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A monthly Magazine edited and published by Maria Lopes - September 2004

Dear Friends,

Unfortunately the animal abuse does not decrease by the contrary. Some of the so called "popular fiestas" are being exported like running of bulls. France intends to hold its first running of bulls and an American television plans to air a reality show called Runing of Bulls where the winner apart from earning lots of money will travel to Pamplona to run with the bulls next year. Also, please don't forget to send postcards to Spain concerning the murder of "Rodanero".

For the Animals

Maria Lopes

Coordinator of the International Movement Against Bullfights

 

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. It is my view that the vegetarian manner of living, by its purely physical effect on the human temperament, would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind."
Albert Einstein (Nobel Prize)

 

CYPRUS 
STOP Greyhound Racing in Cyprus Source: Greyhound Action International
 
Greyhound Action International have issued a press release in English/Turkish to the  Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Internal Affairs and the media in Cyprus calling for a ban on greyhound racing. We are working closely with local animal rights campaigners Kopek Yarislarini Durduralim who have been working very hard to prevent the introduction of greyhound racing in Cyprus.
 
On the 14 of August 2004 the stadium officially opened. Anti racing campaigners were there to protest the opening, you can see pictures of the first demonstration on our website www.greyhoundaction.org.uk under the international section.(please keep checking as a section for cyprus will shortly be added).
 
So far there has been a great deal of media/tv/radio interest with articles printed about the demonstrations, the second of which took place on the 6th of september. At present we have the backing of 7 parliamentary ministers and are hoping to persuade more of them especially with the new elections coming up. There will be a press conference on the 4th October which is the international day for animals.
 
We need your support in order to stop greyhound racing taking off in Cyprus. The races haven't begun yet as they are still waiting to import the greyhounds.
 
1.Please fax the Ministry of Sports and Ministry of Internal Affairs and ask them to ban greyhound racing.
 
Ministry of Sports
moec@moec.gov.cy
Fax: +90 (392) 228 93 78 

 
Ministry of Internal Affairs
minint3@cytanet.com.cy
Fax: +90 (392) 228 50 54
 
2. Send protest letters to the stadium owners
 
Management: Serkan Inanli (UK)
Email: serkan@mesarya-racing.com
Tel: 07720081177
  
Management: Fatin Inanli (Cyprus)
Email: fatin@mesarya-racing.com
Tel: +90 (533) 868 39 74
 
By Post: Mesarya Stadium,
Inonu-Gazi Magusa
K.K.T.C
 
3. Contact the media and tell them the truth about greyhound racing and ask them to ban it in Cyprus.
 
MEDIA
 
arca@arcaajans.com,
avrupa@kktc.net,
gazetecumhuriyet@superonline.com,
alternatifhaber@hamamboculeri.org,
halkinsesi@superonline.com,
hsesi@north-cyprus.net,
eminakkor@halkinsesi.org,
kibris@kibrisgazetesi.com,
kibrisli@kktc.net,
mha@cc.emu.edu.tr,
ortamgazetesi@superonline.com,
simfm@defne.net,
skarahasan@milliyet.com.tr,
tak@cc.emu.edu.tr,
bilgi@vatangazetesi.net,
volkangazetesi@superonline.com,
yenicag@north-cyprus.net,
yeniduzen@defne.net
 
Sample letter (you may wish to write your own)
 
To: Ministry of Internal Affairs,
 
To: Ministry of Sports
 
Dear Sir
 
I call upon you to ban greyhound racing in Cyprus and to close down Mesarya Stadium.
Thousands of animals die each year in countries which allow greyhound racing. The results are devastating, not only is the cruelty towards the animals indescribable but encouraging gambling will only create problems in Cyprus. Greyhound racing/betting attracts and is associated with the criminal underworld and the use of illegal drugs as exposed in a documentary by the BBC.
 
Greyhound racing has been banned recently in South Africa and also in many states in the USA. Other countries will no doubt follow suit once they become aware of the cruelty involved. I urge you to please take action and ban greyhound racing Cyprus.
 
