fur farms have drawn public wrath for the cruel conditions in which the animals are raised and killed. Minks are kept in narrow and dirty wire cages and, in order to preserve the integrity of their fur, they are killed in gas chambers. In 2021, during an inspection of the mink farm near the village of Mazherito, the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture and Food reported a number of biosecurity violations, unsatisfactory hygienic conditions, decomposing carcasses of dead animals, as well as mink escaped from their cages.

“We welcome the completely fair decision of the court to reject the appeal of the mink breeders. In recent years, scientists have proven that the invasive nature of the “American mink” is a serious threat to local biodiversity. In addition, the American mink is the species in which significant susceptibility to infection with various zoonoses is noted. Last year, an outbreak of COVID-19 occurred among the minks on the farm near Stara Zagora. Recently, bird flu has become increasingly common in mink farms too. Similar outbreaks in other countries have caused fur farms to be closed. This is how cruel and completely unnecessary activity is being stopped,” said Petya Altimirska, chair of CAAI (Campaigns and Activism for Animals in the Industry), which since 2017 has been campaigning for the ban of fur farms in Bulgaria.

The mink breeders have the right to appeal the decision within 14 days of its announcement before the Supreme Administrative Court.

A possible loss in the second instance would practically end the existence of mink farms in Bulgaria.

Attached links

Link to the Sofia City Administrative Court’s decision (in Bulgarian)

Farm Animals, General News, Uncategorized

Pamplona bull-runners are tossed around and trampled with yet more thrill seekers injured under the hooves of rampaging animals in Spanish town

Rampaging animals ? – dick head ‘thrill seekers’ yes; if it was not for the dickheads then there would be no need for ‘rampaging animals’ – not there by choice !!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13615137/Pamplona-bull-runners-tossed-trampled-thrill-seekers-injured-hooves-rampaging-animals-Spanish-town.html

Red and white ‘tradition’ ! – helps identify the idiots I guess.

General News, Uncategorized

England: Popstar and animal rights activist Will Young pays visit to Rotherham animal rescue centre

The popstar turned animal rights activist visited the Rotherham animal sanctuary on Monday (July 1).

A spokesperson for Thornberry said: “We had the pleasure of welcoming Will Young, a passionate animal rights supporter, to Thornberry Animal Sanctuary.

Read in full with photos

Popstar and animal rights activist Will Young pays visit to Rotherham animal rescue centre (msn.com)

General News

VICTORY! COLOMBIA BANS BULLFIGHTING

In a long-awaited win for animals, Colombia’s Congress voted overwhelmingly to ban bullfighting, international news reported.

The legislation is expected to be signed by President Gustavo Petro, who has been open about his disdain for the violent tradition.

“Congratulations to those who finally made death not a spectacle,” President Gustavo Petro wrote on social media.

The bill will make all bullfighting illegal in Colombia beginning in 2027. It also stipulates that anyone whose income was tied to bullfighting will have help finding more humane employment — demonstrating that the economy does not justify animal cruelty.

This win follows a long and difficult legislative battle. The city of Bogota made several attempts to ban the cruelty over the years, but the bloodsport could only be truly outlawed by Congress — because of a decision from the Constitutional Court in 2018 that bullfighting was a part of the country’s “culture.”

“The next generations will grow up in a country where culture will define things much more creatively than torturing animals for the amusement of a few insensitive people,” Juan Carlos Losada, a member of Congress, said about the win.

Bullfighting is bloody: Bulls are repeatedly stabbed until they give up the will to live in exhaustion and pain. The suffering of these sentient animals is not entertainment — it’s animal cruelty.

“We are prioritizing the welfare and defense of all animals,” Congressman Alejandro Garcia remarked after the vote. “To the whole world, we say Colombia is in a process of cultural transformation, where all beings retain dignity.”

Colombia will join other South American countries like Brazil, Chile, and Argentina in banning the violent sport. Seven countries still allow bullfighting — and the pressure is on for them to follow suit.

Lady Freethinker applauds Colombia’s Congress for passing this historic bill, as well as the animal rights activists who campaigned for years for this more compassionate future.

General News, Uncategorized

Cuba: Animal Advocates in Sancti Spíritus Demand Justice for Another Brutally Attacked Dog

The heartbreaking story of a dog brutally attacked with a machete has resurfaced in Sancti Spíritus, stirring outrage among animal rights advocates. This time, they have identified the alleged perpetrator and are demanding justice from the  Cuban regime.

