Visitors in my garden today, stocking up with a good feed on this cold day. Should be a lot warmer tomorrow. Called ‘Red Legged’ for obvious reasons.
Regards Mark
Category: Uncategorized
Insects authorised for food and feed
25 November 2021
If the legal framework is still in development, why are authorisation procedures moving forward?
The European Commission (EC) will ask Member States to authorise two new insect species for human consumption on 30 November (Comitology). Previously the EC had told Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in a written answer that “the Commission will continue to develop the legal framework for insects”.
During the last meeting of the Standing Committee on Plant, Animals, Feed and Food (PAFF), an Implementing Act authorised the sale of Locusta Migratoria, commonly known as grasshoppers, as a novel food. On 30 November, the Commission will present a draft implementing act to authorise Tenebrio Molitor, mealworms, and Acheta Domesticus, house crickets as a novel food.
These authorisations follow an amendment to the “Feed Ban” which allowed the use of processed insects in poultry and pig feed. Although authorisations for feed and food products may differ from a toxicological point of view, in terms of the market for the insect producing industry, both are connected and share similar areas of concern.
The time is now to have a broader political discussion on how to develop an appropriate framework for this growing industry. There is still a significant lack of knowledge surrounding insects and how best to rear them industrially. Taking hasty authorisation decisions today may prove costly further down the line.
Specifically, Eurogroup for Animals suggest considering carefully the following points:
- Industrial insect farming’s ecosystem impacts: Large scale insect farming may have consequences for local ecosystems, threaten food security and biodiversity. In addition to the destruction of crops or forests, high insect concentrations pose a health hazard as they can spread pathogens, can be parasitic and create extra competition for resources for other species.
- The changing climate increases the capacity of invasive alien species to establish: An increased risk of insect-borne pathogens would pose an additional threat to already struggling wild-living insects that are essential for the ecosystem, such as pollinators. Beyond the economic impact, the impact on local ecosystems would compromise both biodiversity and food security. Accidental releases from insect farms can, therefore, lead to inordinate concentrations of a species in a given area or the introduction of invasive alien species into European ecosystems. The economic consequences could be significant, considering that invasive species are the cause of a 14% reduction in global food production.
- Industrial insect farming is energy intensive and has potential high climate and environmental impacts: While insect protein is touted as an alternative feed that requires less land use, this case can only be made if the insects are fed on by-products. In practice, most producers do not rely on food waste to feed their insects. Life Cycle Analyses (LCA) show that insect farming is energy intensive and uses more land than generally assumed. The EU’s goal “to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU food system” by ensuring that the food chain has a neutral or positive environmental impact may be incompatible with the generalisation and intensification of insect farming. In fact, the EFSA notes that the environmental impact of insect farming will be comparable to other forms of animal production.
- Placing industrial insect production into the EU’s broader goals: promoting a sustainable food system instead of boosting factory farming: Insect-derived protein is presented as a solution to diminish the use of imported soy and other feed crops linked to deforestation, as well as replacing the use of fishmeal from depleted oceans. Promoting industrial insect production will, ultimately, sustain intensive animal production models instead of facilitating the transition to a sustainable food system as envisaged by the European Green Deal. A sustainable food system should focus on reducing the amount of animal products and supplying them from systems with higher welfare standards. Animal consumption patterns, therefore, should shift primarily to plant-based diets. Boosting industrial insect production for animal feed will sustain factory farming with its serious animal welfare and environmental concerns. Indeed, the European Commission’s Agricultural Outlook forecasts that the increased supply of insect meal and lower prices could support conventional intensive animal production if the practice is fully commercialised and existing restrictions lifted.
Read the position paper:
File
Position Paper – Insect farming: a false solution for the EU’s food system – October 202148
Or you can go Vegan !
Regards Mark
See all the fantastic work of Animal Aid Unlimited by viewing our past posts at:
https://worldanimalsvoice.com/?s=animal+aid+unlimited
I communicate regularly with Erika, joint founder of the superb AAU; and she sent this very sentimental message tonight. Use the above link if you wish to make a donation to this superb rescue organisation.
