Category: Environmental

Environmental, Farm Animals, General News

England: Where do things stand with the world’s first octopus farm?

Where do things stand with the world’s first octopus farm?

8 October 2023

CIWF

Spanish seafood company Nueva Pescanova announced plans in 2019 to establish the world’s first octopus farm in the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

To mark World Octopus Day 2023, we take a look at the application’s progress following resounding opposition from scientists, animal welfare and environmental organisations, and the general public.

Our case study Uncovering the Horrific Reality of Octopus Farming published together with Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), attracted significant international media attention. 

In our new video, we update you on key welfare and environmental concerns of octopus farming, the current state of the application processes to establish the farm, and options for citizens to support our call to stop octopus farming.

Thanks to continuing media attention, online petitions and protests worldwide, the issue remains on the radar, and public pressure is working. 

At regional level, the Canary Islands government has recently required a more exhaustive environmental impact procedure. Typically, intensive aquaculture projects in Spain are only subject to a simplified environmental assessment, but it was concluded that the octopus farm could have a significant impact on the surrounding environment. For Nueva Pescanova, this means that after waiting 2 years for the green light, they must now start over with a tougher evaluation process.

At EU level, several MEPs have expressed their opposition to the farm, raising a parliamentary question to the European Commission, as well as sending a joint letter to the Canary Islands government. 

Outside the EU, Washington state has proposed a bill prohibiting octopus farms, and the UK has legally recognised octopuses as sentient beings. Hawaiian authorities have closed the Kanaloa octopus research farm, and in Canada, a governmental petition was proposed to ban octopus farming. 

Moreover, the well known seafood certification labelling schemes by RSPCA and Friend of the Sea have made a resolute stance announcing their refusal to certify any farmed octopus products. 

Nevertheless, we have to keep up the pressure to make sure octopus farming never sees the light of day. 

Led by CIWF, on the occasion of World Octopus Day 2023, we have joined forces with 75 NGOs and experts worldwide to urge the Canary Islands Government to reject plans for the world’s first octopus farm in a joint letter. 

In the face of overwhelming scientific evidence, ethical concerns, and global opposition, creating the world’s first octopus farm is a perilous path we must not tread. Octopuses, solitary in nature, and with extremely complex behaviours, simply do not suit intensive farming conditions. There is no effective stunning method for the slaughter of farmed octopuses, and no EU legislation exists to protect farmed octopuses. Their wellbeing and the harmony of our ecosystems should stand as our guiding principles, urging us to abandon the notion of commercial octopus farming.

Keri Tietge, Octopus Project Consultant, Eurogroup for Animals

Citizens can help to continue the momentum by signing petitions against octopus farming, joining protests such as PACMA’s Save the Octopuses Fest on 4 November 2023 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and spreading the word using the hashtags #BanOctopusFarming and #StopOctopusFarming. 

Regards Mark

Environmental, Farm Animals, Fur and Fur Farming, General News, Stray Animals, Uncategorized

Man Knows Best – I Think Not !!

Latest EFSA report on avian influenza cause for concern

5 October 2023

Infections now regularly occur not only in wild and domestic birds but in an increasing number of mammalian species, with occasional human cases.

According to the latest report published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), between the end of June and 1 September 2023, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks continue to be reported worldwide. 

These are worrying results, especially regarding infections in mammals: numerous cases occurred in raccoon dogs, foxes, and American mink kept for fur, as well as in wild otters and seals. Occasional infections in domestic cats and dogs have also been recorded. Some strains now have developed mutations that improve the virus’ ability to infect human cells, increase its resistance to certain antivirals, and augment its virulence. Research is ongoing into the effects of such mutations, but these new subtypes could have a higher zoonotic potential (not yet demonstrated). 

What is clear is that some of the circulating HPAI variants have the ability to jump from one species to another. For instance, it is believed that A(H5N1) which carries markers for adaptation to mammalian cells jumped from chickens to cats in one outbreak in Poland. On Finnish fur farms, the virus jumped from wild birds to kept mammals and further mutated once inside the farms. For this reason, the EFSA recommends increasing biosecurity in fur farms and promptly culling all animals in case of a HPAI outbreak. As long as fur farming remains lawful in the EU, we can thus expect more mass culling events like those witnessed in recent years and even very recently due to COVID infections in animals. 

For now, human infections are infrequent and are therefore considered sporadic, usually as a consequence of direct human contact with infected poultry. However, the situation is evolving and the EFSA recommends consistent and continued monitoring of outbreaks in wild and domestic animals.