Yours respectfully,
 
Name, organization, country
 
FRANCE
 
PROTEST AGAINST THE FIRST RUNNING OF BULLS
 
Source: INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT AGAINST BULLFIGHTS
 
According to the Spanish newspaper "Noticias de Navarra", France will held the first running of bulls. This will take place in the village of Saint-Sever (Landes).
 
This event will take place next 8th November.
 
To see the article in Spanish:
 
Please send protest emails to:
 
Minister of Internal Affairs
(Please leave your comment on line, he does not have email address)
http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/rubriques/divers/contacts/mail_dgcl/contact
 
 
City HAll
Le Cabinet du Maire et son secr閠ariat
Tel : 05-58-76-43-85
Fax : 05-58-76-38-52
E-mail : secretariatmairie.saintsever@wanadoo.fr
http://mairie.saint-sever.fr/saint-sever.htm

Turism
Place du Tour de Sol
T閘閜hone : 05.58.76.34.64
T閘閏opie : 05.58.76.43.55
ot.saint-sever@libertysurf.fr,ot.saintsever-capdegascogne@wanadoo.fr
 
With CC to the newspapers:
 
"Liberation" has not email address so please leave your letter on line:
 
Dear Sir,
 
I was informed that permits were given for a running of bulls in the city of Saint-Sever, Landes next 8th November.
 
Running of bulls are despicable "fiestas" where not only are animals cruelly abused, but many people are seriously wounded or killed each year. The bulls are terrified into stampeding through paved streets, often injuring themselves by falling and breaking limbs, being crushed against stone walls, eventually being herded into a bullring where they are stabbed to death. This is the kind of Spanish "culture" you are intending to import into France. Whether you are to allow or not the killing of the bulls at the end of this "fiesta" does not affect the simple reality that these animals are to be tormented, terrified and abused for "entertainment".
 
The allowing of bullfighting in France does little for the reputation of your country as a humanitarian nation. Allowing this other Spanish perversion will do you even less honour. What will you import next? The throwing of goats from church towers?
 
I beg you to be proud of France's culture and traditions, and not to adopt these barbarous practices.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Name/Country
 
ITALY
 
CLOSE DOWN MORINI
 
Source: Massimo Tettamanti and Marina Berati
 
 
Probably many of you already know the Italian antivivisection campaign "Close down Morini" - where Morini is a farm which has been selling animals to vivisection laboratories (dogs and rodents) for more than 30 years.  You can find info about the campaign on the
website: http://www.morinicampaign.tk
 
Anyway, we are now here to ask your help for a specific purpose: now it's the time to make a STRONG pressure on the Mayor of S. Polo d'Enza, the small town where the farm is located. Why? Well, let's take a few steps back... two years ago, thanks to the huge protests from the public opinion all over Italy, horrified by the use of young beagle dogs in the vivisection laboratories, the Emilia Romagna Regional Council approved a regional law stating that "cats and dogs cannot be sold and used for experiments all over theregion". This law has caused a lot of problems to the Morini farm,because its main income came from selling the dogs, more than rodents or any other animal, to the laboratories.
 
But the vivisectors pressured the national Italian Government, so the judgement of the validity of this law has been submitted tothe "Constitutional Court". The Court has been examining the case for more than one year, during which time fortunately the law has been applied, and the farm has not been authorized to sell dogs to
the vivisectors.
 
Few weeks ago came the result of the Court examination: a badresult, because they decided that the law is not valid - they said that a single region cannot decide on this matter.
 
But at the moment the farm cannot sell dogs to the laboratories, yet, because in order to have the necessary permission renewed, the Mayor of the town must give an explicit authorization.
 
The former Mayor was absolutely in favour of the Morini farm, but A FEW WEEKS AGO A NEW MAYOR HAS BEEN ELECTED!
So it's really important to make pressure on him to convince him to "reconvert" the farm to another activity.
 