Regards Mark
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Dear Mark,
Even if, when you give to help the animals here, you are not consciously thinking “this gift is in memory of xyz,” it possibly is, in a sense, given in their memory—a tribute to the way they have shown us, given us profound, unforgettable, sparkling new love. And then they left us one day. If ever that sense of “he had to go;” “she needed to continue her journey” “they are angels called home,”—whatever phrasing comes to you, your heart pleaded for things to be otherwise, but in the end you said goodbye. Yet they stay in your heart.
I feel like whatever I do for animals, whether very modest and small (like fundraising for their food) or very spectacular and grand (like cleaning a LOT of poop and pee over the years) – some aspect of my service is done in the memory of someone(s) I have loved and had to say goodbye to. Or maybe it is not really right to say “in their memory”—it’s more like, they gave me the fuel I need now. They poured themselves into me and their sweetness somehow multiplies, grows, never fades, never leaves us, and then somehow merges and blends with other love we have for other animals, and for one another.
So I want to share with you right now that I fostered a dog—Bebe—for the first time in ages, inside the house in the beginning of October. I’d had sort of a moratorium on foster dogs because I have so many animals just outside the gate in Animal Aid, and they always triggered a trauma in the cats. But for some reason I decided to foster an abandoned little French bulldog-y type of about, I guess 2 years. She had one eye, severe anemia, seizures, rolling fevers and she wasn’t house trained at all. I don’t know if she’d ever spent time outdoors. She trembled if a voice was raised. She would pee inside and then try to hide. You could guess the history. We thought, at first, that maybe she had an infection somewhere, causing fever that triggered seizures. We treated her with antibiotics and anti-seizure medication. For a happy week she seemed to be on a recovery trail. Her fever went down, she got a bit of energy and even chased balls and trotted around the house and always ate like a trooper. But suddenly, she fell apart. This time her fever raged and she couldn’t hold down a drop of food. There was blood in her stool. We gave her drips that increased the production of blood plasma, liver tonic, antacid, anti-seizure medication, anti-nausea medicine, multi vitamins, –but after 2 weeks she was almost comatose and we had to say goodbye.
It astonishes me how much I miss her. I live in the midst of 400, 500 dogs, and dozens of them are absolutely my darlings, but Bebe I fell in love with like an explosion. Now, sitting here writing this, my arms are oddly empty. My fingers feel pointlessly efficient, no longer having to contort myself to reach the keyboard without her pug nose and bulging eye and velvety fur interfering with me on my lap. Without glancing down to see her ears that so innocently, so humbly flattened backwards like a blush. And best of all, her complete melting on my lap, to sleep, to dream, pliant in her total trust.
She came and left my life in less than a month, but time has no meaning in love. Habits, yes; we may miss some of our habits and they intensify with time, but I’m not talking about habits. I’m talking about the miracle of love that overtook me somewhere, somehow during these few days of cleaning her pee at 4.30 in the morning, her effort to be just a good girl, just the best girl, shining so brightly through her one protruding over-bred eye.
Well, now I have shared this episode with you and I feel a little better because I know, even if you can’t find time to write me back, I know you know. I know you’ve been here in your own version of this feeling of emptiness.
And I know, too, you’ve gone on to love again, (and again,) even more familiar with love, even more, ever more. We have these Beings to thank for that gift of love which is at the heart of all the animals you’ve helped save with your donations. How beautiful they were, how beautiful they have made you.
Erika
This is a regular visitor to the garden, but we were concerned as we had not seen him for a while.
Anyway, back now and looking beautiful – colours are amazing !
Had a good feed with all the other birds; I took these through the window, hence bad quality.
Welcome back my friend !¬
Regards Mark
Across the Northern hemisphere, we are heading into Winter now. Things have been pretty mild here in the UK until the last few days, when it is noticeably colder.