Recommendations from the report include:

Increased surveillance of the circulation of the virus both in wild birds and in free-living domestic carnivores;

Increased biosecurity in fur farms with prompt culling of all animals in case of a confirmed outbreak of HPAI, because of the increased risk of mammalian adaptation of the virus;

Timely and accurate reporting of cases in mammalian species for epidemiological purposes;

Both people and domestic carnivores should avoid contact with infected carcasses;

Hospitalised human patients with severe respiratory symptoms should be assessed for exposure risk to HPAI.

Of particular concern is the finding that “about 47% of the characterised viruses contain at least one of the adaptive markers associated with increased virulence and replication in mammals […]. These mutations with potential public health implications have likely emerged upon transmission to mammals.” 

Additionally, in April 2023 a HPAI virus identified in farmed dogs in China had a key mutation that would allow it to jump directly from birds to humans. 

As this report was published, South Africa was (and still is) dealing with the devastating economic consequences of its latest HPAI outbreak, which has resulted in the culling of several million broiler chickens and laying hens. A vaccination program will probably begin in the coming weeks.

Regards Mark

Environmental, Farm Animals, General News, Live Transport, Stray Animals

India: Major Animal Rights Rally In Commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary .

Rally on animal rights at Jantar Mantar on Sunday | Pune News – Times of India (indiatimes.com)

Read more at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/104069266.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

PUNE: In commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary ..

Regards Mark

Environmental, Farm Animals, General News, Hunting

Spain: Was There Any Point ? – A new Spanish law strengthens animal rights (?) but exempts bullfights and hunting with dogs – the 2 most important Issues !!!

Our past posts relating to these subjects:

Search Results for “spain hunting dogs” – World Animals Voice

Search Results for “spain bullfights” – World Animals Voice

A new Spanish law strengthens animal rights but exempts bullfights and hunting with dogs

MADRID (AP) — A new animal welfare law that took effect Friday in Spain outlaws the use of animals for recreational activities that cause them pain and suffering but allows bullfights and hunting with dogs.

Spain’s first specific animal rights legislation is intended to crack down on abuses. The law particularly targets the mistreatment of domestic animals, introducing fines of up to 200,000 euros ($212,000).

It bans the buying of pets in stores or online, but gives stores a grace period to find homes for their animals. In the future, it only will be legal to purchase pets from registered breeders. The new rules allow pets into most establishments, including restaurants and bars.

The law bans the use of wild animals at circuses and gives owners six months to comply. It allows zoos to keep using the marine mammals in their dolphin shows until the animals die.

Bullfights are regarded as part of Spain’s cultural heritage. A proposal to include hunting dogs in the law prompted an outcry in some rural communities, and the government backed down.

Government statistics estimate some 29 million animals are kept as pets in Spain, most of them dogs. But around 300,000 are abandoned each year, and about one-third of those are put down.

The law also aims to introduce mandatory pet insurance and registration as well as training for owners. However, those requirements and some other legal aspects were delayed because detailed administrative procedures have not been drawn up in the absence of a sitting government.

Spain’s July general election proved inconclusive, and political parties are in coalition-building talks.

Regards Mark

A new Spanish law strengthens animal rights but exempts bullfights and hunting with dogs (yahoo.com)

More:

Spain Strengthens Animal Rights, But Exempts Bullfights (yahoo.com)

New Spanish law strengthens animal rights but exempts bullfights – ABC News (go.com)

New Spanish law strengthens animal rights but exempts bullfights and hunting with dogs (devdiscourse.com)

Environmental, General News, Uncategorized

Ireland: A cull of wild rabbits at Derrynane National Park will turn the landscape into a “bloodbath”.

A European Rabbit on the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland (Stephen Bridger / Alamy Stock Photo)

A cull of wild rabbits at Derrynane National Park will turn the landscape into a “bloodbath,” an animal rights activist has said.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is to commission a cull of wild rabbits on Derrynane House National Park in County Kerry after a dramatic increase in the population has had a negative impact on other wildlife and rare plants.

The European Rabbit was introduced to Ireland by the Normans over 800 years ago, and are designated a medium impact invasive species by the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

Specialists will be hired to shoot the rabbits and lay more than 100 traps near the former home of political leader Daniel O’Connell, Derrynane House.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, animal rights activist John Carmody said he is “dishearted” by the lastest cull.