The interesting and new event is that a few days ago an "Open Meeting" of citiziens and companies operating in S. Polo has been created.
They wrote an "open letter" to the Mayor, asking him to stop the activity of the farm, both because of its cruelty and because of the damage to the "image" of the region and consequently to the business opportunities of all the other local companies**.
 
At this crucial moment, the Mayor must feel the responsibility for such a choice. It's a fundamental moment.
 
For this reason, we invite all of your to send him and all the regional council members, a "strong and clear" message. Here we present a draft message, but you are invited to write a personal one!
 
During the "Open Meeting", a network of animals shelter has been activated, and they are ready to accomodate ALL the animals now kept in the farm.
Please, take part in this protest!
 
 
 
Dear Mayor of S. Polo d'Enza,
Dear Regional Councillors,
 
Having been informed of the creation in S. Polo of an "Open Meeting on the Morini case", which asked you not to allow the Morini farm to keep selling dogs and cats to the experimentation laboratories, I want to express my full support to the goals of the Open Meeting.
 
Given that the Morini farm has been given the opportunity to be "converted" to a cruelty-free activity (thus ceasing to sell any kind of animals to the labs), I think that this is the right way to go, and invite you, as a Mayor of the city, to do what is in your power to reach this important and humane goal.
 
Best regards,
name, country
SPAIN
 
PROTEST AGAINST THE "TORO DE LA VEGA"
 
Source: International Movement Against Bullfights
 
Every year in September in Tordesillas, a bull is tortured and murdered in a spectacle called "Toro de la Vega". Hundreds of men run with medieval spears after a bull, sticking them into his body until his death.
 
Please continue to send postcards  and the text below to (for those who receive this Magazine in simple text, you can copy the postcard from our website at www.2kat.net/iwab . Please click in ongoing campaigns).
 
 
 
How is it possible that in 2004 non human animals are still tortured and killed?
 
How is it possible that Spain that pretends to be a civilized country allows the existence of such a barbaric and savage spectacle like this?
 
We don't understand that in the 21st century, hundreds of men with medieval spears chase a bull stabbing him to death.
 
Name/Country
UNITED KINGDOM
 
Cat and dog fur imports to UK INCREASE!
 
Source: It's their Destiny http://itstheirdestiny.2kat.net/
 
In December 2001, the British Government clearly stated that it intended to introduce legislation to ban the import of dog and cat fur into the UK. This statement was subsequently over time watered down to a "requirement for clear labelling" (clearly farsical given the Chinese exporters' preparedness to label as anything the importers wanted), to eventually the current "we don't think this happens but if it does, you prove it!" stance.
 
This position does the British Government little credit. One can only conclude that it is so terrified of the World Trade Organisation that it is blinded to the fact that the USA, Italy, Australia, Sweden, Denmark, and even Greece (not renown for its animal welfare legislation) have banned these imports, all without repercussions. British claims that it is impossible to reliably detect the origin of fur did not deter these nations either. Perhaps they are prepared to make a little more effort.
 
It is totally unacceptable that this situation is allowed to continue. British people are being fooled into buying products described as "rabbit or goat" that they would not buy were they aware of the true origin of these items. British consumers are being lied to in order to support an Asian industry that is revolting and utterly disgusting to them.
 
The following news item appeared in "This Is London" on 31/08/04
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/12880280?version=1
How UK is centre for £7million trade in cat and dog fur
 

By Isabel Oakeshott, Evening Standard Political Correspondent
 
Cat and dog fur is being shipped into Britain on a record scale, it is revealed today. Figures obtained by the Evening Standard show a huge surge in imports of the pelts for sale to the fashion industry. Traders from Europe and the Far East ferried up to £7million worth into Britain last year.
 
London has become a major international trading centre for the furs, following bans in other countries.
 
The scale of the business emerged in Customs and Excise records released to an MP. The statistics are normally available only to those who pay a subscription to access an obscure government website.
 