But the weather has been cold and clear, so a good time for photos. I ventured into the garden a few days back to see the amazing colours. Here are a few shots;
Regards Mark
Personal experience has shown me that, although many ‘officials’; the top people who work in regional authorities, regardless of their position and title; do not really have much a clue when it comes to pigeon management in their area. This includes reproduction, feeding and general issues which affect them and the birds welfare.
Venus travels several miles each day to her local town to give feed to pigeons in need. With so many clampdowns at the moment; her actions are literally a matter of life or death to many of these birds.
Some people call them ‘vermin’ or ‘flying rats’; but at the end of the day, they have a reason to exist as part of ‘the system’; are sentient creatures, and thus should be treated as such.
Feral pigeons are like stray dogs and cats; people in authority often (very wrongly) have the mindset, and undertake the principle that, if you kill of all (or as many as possible) of the birds in ‘your’ town or region, then they have largely resolved your pigeon ‘problem’ and will become a bird free town or region.
WRONG – just like the issue of stray dogs, culling pigeons often only largely eradicates the older and generally sicker, non breeding birds. But, by undertaking a cull, it lets the younger, healthier, and very reproductive birds remain in the area, or move into the area which will be new to them; in their search for more / better food; thus; just like killing stray dogs and cats, the ‘problem’ of bird numbers actually increases populations in an area rather than decreasing it.
I am not a pigeon specialist, but I have worked with, and know a man that is. His name is Guy and he is the founder of PICAS, set up in here in Southern England many years ago. I learned a lot about pigeon management from Guy.
I had the pleasure of getting to know (and respect) Guy when we worked together to fight for the pigeons in my (then) local town. His advice and expertise on the subject has always remained with me; just like the pigeon numbers that have remained or increased in the town as the local authority did not take his / our advice on pigeon management and control techniques; which I outline below.
PICAS stands for the Pigeon Control and Advisory Service, and their web site can be found at:
PiCAS Humane Non Lethal Methods of Bird Pest Control (picasuk.com)
Why lethal control fails:
PiCAS Humane Non Lethal Methods of Bird Pest Control Why Lethal Bird Control Fails (picasuk.com)
“Pigeons control their own numbers very effectively according to the volume of food available to them. An adult pair of pigeons will usually breed 4-6 times a year but can breed more frequently in optimum conditions, producing 2 young each time. If, however, the food supply reduces and there is only sufficient food available to support the existing flock, adult birds may only breed once or twice a year or possibly not at all. Pigeons will not breed if there is insufficient food to service the needs of their young.
If the food supply increases for any reason (following a cull for example), pigeons will breed continuously until the flock reaches the point where it is fully exploiting the food available to it. In other words, there is a minor population explosion each time a cull takes place.
The end result is an estimated 15% -30% increment in flock size over and above the pre-cull figure.
Commercial values have now overtaken good working practice in the pest control sector with pest control contractors recommending culling at every opportunity; as a direct result of this stance pigeon numbers throughout the UK continue to rise year on year. This is clearly not in the interest of those experiencing problems with pigeons (and other species of wild bird) and it is yet another example of the pest control industry putting profit before client’s needs”.
After a full visit and review of the local town site, Guy, with my own support, decided to present a non lethal approach to controlling and reducing pigeon numbers in the town.
A series of dovecotes (easily constructed – we supplied lists of materials and construction info) and feeding areas (located directly below them) were suggested as a primary means of control. This feeding area would allow people to continue feeding the birds if they wished, (as many do), but by having the cotes; a facility will be provided which will not only provide pigeons with a daytime perch, but also with an overnight roosting and breeding facility where flock size can be controlled by birth control (important). This is achieved by removing eggs say once every day or other day, as laid, from the dovecote and replacing them with dummy eggs. This simple but very effective method of numbers control will dramatically reduce pigeon flock size and is very cheap and simple to maintain. Although the infrastructure required to implement this type of system is straightforward, the overall programme is complex and should not be considered unless it is being provided in conjunction with advice from PiCAS.