Natasha Zapata reported this latest act of violence against an animal in the Facebook group “SOS Callejeros.  Cuba,” identifying the citizen Y.A.C. as the aggressor.

Warning: Graphic Content. The following content includes images and explicit descriptions of violence against an animal. These images may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised.

According to the accuser, the man also owns a mare with whom he engages in inappropriate behaviors, prompting her to call on authorities to take legal action against him under the Animal Welfare Law.

Zapata also noted that the man works as a cook in a slaughterhouse: “I can’t understand how someone unsanitary like him is allowed to prepare food,” she remarked.

The woman expressed her dismay at the existence of unscrupulous individuals and emphasized that the competent authorities must intervene, as she fears for the life of the aggressor’s mare and any other animal under his care.

In the comments section, Elizabeth Herrera Rodríguez explained that the dog lost an eye and that at the time of the violent act, it had wandered from its home and ended up in the aggressor’s house.

Continue reading at https://www.cubaheadlines.com/articles/284

General News, Vivisection

UK: Cruelty Free International urge new Labour government to honour manifesto pledge to phase out animal testing.

We have a new government in the UK now.

Cruelty Free International

Animal protection NGO, Cruelty Free International, is calling on the UK’s new Labour government to honour its manifesto pledge to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”.

This commitment must lead to the end of the use of animals in UK laboratories, through the development of a roadmap with clear targets, milestones and actions, led by a new minister to co-ordinate plans across all departments.

The government must also provide further detail to expand on earlier commitments by senior members of the Labour Party that included a board of experts to be established in the first year and tasked with drafting a plan to phase out the use of dogs, minipigs and rabbits in testing, including medical testing.

Cruelty Free International stands ready to offer its expertise to ensure these policies are delivered in an ambitious but achievable way.

The organisation’s ‘Pledge Cruelty Free’ campaign in the build-up to the General Election asked all parliamentary candidates to make a commitment to put the 1998 ban on testing cosmetics on animals, covering ingredients used either primarily or exclusively in cosmetics, into law; make our homes safer by modernising the system for testing the chemicals that go into the products we use every day, such as food, clothes, household cleaning, furniture, electronic goods, paints and dyes, and removing animals from those tests; and ask that the government create a plan to phase-out animal testing forever, with a minister dedicated to delivering this target across all government departments.

Home Office statistics show that there were over 2.76 million uses of animals in laboratories in Great Britain in 2022. Ten per cent of those are tests required by regulators to assess the safety or effectiveness of chemicals, medicines and other products.

Cruelty Free International Head of Public Affairs, Dylan Underhill, said: “Sir Kier Starmer and his new government must honour their manifesto pledge to phase-out animal testing, and reflect both the views of the public and the strength of feeling that there is on this issue. With such a strong majority they can and must be bold to reflect the promise of change on which Labour built their campaign. Animal testing is simply not good science, yet inexplicably continues as the default method for testing the safety of products. We know that, as a country, we can do so much better in our protection of the millions of animals that suffer and die in laboratories every year.

“Their commitment must lead to the end of the use of animals in UK laboratories, through the development of a roadmap with clear targets, milestones and actions, led by a new minister to co-ordinate plans across all departments. The government must provide further detail on commitments that included a board of experts to be established in the first year and tasked with drafting a plan to phase out the use of dogs, minipigs and rabbits in testing, including medical testing. Cruelty Free International stands ready to offer its expertise to ensure these policies are delivered in an ambitious but achievable way.

“We know that there is so much for a new government to do in its first few days and weeks in office, but this is long overdue and cannot be forgotten or delayed any longer. The government must develop a roadmap with clear targets and milestones to phase out the use of all animals in experiments as soon as possible. We stand ready to offer our expertise in service of this ambition.

“A greater increase in funding, in line with the levels for similar ground-breaking technologies in the UK, needs to be accompanied by innovative incentives to encourage scientists and industry to move away from the current use of animals. Non-animal testing methods, in many cases, have already proven themselves to be faster, cheaper and more accurate than animal testing.

“Animal testing touches our lives in many ways that most of us don’t appreciate, from cosmetics and household products to clothes, furniture, plastics, electronic and white goods, paints, dyes, and food – all these things can be associated with animal testing on their way to our homes. We need Labour to take bold steps forward – without this, we will be condemned to a never-ending cycle of small reductions rather than the transformative step forward which is needed to meet the aspirations of the public.”

Regards Mark