What will you teach your kids?
Animals are not exhibition pieces; they are individuals.

We have a responsibility to teach our children about compassion and respect for other animals.

Society won’t do it and maybe not the school either.

We need to relieve our children of lies, prejudice, and ignorance.

The sooner the better.

Regards and good night, Venus

 

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In addition to world-famous fur giants such as Denmark and Poland, Greece also operates around 90 active mink farms.
Given the significant health risks associated with COVID-19 outbreaks on mink farms, fur farming is receiving a lot of attention right now.

On November 16, 2020, the Greek Ministry for Rural Development and Food announced that minks had tested positive for the coronavirus on a fur farm in the Kozani area- in the north of the country.

Minks in Kastoria-Greece

As in November 2020 in Denmark, as a precautionary measure, all 2,500 minks were tortured and their bodies burned on the Greek farm.

The Greek fur industry has been in decline for years

The fur industry in Greece is clearly feeling the decline in global demand for fur products.
2018 data from the Greek statistical agency shows a visible decline in Greek fur exports.

Nevertheless, thousands of mink are still locked in tiny lattice cages and gassed at the young age of six months.

The fur is not a cultural heritage

To prevent the downfall of the cruel industry, the Association of the Greek Fur Industry submitted an application for recognition of fur production in the national inventory of intangible cultural heritage in 2016.

The aim of such an inclusion in the state inventory is the possibility of being able to describe the peeled animal skins as a kind of art form.

Mink-Kastoria

It is time for the Greek Parliament to ban this dying industry, with all the pain and suffering it causes, once and for all.

You too can help save hundreds of thousands of animals from a cruel death.

Animals still suffer on over 90 fur farms in Greece. Write to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis now and demand an end to all Greek fur farming!

Take action and ban fur farming in Greece!

Online Petition (text)…

Griechische Pelzfarmen sofort schließen – unterschreiben Sie jetzt!

For more…at https://worldanimalsvoice.com/2020/12/19/shut-down-the-90-fur-farms-in-greece/

 

And I mean…” Closed due to the pandemic”. The sign on the door of the fur shops in Greece in three languages – Greek, Russian and English – posted a few weeks ago, for the second time this year, is probably unnecessary, as there are no potential buyers due to lockdown.

Why should it be any different in Greek fur farms than in Denmark or the Netherlands?

Corona has also attacked 2,500 animals there and, as in other countries, genocide will be the “solution”, and the Greek fur farm owners have already wiped out 2,500 creatures!

Another 5,000 animals in one of the four farms are likely to be killed, as several of the mink have already died there,

More than 1 million fur animals live and suffer on Greek farms.

The annual turnover was 250 million euros until 2019, this year it has dropped to 5 million. Many companies in northern Greece that used to benefit from fur animals are now closed.

But not only due to Corona.
The fur industry is taking its last breath, internationally.
Fur has no future, nor does fur production in Greece

More than 90% of fur-exports from Greece go to Russia.
But since 2014 -15 this is no longer the case.

Because on the one hand, Russia is strengthening the internal production of fur, which however is not enough.
On the other hand, China is now Russia`s main supplier of fur.

But the Greek government does not want to see the truth. While the collapse of the fur-sector, a sector that is coming to an end at a very fast pace, is a global reality including Greece, the Minister of Agriculture Development announces support of 3 million for the fur breeders sector.

Those who are involved in the fur-breeding industry often cite a number of “arguments” to justify the abuse of live and sentient animals.

“breeding furs is exactly the same as raising chickens, sheep, or cows.”

Correct!
But that’s the same absurd logic if we were to acquit a murderer because so many other people commit crimes too.

My best regards to all, Venus

 

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Well as it is fast approaching Christmas; it was decided to search around a bit and try to present you with a few choices for your animal friendly, no kill Christmas.  Here below you will find a selection of links for both Vegetarian and Vegan meals and recipes for your Christmas nosh.

Being based in both England and Germany, we see some great news reaching us – for example; ‘Waitrose’ is a top UK supermarket, selling top range food.  They are probably the No1 supermarket in the UK when it comes to their attention to animal welfare and cruelty free food.  They pride themselves on their high welfare standards, and quite rightly so; having won countless awards for their approach. https://www.waitrose.com/home/inspiration/about_waitrose/the_waitrose_way/waitrose_animal_welfarecommitments.html

Waitrose says: Waitrose & Partners wins best retailer for animal welfare standards

Our animal welfare standards are some of the most stringent in the world. We know this because Waitrose & Partners has retained the award for best retailer in Europe for our farm animal welfare standards. We rear all of our livestock to certified higher welfare standards.  