More than £40million of fur-related items poured into Britain last year - almost double the amount of five years ago. Imports of clothes and fashion accessories made with real fur have tripled from £4 million to about £12million in the past decade.
 
As well as fur clothes, more than £6million of "raw" animal fur, and £22million of tanned or "dressed" fur, from 12 named species and "other animals", was shipped into Britain last year.
 
Most of the pelts were from minks, foxes, or rabbits - although more unusual species, such as sea otters, sea lions and beavers are also involved.
 
However, £1 million worth of fur came from "wild felines" - while ?5.9 million fell into the " other " category. Experts say the majority of this is from domestic cats and dogs, since the 12 named categories cover almost everything else.
 
Andrew Butler, of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said: "These figures are shocking. There is a huge international trade in cat and dog fur, much of it coming from backyard suppliers in the Far East who are totally unregulated.
 
"The cruelty is massive. Many animals are taken from the streets and butchered using appallingly inhumane methods."
 
Although America, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Greece and Australia have banned all cat and dog fur imports, there are no such restrictions in Britain.
 
The majority of cat and dog fur arriving here comes from China, where two million animals a year are slaughtered for the trade.
 
MEP Struan Stevenson, who has campaigned for an EU-wide ban, said: "As dealers are forced out of other countries, they are coming here. The only way to stop this evil trade is to ban it throughout the EU."
 
Most of the pelts are only in Britain temporarily and then shipped to other countries. Although some cats and dogs are from fur farms, bred for their pelts, many are strays.
 
Undercover investigators from animal rights organisations have filmed backstreet operators in China and the Philippines rounding up cats, cramming them into tiny cages, and killing them using barbaric methods.
 
The figures - released at the request of Labour MP Lynne Jones - show the fur trade has undergone a dramatic revival. After a slump, which saw the overall value of fur imports to Britain drop to little over ?26million in 1999, imports climbed to £40.8million worth last year.
 
While the majority of British designers and models shunned real fur in the Nineties, many now appear to regard it as acceptable.
 
Last week, it emerged that Cindy Crawford - who once posed for the "I'd rather go naked than wear fur" campaign - has become a model for mink coat firm Blackglama.
 
Paul Littlefair of the RSPCA said: "We are very disturbed to see a general increase in the reappearance of all types of fur.
 
"This trend has created a market for whole garments as well as fur trim, toys and other novelties. Countries in east Asia have only recently begun producing dog and cat fur to meet demand.
 
"Most animals reared for fur in China and elsewhere are kept in extremely poor accommodation, and generally not slaughtered humanely."
 
The Department of Trade and Industry has not ruled out banning imports of fur from domestic cats and dogs, but fears new laws would be very difficult to enforce.
 
A DTI spokesman said: "It is almost impossible to tell whether the fur comes from wild or domestic animals. Often the only way to be sure is DNA testing. We would like to see more hard evidence from animal rights groups."
 
Please send emails to PM Tony Blair through his web site at http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page821.asp
 
and to Patricia Hewitt, the Minister for Trade and Industry at hewittph@parliament.uk.
 
UK citizens ONLY PLEASE, also send to your MP (to locate the email address of your MP, please go to http://www.faxyourmp.com - you can use this service to send them a fax as well but PLEASE write an original).
 
Dear Minister
 
In December 2001, the British Government clearly stated that it intended to introduce legislation to ban the import of dog and cat fur into the UK. This statement was subsequently over time watered down to a "requirement for clear labelling" (clearly farsical given the Chinese exporters' preparedness to label as anything the importers wanted), to eventually the current "we don't think this happens but if it does, you prove it!" stance.
 
This position does the British Government little credit. One can only conclude that it is so terrified of the World Trade Organisation that it is blinded to the fact that the USA, Italy, Australia, Sweden, Denmark, and even Greece (not renown for its animal welfare legislation) have banned these imports, all without repercussions. British claims that it is impossible to reliably detect the origin of fur did not deter these nations either. Perhaps they are prepared to make a little more effort.
 
