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Home > Archive > UK gardening > October 2005 > Bird flu crisis: Animal Aid Calls for Ban on Pet Fairs and Game Bird Production
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Bird flu crisis: Animal Aid Calls for Ban on Pet Fairs and Game Bird Production
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| I see its down to groups like Animal Aid to once again do the job of
CONservation hooligans like the RSPB. Sadly I fear we listened too
late, this flu is going to be a biggie. Go veggie and save yourself.
http://www.animalaid.org.uk/press/0510bflu.htm
Bird flu crisis:
Animal Aid Calls for Ban on Pet Fairs and Game Bird Production
As the nation finds itself in the grip of hysteria over a bird flu
pandemic, Animal Aid urgently calls upon the government to tackle two
issues, which make worse an already critical situation.
Though wild birds will undoubtedly act as carriers of bird flu, Animal
Aid remains firm in its opinion that the intensive production of
poultry in dirty, overcrowded and disease-ridden factory farms - both
in the UK, and globally (including South East Asia, where the H5N1
strain is said to have originated) - is at the root of the problem. It
is in these conditions that diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and
infestations flourish and mutate. Disease organisms that develop in
the unnatural environment of factory farms can cross to wild bird
populations when the birds come into contact with blood, faeces and
feathers from the intensively-reared animals - or indeed when wild
birds touch down on equipment, feeding bins and transporters.
Migratory birds are being scapegoated by international governments,
which will not acknowledge the central role of factory farming in such
catastrophes.
Whilst the possibility of cooping-up the entire UK free range poultry
flock hangs in the air, 35 million pheasants will just have been
released into the countryside. These birds are purpose-bred for the
shooting industry, which uses battery cages, sheds and giant open pens
to grow-on the animals before their release when the shooting season
starts on October 1st.
These purpose-bred birds are as much at risk of catching avian
influenza from wild, migratory birds as outdoor poultry flocks. Should
they become infected, they will in turn spread the virus. Whilst it is
too late to halt this year's release, now is the time for the
government to take decisive steps to prevent shooting estates from
unleashing a new generation of game birds into the wild next year.
Breeding for next season's birds, which starts in the spring, must not
now take place.
In a separate vein, two weeks ago the Stafford bird fair took place, a
one-day event at which many wild-caught birds were on sale to the
public. The Stafford sale is one high profile event on the bird
dealing calendar, but other smaller, low-key events take place from
time to time across the country. Although such fairs are illegal under
current animal welfare legislation, the prohibition is flouted by some
rogue local councils.
In the recently announced new Animal Welfare Bill, the government set
out its plans to legalise pet fairs, at which many wild-caught birds
are sold by itinerant traders. As well as being stressful and indeed
lethal for many of the birds traded, such events create a major health
hazard, as Animal Aid has long warned. The death from bird flu of a
parrot destined for the pet trade has set alarm bells ringing. This
parrot died while being held in quarantine, however there is no
guarantee that other such 'imports' will not end up at pet fairs. The
importation of wild-caught birds has brought bird flu to our shores
and these events provide the perfect vehicle for disease transmission.
The government must reverse its intention to legalise these events.
It is not sufficient to deal with these disease outbreaks on a
reactive basis. Animal Aid calls on the government to act now to:
ban the import of wild-caught birds;
reverse its decision to legalise itinerant pet market and bird fairs
at which wild birds are sold;
instruct the game bird industry that because of the current crisis,
the breeding of pheasants and partridges to be shot during the 2006
season cannot take place.
Notes to Editors
To arrange an interview with an Animal Aid representative, please
telephone Claudia Tarry on 01732 364546, ext 28. Out of hours call
07918 083774
We have an ISDN line for broadcast quality interviews
Read our policy statement on avian flu
Top ^
www.animalaid.org.uk | site map | about us |
Animal Aid campaigns peacefully against all animal abuse, and
promotes a cruelty-free lifestyle. You can support our work by
joining, making a donation, or using our online shop. Contact Animal
Aid at The Old Chapel, Bradford Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1AW, UK,
tel +44 (0)1732 364546, fax +44 (0)1732 366533, email
info@animalaid.org.uk
Animal Welfare Abuses to blame for Bird Flu
With the threat of a global pandemic of avian - or bird - flu
dominating the headlines, concern centres on its risk to human beings.
Clearly this is of paramount importance, but it is about time we
focused on the suffering of millions of avian victims who are being
slaughtered in attempt to stop the spread. Coverage of the mass
precautionary culling taking place throughout Asia and latterly,
Turkey, Greece and Romania, never mentions the welfare of the birds,
who are being killed in the most brutal ways. Nor the fact that it is
the intensive systems in which they are kept that are to blame for
this latest disease outbreak.
Wild, migratory birds are accused of being carriers of the disease,
yet history tells us - as with bovine TB, foot and mouth, BSE, E.
coli, salmonella, campylobacter and pig wasting disease etc - that
factory farming is the root of the problem. Modern, intensive farming
conditions are so unnatural and inhumane that diseases run rife in the
crowded, windowless sheds. Farmed animals are treated as expendable
units of production by an industry whose sole focus is maximum
production for minimum expense. The animals' health is compromised to
such a degree that a complete breakdown of resistance results. The
terrible conditions, combined with farmed animals living in close
proximity to humans - as in Asia - has caused this recent outbreak.