PiCAS Humane Non Lethal Methods of Bird Pest Control Artificial Breeding Facilities (picasuk.com)
To cut to the chase; in the end, after a detailed presentation to the local council to outline our proposal; which included suggested sites around the town; construction materials lists; and cote construction sizes); allegedly due costs, council officials decided to ignore the control advice given and go instead with simply putting up a few ‘warning’ signs around the town asking people not to feed the birds.
This method of sticking up a few signs around the town is about as useful as a chocolate fireman !
Lots of people love to feed (and watch) birds. A few signs mean nothing. People will always feed regardless of signage.
Nothing in the way of costing for the signage and ‘alternatives’ were given as a comparison against our proposal.
Also, in their letter to myself (see above), the council suggested that they had been in touch with other councils and had no proof that the system proposed actually worked. As part of our presentation; we did supply information on several councils that had adopted the PIUCAS method of bird numbers management. The PICAS site now reflects some more recent issues:
PiCAS Humane Non Lethal Methods of Bird Pest Control Further Reading (picasuk.com)
Hey ho; some you win, some you lose.
As said, I learned a lot knowing Guy and the relationship with PICAS. This was quite a while ago and I have not returned for years now to see the current situation re bird control in the town.
We tried, we failed; but in the end you have to ask yourself who has been the real loser in this issue. I was glad to be part of it regardless; PICAS continues and the council ?; do they all live in a pigeon free zone now, one has to ask ? – I very much doubt.
Regards Mark
WAV Comment – Everyone will have their own opinion whether COP26 was a success or more of a failure. It is not for us to tell others; here below we supply a few links which you can review and then, given the info, decide for yourselves.
There are potentially positives; but have we not heard the issue of funding suffering nations from meetings in the past, and which have never been fulfilled ?
One thing is for sure, the world is in a crisis; and until world governments who really can make a difference for those who only suffer as a result of their actions, or inactions, we will continue to remain in crisis. The clock is ticking, and is very near to midnight.
So, please read the info in the attached links and hopefully at least get a better overall picture of both the pros and the cons.
Regards Mark
Cop26: Sharma appeals for nations to seal deal in ‘moment of truth’ for world (msn.com)
Cop26: Nations announce landmark Glasgow climate pact after last-minute weakening on coal (msn.com)
Cop26 ends in climate agreement despite India watering down coal resolution | Cop26 | The Guardian
Lots of good images – Cop26 Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | Shutterstock
Camels escape circus to roam streets of Madrid
The finger has been pointed at animal rights activists who reportedly protest against the circus every year
Eight camels and a llama escaped from a circus in Madrid after the fence guarding the animals was reportedly cut.
Police shared a tweet stating that they had found the exotic animals roaming the streets of the capital at around 5am on Friday.
They were found not far from where the circus, named Gran Circo Quiros, is based, in the southern district of Carabanchel.
However, the circus has claimed that the animals were released in an act of “sabotage”.
The circus said on Instagram: “Last night we suffered an animal sabotage, the animals are well.”
Circus manager Mati Munoz blamed animal activists for the camels escaping, telling AFP that the electric fence around the animals’ enclosure had been cut.
He added that animal rights activists protest the circus every year.
The City Council of Madrid has banned wild-animal circuses, saying they don’t meet “animals’ physiological, mental, and social needs” or respect their welfare.
Bactrian camels originate from the rocky deserts of central and eastern Asia and are able to survive in extreme conditions. However, the vast majority of them are now domesticated.
Wild animals are now banned from travelling circuses in the UK after legislation was passed under the Wild Animals in Circuses Act 2019.
It includes any animal not typically domesticated in the UK, such as big cats, camels, elephants, reindeer and zebras.
Camels escape circus to roam streets of Madrid | The Independent
Regards Mark
Richard Ratcliffe’s wife, Nazanin, has been used as a pawn now for over 5 years; detained by the Iranian authorities. Richard is now into his 18th day of a hunger strike to highlight this issue even more.