“I mean, I’ve been working on these campaigns for years and you know, we’ve had targets on deer, we’ve had targets on seals and now we’re hearing about the rabbits population in Derrynane,” he said.

“I’m kind of scratching my head since, asking myself, ‘What has went on in the last couple of months with [the rabbits] down there, that went on in the last number of years?

“As the saying goes, you breed like rabbits and there is no way a cull is going to stop those animals breeding down there – it’s totally unscientific.”

Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Norma Moriarty rejected Mr Carmody’s claim that the decision was “shortsighted”.

“It’s being done with a view to the future and the protection of the biodiversity down there and a very, very, very sensitive ecosystem, in terms of the dune system that’s there at Derrynane,” she said.

“It’s also very scientifically based because it’s the results of surveys that have been carried out and also very visible erosion.”

Councillor Moriarty said the size of the rabbits has led to “overgrazing” – while a lack of natural predators has increased their population significantly.

“There’s a serious imbalance taking place, because of the overgrazing we don’t have that very important grassland that effectively knits the dunes together and protects the area from further erosion,” she said.

“They also pose a threat to the natterjack toad, the choughs and the whorl snails.”

Mr Carmody said a lot of the rabbits will end up being maimed.

“Quite essentially, that beautiful National Park is going to turn into a bloodbath,” he said.

“I get it – we can’t exactly go down there and hand out each individual rabbit a pack of condoms and say, ‘Off you go lads’.

“So why don’t the Office of Public Works come and sit down with campaigners and wildlife biologists and come up with a solution?”

Councillor Moriarty said a “plethora” of actions had been considered by the OPW.

“When you’re talking about ecosystems and balance, it’s basically about the order of beings and their natural predators, and the absence of that natural predator has meant an unnatural explosion of the rabbit population,” she said.

“Part of this plan is the introduction of ferrets as part of [introducing natural predators], as much possible, to be in sync with what nature would want, but it does need a helping hand.”

Mr Carmody said “interfering” in nature is what human beings do best.

“We definitely know how to wreck the place and destroy the place and ransack environments,” he said.

“This is almost like going back to the Flintstone eras where we’re sending in ferrets in the hope that we’d be able to get some of the rabbits taken out so that we can, in some way, shape or form, protect the other species.

“Stop right now, stop this tender and let’s go back to the table and come up with a more humane and kinder solution for all.”

Regards Mark

‘The National Park will be a bloodbath’: Animal rights activist slams rabbit cull | Newstalk

Environmental, General News, Stray Animals

EU: Wolves in the EU at risk of having protection downgraded.

Wolves in the EU at risk of having protection downgraded

6 September 2023

Protection for the species is under threat following movement from the European Commission towards a proposal that would downgrade wolves’ status of protection, which could give Member States more flexibility to authorise culling.

In light of “conflicts with local farming and hunting communities”, The European Commission issued a press release stating that they will collect data until 22 September 2023 on wolf populations and their impacts. This will inform their decision on proposing to downgrade the conservation status of the species.

Wolf populations in the EU remain fragile

EU efforts towards the recovery of wolves are paying off. Wolf range has increased over 25% in the last decade, and they are now present in all mainland Member States. Yet, this success remains fragile as 6 out of the 9 transboundary wolf populations in the EU did not yet reach a favourable conservation status. The downgrading of the protection status of wolves would jeopardise the efforts invested and further threaten the viability of populations. 

The current legal framework allows sufficient flexibility

The high protection status granted to wolves under the Habitats Directive already provides the possibility of derogations under article 16. In 2017, a fitness check of the Birds and Habitats Directives concluded that the Directives remain relevant and fit for purpose. In 2019 and 2020, Member States reported 772 derogations for the killing of large carnivores to prevent serious damage to livestock. In 2018, it was estimated that over 900 wolves were killed each year in the EU. 

The use of such derogations should be strictly regulated as they are only permitted when no alternative solutions could be identified, and should not jeopardise the conservation status of the species. The European Commission issued guidelines for Member States to comply with these requirements. In this context, the use of such derogations have been subject to multiple infringement procedures, including against Sweden that remains pending.

Coexistence is the solution

President von der Leyen’s claim that “wolf packs in some European regions have become a real danger for livestock and potentially also for humans” is false. We estimate the presence of 19,000 wolves in the EU, which is insignificant compared to the 86 million sheeps reared. Between 2012 and 2016, the annual number of sheep compensated because of wolf depredation corresponded to 0.05% of the over-wintering sheep stock. 