Animal welfare organisation Compassion in World Farming (CiWF) judged our standards better than those of 27 other retailers in Europe, including 10 in the United Kingdom. 

CiWF uses its Supermarket Survey to judge the winner based on a company’s animal welfare standards for laying hens, broiler chickens, dairy cows and calves, sows and meat pigs and farmed fish. 

In the UK at the moment, Pre orders for Vegan Christmas food up 700% at Waitrose alone; forgetting all the other supermarkets; and we also see that no less than 20% of the UK population are going to have a solely Vegan Christmas when it comes to food this year – amazing ! : 20% of Brits will serve an entirely vegan Christmas dinner this year (veganfoodandliving.com)

We at WAV hope we have played a very small part in this.  Through the site we have bombarded you with news and videos featuring countless exposes of facilities causing untold animal suffering around the world.  The figures above undoubtedly tell us that today, 2020, the world is changing and people are not going to continue to accept cruel animal practices that have gone on behind closed doors in the past.  We have an old saying here in the UK and that is:  “If slaughterhouse walls were made of glass, then everyone would be a vegetarian / vegan”.

People are now voting with their mouths and with their wallets; and the message they are clearly sending is more than clear that they do not wish to be associated with animal cruelty and suffering.  Plant based is the way forward now; and food retailers and food services the world over are now waking up to this – if you want business, then go for plant based food; and cut out the animal cruelty and suffering.

Wishing you a cruelty free Christmas; but please spare a though also for all those who are still suffering within the cages, bars and confines of the factory farm systems.  The fight to free them all goes on and gets stronger every single day.

Regards Mark.

Vegan Christmas Food:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegan-christmas-recipes

https://www.peta.org.uk/recipes/

https://avirtualvegan.com/vegan-christmas-dinner-menu/

https://www.jamieoliver.com/christmas/collection/vegan/

https://hurrythefoodup.com/vegan-christmas-dinner-recipes/

The best vegan Christmas recipes – featuring 45 festive recipes!

Best vegan Christmas ranges to buy in UK supermarkets for 2020

UK – Waitrose – Pre order for Vegan Christmas food up 700% at Waitrose !

Pre-orders for vegan Christmas food are up 700% at Waitrose

5 Vegan Christmas Recipes Even Meat-Eaters Will Love

Vegan Sales Surge: Supermarkets Report ‘Selling Out’ Of Plant-Based Christmas Foods:

Vegan Sales Surge: Supermarkets Report ‘Selling Out’ Of Plant-Based Christmas Foods

Best vegan Christmas dinner mains tried and tasted by Which?

https://www.stylist.co.uk/life/recipes/easy-vegan-christmas-dinner-recipes/463393

20% of Brits will serve an entirely vegan Christmas dinner this year:

20% of Brits will serve an entirely vegan Christmas dinner this year

Vegetarian Christmas Food:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegetarian-christmas-recipes

https://www.olivemagazine.com/guides/best-ever/best-ever-vegetarian-christmas/

https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/collections/vegetarian-christmas-dinner-recipes/

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegetarian-christmas-recipes

https://www.hubbub.org.uk/veggie-christmas-dinner-recipes?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzNOn1vrZ7QIVjtPtCh03HggMEAAYAiAAEgKWlfD_BwE

https://www.jamieoliver.com/christmas/collection/vegetarian/

https://vegsoc.org/trademarked-products/

https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/christmas/g3140/vegetarian-christmas-dinner/

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WAV Comment:  Big Wow ! – congratulations to President elect Joe Biden, Deb Haarland, and Michael Regan on the award of their new positions which will overturn all the environmental destruction caused by loser Trump over recent years.  It is especially wonderful to see Deb Haarland; a Native American, to serve with such an important position in the cabinet; with her department’s jurisdiction covering tribal lands and vast tracts of protected American wilderness, including jewels such as Yellowstone and Yosemite national parks.

Mr. Regan will be a leading member of the new, expanded Biden team focusing on reversing Trump’s environmental rollbacks and address the climate crisis with a plan for bringing the US economy to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Super choices for an America and its wildlife that very much needs protection from the bad muppets that we have seen from Trump and ‘his mates’ over the past years.

We at WAV very much welcome these appointments; as do the vast eco warrior tribes of the world.  Haarland, a lady who originated from peoples who loved and protected the environment.  We hope she will right all the Trump wrongs in the coming years.