Richard Ratcliffe: ‘Please bring my wife Nazanin home’ | Evening Standard
Boris Johnson, the UK PM, along with many of his senior ministers, have let this issue fester for far too long. It is a gutless British government led by a gutless British PM.
Free Nazanin NOW.
Read the story here:
Free Nazanin NOW.
Free Nazanin NOW.
Iran: Do The Right Thing and FREE Nazanin Immediately. – World Animals Voice
Regards Mark
Hi all;
This is really for UK residents only, but it will provide an insight into the ‘scratch my back, I scratch yours’ lobbying / open doors issues which happen in politics.
As we (UK) are all aware of, and by now, totally bored with; a lot in the media / press recently about Members of Parliament (MP) having ‘other’ paid ‘work’ in addition to that of being an MP, for which they are paid a basic salary of £81,932.
We personally would often call it being a lobbyist for an organisation or company; the very recent Owen Patterson MP case showing that he was paid in excess (in addition to his MP salary) of £110k to be a ‘consultee’ for 2 organisations. Very much case of getting money to open the right doors we would say; something which campaign groups do not have the funds to do, or wish to be involved with.
Owen Patterson links for reference:
Owen Paterson quits as MP over lobbying row ‘nightmare’ – BBC News
Owen Paterson: Government faces backlash over new conduct rules plan – BBC News
So here and now, I am supplying UK residents with a few links which will help them determine if ‘their’ MP is being paid for work in addition to than being an MP. Most people outside of parliament would think and say that being an MP is a full time job in its own right; let alone having more time to earn extra money for undertaking extra duties; but the data provided in the following may show differently.
Today, 9/11/21, we now have additional info relating to one as provided here:
Tory ex-cabinet minister voted remotely in Commons while in Caribbean for £800k legal work (msn.com)
Here below is the main (They work for you) link which allows you to find your own MP and any financial interests associated with them. I (Mark) have not obtained this info through the back door, through ‘contacts’, lobbyists, or any other secretive routes. It is information which is available to everyone who has computer access and knows where to look.
I know where to look and so I want to share the link with you, without me asking for any financial backhanders to do so; a case of simply passing over info so that you can look at your own MP in a little more detail; view them a little differently (?); and maybe ask them some questions if you wish.
Main Link: Find your MP and review their case.
TheyWorkForYou
In addition, here below is a link from the BBC which again details additional ‘work’ payments that are being given to some MP’s in addition to their MP salary of £81,932.
No wonder Boris Johnson (Prime Minister) is trying to keep it all quiet and sweep it under the carpet. Personally, I view it that an MP is an MP, full stop; and should have NO other job or paid work interests. Some people would skin their grandmother for a few extra quid; and to some, making money is the ‘god’ that they worship. Fortunately, lots of us ‘normal people’ are not in the same boat; we get by and fight the fights that we feel need actions; without paying for doors to be opened or other favours to get us up the pyramid.
BBC Link:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-59206904
I hope you find it of use, maybe an eye opener !
Regards Mark
‘Tiger King’ Joe Exotic says he has ‘aggressive cancer’
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The man known as “Tiger King,” who gained fame in a Netflix documentary following his conviction for trying to hire someone to kill an animal rights activist, says he has cancer.
“It is with a sad face that I have to tell you … that my prostate biopsy’s came back with an aggressive cancer,” Joe Exotic, who is being held at a federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas, wrote on a Twitter post Wednesday.
The blond mullet-wearing former Oklahoma zookeeper, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is known for his expletive-laden rants on YouTube and a failed 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial campaign.
He was prominently featured in the popular documentary “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.”
He was sentenced to 22 years in prison in 2020 after being convicted for violating federal wildlife laws and a failed murder-for-hire plot targeting Carole Baskin, who runs a rescue sanctuary for big cats in Florida.
A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in Denver in July ordered Maldonado-Passage be resentenced to a shorter term, finding that the trial court wrongly treated the two convictions separately in calculating his prison term.
‘Tiger King’ Joe Exotic says he has ‘aggressive cancer’ (apnews.com)