More than 80 projects funded through the European Commission LIFE programme since 1992 have demonstrated the efficiency of coexistence measures such as livestock guarding dogs and fencing. These measures have proven more effective than culling large carnivores to protect livestock. Farmers across the EU should be appropriately supported to install and maintain such protection systems. In addition, risks of attacks in the EU are minor and wolves usually move away when encountering humans.

Benefits from wolves

Besides potential damages to livestock that can be efficiently prevented, wolves provide important services to the environment and the economy. They are keystone species, bringing back biodiversity, preventing the spread of diseases and reinstating a natural balance in the ecosystem, as demonstrated in Yellowstone National Park. Such services can also provide important economic benefits. In light of the global biodiversity crisis, the EU must ensure the continued protection of these important species and promote coexistence in the interest of all. 

We trust the European Commission will uphold their commitment to preserve existing protection levels. We also call for increased transparency on the data received and considered to be publicly available.

Local communities, scientists and all interested parties are invited to submit data by 22 September 2023 on wolf population and their impacts to the following email address:  EC-WOLF-DATA-COLLECTION@ec.europa.eu

Regards Mark

Environmental, General News, Hunting

Italy: Hunter Kills Popular Bear ‘Out of Fear’ Despite Being Attraction With Locals and Tourists; and We Thought They (Hunters) Were Fearless Men !! – Cubs Missing But Many Searching To Rescue. Lets Hope for Positive News.

WAV Comment – Bet he was wearing full combat gear when he murdered her; cos hunters have to dress up as real tough men you Know ? ! ? – we know that the killer was a hunter; and the ‘self defence’ issue has been kicked well into the grass; he killed because like all hunters, he just has a blood lust which goes against the norm – he enjoys killing.  But we understand that fortunately, he is now getting a hard time. Lest really hope that the cubs are found by the search teams; and that one day they can go hunting for revenge.

A popular female bear has been shot dead on the outskirts of a town in central Italy and a man has claimed he opened fire out of fear.

The bear, named Amarena, was filmed earlier this week roaming around the town of San Sebastiano Dei Marsi with her two cubs.

Local governor Marco Marsilio said no bear in the Abruzzo region had ever threatened residents with any danger.

The governor said on social media that the killing was incomprehensible and was a “very grave act against the whole Abruzzo region which leaves pain and anger”.

The man who killed the animal was identified and questioned by local police.

“I shot out of fear, but I didn’t want to kill. I found her inside my property and it was an impulsive, instinctive act,” he was quoted as saying by Ansa news agency.

Park director Luciano Sammarone told Ansa that the bear had crossed a private fence, but people should reserve judgement until it was established what had happened. “However, I’m struggling to believe this was a matter of self-defence.”

“Amarena was a symbol of the park,” said Piero Genovesi, head of Italy’s wildlife service Ispra. “Everybody loved her. She was so frequently observed; she was never aggressive.”

Continue reading and watch the video of the innocent bear amongst town folk at:

Shock after popular bear shot dead in Italian town – BBC News

Regards Mark

Comment from Jack:

Big strong hunters????

Never have seen one in 70 years. All I have seen is impeded, little scared punks!!

Any Man who carries a gun is a coward.

Thanks Jack – every word so true !

Please listen to the words:

‘Takes more than combat gear to make a man’

‘Takes more than a license for a gun’

Be yourself, no matter what they say.

Environmental, General News

Iceland lifts whaling ban as animal rights groups slam ‘shameful’ backstep.

Whalers cut open a 35-tonne Fin whale caught aboard a Hvalur boat off the western coast of Iceland. (Photo: HALLDOR KOLBEINS/AFP via Getty Images)

Metro, London: 

Iceland lifts whaling ban as animal rights groups slam ‘shameful’ backstep

Iceland has lifted a temporary ban on whaling, allowing hunting to resume under stricter regulations.

The moratorium imposed in June, on animal welfare grounds, ends on Thursday.

Animal rights groups responded to the decision with dismay, calling it ‘shameful’.

Reykjavík said it will resume hunting fin whales with new guidelines aimed at killing them as quickly as possible to reduce suffering.

Continue reading:  Iceland lifts whaling ban as animal rights groups slam ‘shameful’ backstep (msn.com)

Regards Mark

Also:

Whaling: animal rights groups slam Iceland’s ‘devastating’ decision to resume controversial practice (yahoo.com)

Iceland resumes whale hunting despite objections from animal rights groups (ibtimes.co.uk)