If we continue to treat animals in this way and exploit them past
their physiological limits to cope, then we will be forced to live
with the consequences.
So far, more than 35 million birds have been slaughtered with a total
disregard for their suffering. Country to country, chicks and adult
birds are being stuffed en masse into garbage bins and sacks in which
they are crushed and suffocate. Others are burned alive. And let's not
pretend that such rampant cruelty only happens in other countries.
During the 2001 foot and mouth epidemic, the mass slaughter of sheep,
cattle and pigs was distressing, crude and heartless.
If people are concerned about the implications to human health, or are
upset by the death scenes on TV, then they must take responsibility
for their actions. Stop eating animals and be part of solution rather
than the problem.
Read our close up on the BSE crisis - another pandemic caused by
intensive farming methods
http://www.animalaid.org.uk/pets/index.htm
The pet trade
Each year, millions of dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters,
mice, birds, 'ornamental' fish, snakes and other animals are bred to
supply the pet industry.
Most are sold in pet shops but a glance through the ads in your local
paper will invariably reveal a long list of breeders selling animals.
Animals are even for sale on the internet. Wild caught birds and
reptiles imported from abroad are often sold at illegal pet markets
across the UK.
While millions of animals are being bred or captured to supply the pet
trade, shelters and sanctuaries are overflowing with unwanted animals.
Every year thousands have to be killed because they cannot be rehomed.
Others are forced to live out their days lonely and unloved because
their carers haven't got time for them any more.
| |
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| On Wed, 26 Oct 2005 11:23:20 +0100, Paul <msn@netskirts.com> wrote:
>I see its down to groups like Animal Aid to once again do the job of
>CONservation hooligans like the RSPB. Sadly I fear we listened too
>late, this flu is going to be a biggie. Go veggie and save yourself.
>
Thanks for the heads up Paul. You're quite right, just how long can
man think he can get away with abusing themselves and the planet
without reaping what they sow?
>http://www.animalaid.org.uk/press/0510bflu.htm
>
>
>Bird flu crisis:
>Animal Aid Calls for Ban on Pet Fairs and Game Bird Production
>As the nation finds itself in the grip of hysteria over a bird flu
>pandemic, Animal Aid urgently calls upon the government to tackle two
>issues, which make worse an already critical situation.
>
>Though wild birds will undoubtedly act as carriers of bird flu, Animal
>Aid remains firm in its opinion that the intensive production of
>poultry in dirty, overcrowded and disease-ridden factory farms - both
>in the UK, and globally (including South East Asia, where the H5N1
>strain is said to have originated) - is at the root of the problem. It
>is in these conditions that diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and
>infestations flourish and mutate. Disease organisms that develop in
>the unnatural environment of factory farms can cross to wild bird
>populations when the birds come into contact with blood, faeces and
>feathers from the intensively-reared animals - or indeed when wild
>birds touch down on equipment, feeding bins and transporters.
>
>Migratory birds are being scapegoated by international governments,
>which will not acknowledge the central role of factory farming in such
>catastrophes.
>
>Whilst the possibility of cooping-up the entire UK free range poultry
>flock hangs in the air, 35 million pheasants will just have been
>released into the countryside. These birds are purpose-bred for the
>shooting industry, which uses battery cages, sheds and giant open pens
>to grow-on the animals before their release when the shooting season
>starts on October 1st.
>
>These purpose-bred birds are as much at risk of catching avian
>influenza from wild, migratory birds as outdoor poultry flocks. Should
>they become infected, they will in turn spread the virus. Whilst it is
>too late to halt this year's release, now is the time for the
>government to take decisive steps to prevent shooting estates from
>unleashing a new generation of game birds into the wild next year.
>Breeding for next season's birds, which starts in the spring, must not
>now take place.
>
>In a separate vein, two weeks ago the Stafford bird fair took place, a
>one-day event at which many wild-caught birds were on sale to the
>public. The Stafford sale is one high profile event on the bird
>dealing calendar, but other smaller, low-key events take place from
>time to time across the country. Although such fairs are illegal under
>current animal welfare legislation, the prohibition is flouted by some
>rogue local councils.
>
>In the recently announced new Animal Welfare Bill, the government set
>out its plans to legalise pet fairs, at which many wild-caught birds
>are sold by itinerant traders. As well as being stressful and indeed
>lethal for many of the birds traded, such events create a major health
>hazard, as Animal Aid has long warned. The death from bird flu of a
>parrot destined for the pet trade has set alarm bells ringing. This
>parrot died while being held in quarantine, however there is no
>guarantee that other such 'imports' will not end up at pet fairs. The
>importation of wild-caught birds has brought bird flu to our shores
>and these events provide the perfect vehicle for disease transmission.
>The government must reverse its intention to legalise these events.