It is totally unacceptable that this situation is allowed to continue. British people are being fooled into buying products described as "rabbit" or "goat" that they would not buy were they aware of the true nature of these items. British consumers are being lied to in order to support an Asian industry that is revolting and utterly disgusting to them.
 
I beg you to give the British consumer the protection offered to the citizens of other countries by banning these imports. Britain is also known throughout the world for its history of animal protection. Please do not allow this proud history to be sullied by inactivity over this issue.
 
Yours sincerely
Name/Country
U.S.A.
 
PROTEST AGAINST TV REALITY SHOW GLORIFYING RUNNING OF BULLS
 
Source: INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT AGAINST BULLFIGHTS
 
The Television Syndication Company Inc will air a reality show called "Running of Bulls".
This reality show will train 12 contestants to run with bulls, the winner to be sent to Pamplona next year.
This kind of show is not only outrageous but glorifies and promotes running of bulls.
The majority of people don't realise the cruelty involved in these "spectacles". The popular belief is that it is the runners who are at risk - the bulls are given little thought.
 
The bulls are harmed since they are released in an hostile environment, terrified and stressed. They try to flee the howling mob, slipping on the ground injuring limbs, they are rammed against stone walls etc., finally ending in the bullring where they will be speared, tortured and killed.
 
This program is insidious and dangerous because it will try to make this barbarity acceptable in the eyes of the public.
 
Here is an extract of the news taken from the website of the Television Syndicate Company:
"There has never been a reality series quite like “Running Bulls”.  We will comb the USA for six of the bravest young men and six of the bravest young women and send them off to “Courage School” in Spain, where they will learn everything needed to handle their final challenge, while at the same time eliminating one after the other until there are but for(sic) competitors remaining. During the famed “running of the bulls” in Pamplona, one will walk away with an unbelievably large amount of money."
 
Please sent protest emails to:
 
THE TELEVISION
SYNDICATION COMPANY, INC.
501 Sabal Lake Drive, #105
Longwood, FL 32779 USA
PHONE (407) 788-6407
FAX (407) 788-4397
E-Mail: TVSCO@prodigy.net
 
Dear Sirs,
 
I was both saddened and sickened to learn that you are to produce a new TV reality program entitled "Running of Bulls". This Spanish "fiesta" is illegal within the USA and most other civilised countries due to the extreme mistreatment of the animals involved.
 
The bulls used in this festival in Pamplona are terrified into stampeding through streets where their hooves can't grip the paving made slippery by the heat. Falling and being crushed into stone walls by their fellows, tormented constantly by the howling mob, they arrive eventually at the bullring where they are to end their lives, many already crippled by their headlong flight. Here they are tortured and stabbed to death for the delight of a blood-thirsty crowd.
 
A contest with a prize of participation in this event is tasteless in the extreme. It also sends a clear message that acts prohibited within the USA are somehow legitimate if performed in other countries with more lax legislation.
 
I beg you to rethink the suitability of filming this contest.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Name/Country
PETITIONSBan the export of greyhounds to Asia
http://www.petitiononline.com/GAIBEGA/petition.html  Calling for a total ban on the sale of ivory
http://www.bornfree.org.uk/elefriends/petition.htm Bring me home..." Repatriation of orangutans from Bangkok Safari World
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/822035733 STOP THE TORTURE OF GALGOS
http://www.thePetitionSite.com/takeaction/332134438  

Ban Greyhound Racing in Northern Cyprus
www.petitiononline.com/PABGR/petition.html

 

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Disclaimer: All items published in this magazine were received by us and we pass them on in good faith. We are not responsible for incorrect email addresses, errors, omissions etc. by the originators.

 

INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT AGAINST BULLFIGHTS

www.2kat.net/iwab

 

This Magazine published by Maria Lopes

marialopes@2kat.net

 

  

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