Superb news !

 

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Biden picks Deb Haaland as first Native American interior secretary

President-elect will also nominate regulator Michael Regan to head Environmental Protection Agency

Joe Biden has chosen the US lawmaker Deb Haaland as interior secretary and will nominate the North Carolina official Michael Regan to head the Environmental Protection Agency, in two diverse and influential picks to handle crucial issues such as public lands, pollution and the climate crisis.

Haaland, a progressive Democratic congresswoman from New Mexico since 2019, would be the first Native American cabinet secretary and one of the first Native Americans ever to serve in a US cabinet. The department’s jurisdiction covers tribal lands and vast tracts of protected American wilderness, including jewels such as Yellowstone and Yosemite national parks.

In a tweet on Thursday evening, Haaland said she was “honored and ready to serve” as interior secretary.

“A voice like mine has never been a cabinet secretary or at the head of the Department of Interior,” she added.

Haaland is a member of Pueblo of Laguna and would become the first descendant of the original people to populate North America to run the interior department, which has often had a difficult relationship with the 574 federally recognized tribes in the US, the Washington Post reported.

And she has told the Reuters news agency she would seek to usher in an expansion of renewable energy production on federal land to contribute to the fight against climate change, and undo Donald Trump’s regressive focus on bolstering fossil fuels output.

Progressives hailed the selection of Haaland as “perfect choice” and a “fierce ally” of the environmental movement.

“Rep Deb Haaland’s appointment as secretary of the interior is a historic moment for every Native American and the Green New Deal movement,” said Varshini Prakash, the executive director of the youth-led Sunrise Movement.

She added: “With a progressive leader at the helm, we can make real progress on stopping climate change and ensure sovereignty and dignity for all Native people and justice for all.”

Climate activists, joined by progressive members of Congress, tribal leaders and Hollywood celebrities, had mounted a public campaign in support of Haaland. The interior secretary will be critical to enacting Biden’s ambitious climate plan as well as playing an important role leading discussions between the federal government and tribal nations.

The House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, had issued a statement on Wednesday saying: “Congresswoman Haaland knows the territory, and if she is the president-elect’s choice for interior secretary, then he will have made an excellent choice.”

The retiring New Mexico senator Tom Udall, a Democrat who was also reportedly under consideration for the role, was among the first politicians to congratulate Haaland, calling her appointment a “watershed moment for Native communities, and for our nation”.

In a statement, Udall praised her as someone who would use the position to “undo the damage of the Trump administration, restore the department’s workforce and expertise, uphold our obligations to Native communities, and take the bold action needed to tackle the accelerating climate and nature crises.”

“I am confident that she will be both a historic interior secretary and an excellent one,” he added.

Theresa Pierno, the president and CEO for the National Parks Conservation Association, said Haaland would be ready for the job “on day one” and was a congressional “champion” who had helped hold the line on conservation.

“Amid a global pandemic and climate crisis, we need a department of interior secretary who is ready to address 21st-century challenges with bold solutions … to protect our national parks and public lands for the benefit of all Americans,” she said.

Meanwhile, Biden plans to nominate Regan, North Carolina’s top environmental regulator, to head the EPA, according to Reuters.

If confirmed by the US Senate, Regan would become the second Black person to run the EPA, after Lisa Jackson, who served during Barack Obama’s presidency. He would be a leading member of the new, expanded Biden team focusing on reversing Trump’s environmental rollbacks and address the climate crisis with a plan for bringing the US economy to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Regan brings years of experience dealing with fossil fuel industries in his home state, including overseeing a roughly $9bn settlement agreement with utility Duke Energy for the nation’s largest clean-up of coal ash. Regan has also previously worked at the EPA and worked on climate change and pollution initiatives for the Environmental Defense Fund, a green advocacy group.

“Regan understands that tough environmental goals tempered with economic and technological reality produce the best approach on everything from climate change to more local problems,” said Scott Segal, an attorney for the law firm Bracewell, which has petroleum companies as clients.

Jim Marston, the former head of the Environmental Defense Fund state initiatives program, said: “He could talk with, work with industry. And his own personal history allows him to really relate … to working-class folks who are the workers in plants that need to be regulated,” Marston said.

Democrats have a very narrow majority in the House, so losing Haaland to the cabinet is a risk, making three Democratic members of the House that will be leaving the chamber to join the new administration.

Marcia Fudgewill be nominated to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Cedric Richmondwill serve as the director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/17/deb-haaland-joe-biden-interior-secretary

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