>
>It is not sufficient to deal with these disease outbreaks on a
>reactive basis. Animal Aid calls on the government to act now to:
>
>ban the import of wild-caught birds;
>reverse its decision to legalise itinerant pet market and bird fairs
>at which wild birds are sold;
>instruct the game bird industry that because of the current crisis,
>the breeding of pheasants and partridges to be shot during the 2006
>season cannot take place.
>Notes to Editors
>
>To arrange an interview with an Animal Aid representative, please
>telephone Claudia Tarry on 01732 364546, ext 28. Out of hours call
>07918 083774
>We have an ISDN line for broadcast quality interviews
>
> Read our policy statement on avian flu
>
>Top ^
>
>
>
>www.animalaid.org.uk | site map | about us |
>
> Animal Aid campaigns peacefully against all animal abuse, and
>promotes a cruelty-free lifestyle. You can support our work by
>joining, making a donation, or using our online shop. Contact Animal
>Aid at The Old Chapel, Bradford Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1AW, UK,
>tel +44 (0)1732 364546, fax +44 (0)1732 366533, email
>info@animalaid.org.uk
>
>
>
>Animal Welfare Abuses to blame for Bird Flu
>With the threat of a global pandemic of avian - or bird - flu
>dominating the headlines, concern centres on its risk to human beings.
>Clearly this is of paramount importance, but it is about time we
>focused on the suffering of millions of avian victims who are being
>slaughtered in attempt to stop the spread. Coverage of the mass
>precautionary culling taking place throughout Asia and latterly,
>Turkey, Greece and Romania, never mentions the welfare of the birds,
>who are being killed in the most brutal ways. Nor the fact that it is
>the intensive systems in which they are kept that are to blame for
>this latest disease outbreak.
>
>Wild, migratory birds are accused of being carriers of the disease,
>yet history tells us - as with bovine TB, foot and mouth, BSE, E.
>coli, salmonella, campylobacter and pig wasting disease etc - that
>factory farming is the root of the problem. Modern, intensive farming
>conditions are so unnatural and inhumane that diseases run rife in the
>crowded, windowless sheds. Farmed animals are treated as expendable
>units of production by an industry whose sole focus is maximum
>production for minimum expense. The animals' health is compromised to
>such a degree that a complete breakdown of resistance results. The
>terrible conditions, combined with farmed animals living in close
>proximity to humans - as in Asia - has caused this recent outbreak.
>
>If we continue to treat animals in this way and exploit them past
>their physiological limits to cope, then we will be forced to live
>with the consequences.
>
>So far, more than 35 million birds have been slaughtered with a total
>disregard for their suffering. Country to country, chicks and adult
>birds are being stuffed en masse into garbage bins and sacks in which
>they are crushed and suffocate. Others are burned alive. And let's not
>pretend that such rampant cruelty only happens in other countries.
>During the 2001 foot and mouth epidemic, the mass slaughter of sheep,
>cattle and pigs was distressing, crude and heartless.
>
>If people are concerned about the implications to human health, or are
>upset by the death scenes on TV, then they must take responsibility
>for their actions. Stop eating animals and be part of solution rather
>than the problem.
>
> Read our close up on the BSE crisis - another pandemic caused by
>intensive farming methods
>
>
>http://www.animalaid.org.uk/pets/index.htm
>
>The pet trade
>Each year, millions of dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters,
>mice, birds, 'ornamental' fish, snakes and other animals are bred to
>supply the pet industry.
>
>Most are sold in pet shops but a glance through the ads in your local
>paper will invariably reveal a long list of breeders selling animals.
>Animals are even for sale on the internet. Wild caught birds and
>reptiles imported from abroad are often sold at illegal pet markets
>across the UK.
>
>While millions of animals are being bred or captured to supply the pet
>trade, shelters and sanctuaries are overflowing with unwanted animals.
>Every year thousands have to be killed because they cannot be rehomed.
>Others are forced to live out their days lonely and unloved because
>their carers haven't got time for them any more.
>
| |
| Peter Parsnip 2005-10-26, 8:21 am |
| Be still! and revere Peter, who blessed us with their presence on 26 Oct
2005...
> just how long can man think he can get away with abusing themselves and
> the planet without reaping what they sow?
But surely that is the point of man abusing himself? He does not sow,
therefore he does not reap.
--
1> Peter Parsnip
2> Compliance
3> Further compliance
4> At the limit of compliance
5> Non-compliant. As always.
| |
| Phillip Kyle 2005-10-27, 8:21 pm |
| peterparsnip@gmail.com (Peter Parsnip) verbally sodomised in
news:Xns96FB762A39549meowth@the-way-of-the-parsnip.root-vegetables:
> Be still! and revere Peter, who blessed us with their presence on 26 Oct
> 2005...
>
>
> But surely that is the point of man abusing himself? He does not sow,
> therefore he does not reap.
>
And that is the story of Neil Barker.
--
Phil Kyle™
http://philkyle2003.reachme.at/
"The truly racist person is one Helene Rudlin, who admits it."
- Neil Barker <MPG.1c47999866a4baf798976c@127.0.0.1>
"I wonder - is there perhaps some form of cosmetic surgery we can pay for,
so that Helene can actually become a coon ?"
- Neil Barker <MPG.1c479b87e7a43ce989770@127.0.0.1>
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