https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2014/09/03/serbia-free-nani-deer-info-and-sample-letter-to-send/
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, SERBIA (Central Serbia: Capital - Belgrade) and (Serbia, SUPPORTERS | Leave a comment »
The Annual Slaughter Begins in Taiji, but the Japanese Are Shunning Dolphin Meat
The marine mammals are severely contaminated with toxic mercury harmful to humans.
September 02, 2014 By David Kirby
David Kirby has been a professional journalist for 25 years. His third book, Death at Seaworld, was published in 2012.
The annual dolphin hunt at the cove in Taiji, Japan, began on Monday. For the next six months, hundreds of dolphins will be rounded up and killed, their meat sold in stores and restaurants in Japan and other countries. But butchered dolphins are becoming scarcer on the Japanese market, which is good not only for the dolphins but for public health.
Why? Taiji dolphin products are riddled with mercury.
Seven published studies have found dangerously high concentrations of mercury, a neurotoxin that damages human brain development and the nervous system, in all nine dolphin species. The main source of marine mercury pollution: coal-burning power plants and other heavy industries.
The Environmental Investigative Agency, a London-based nonprofit, purchased nine dolphin products and found that eight of them exceeded Japanese health standards, with average mercury concentrations more than 10 times the limit. One dolphin liver contained mercury concentrations nearly 5,000 times greater than the Japanese government’s limit for daily exposures.
“The consumption of cetacean products contaminated with high levels of persistent organic pollutants and mercury poses a grave health risk to humans,” warned the 2013 EIA report,Toxic Catch. “Ingestion of these toxins have been linked to a range of immunological, cardiovascular and reproductive effects.”
Hair samples taken from residents of Taiji showed that, on average, mercury concentrations among whale eaters were nearly 10 times higher than among non–whale eaters.
Opponents to the hunt are driving that message into Japanese homes.
“When [we] do interviews in Japan we try to use the word ‘mercury’ in every sentence,” said Louie Psihoyos, director of The Cove, the 2009 Oscar-winning documentary about the Taiji hunt. “That strategy of staying on point about mercury has been working.”
Whether or not it’s due to mercury, one thing is sure: Consumption of dolphin meat is on the decline as the supply out of Taiji dwindles.
Ric O’Barry, the star of The Cove and the director of Earth Island Institute’s Dolphin Project, said that when his group began their campaign against the Taiji slaughter in 2003, about 2,300 dolphins were killed annually. In 2012, that number fell to about 900. Fewer dead dolphins means less mercury contamination among the public.
“My personal feeling is that consumption is slowly reducing, particularly of dolphin and toothed-whale products,” said Clare Perry, a senior campaigner with EIA. “Young people, and in fact many older people, recognize dolphins as wild animals that should be left alone in the oceans. This is my experience from talking to many people over many years in Japan.”
A main factor behind the decline is believed to be growing awareness of high mercury levels in dolphin meat.
Mercury “has been the dolphin hunter’s Achilles’ heel,” said Psihoyos. “All dolphin meat, every bit of it, is poison.”
The neurotoxin is also harmful to the dolphins.
Mercury and other toxins “have been linked to increased rates of cancer, increased first calf mortality, immune suppression and a higher susceptibility to infectious disease, [and] are postulated to be a primary factor causing population declines,” according to Toxic Catch.
Mercury is not the only worry. Following the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, “it is possible that cetaceans are bio accumulating very high levels of radioactive elements, presenting a severe risk to consumers, as well as a novel threat to cetaceans,” the report said.
With rising awareness of mercury and fewer animals killed, dolphin products in Japan are more difficult to find.
“It’s now much harder to get dolphin meat if you don’t live in the dolphin-hunting area,” said Perry. “We have stopped most of the major supermarkets, plus Amazon, Google, and more recently Rakuten, Japan’s largest Internet retailer, selling whale and dolphin products in Japan.”
As the annual killing begins at Taiji, O’Barry will be there along with Izumi Ishii, a former dolphin hunter who now opposes the hunt.
They plan to visit the town council office to try to persuade local officials that dolphin-watching cruises and other eco-tourism opportunities would be more profitable than the dolphin slaughter.
O’Barry’s team buys and tests dolphin meat so consumers can “make an informed decision as to whether or not they want to buy the tainted product,” he said.
He believes that education about mercury will further reduce demand—and stop the killing.
“There’s no better way to educate the Japanese consumer than to make The Cove available on the Internet in Japan for free,” he said. “There are 27 million people in Japan who have never seen it. They don’t have the information that we take for granted.”
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Past SAV Posts on this issue:
https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2009/01/23/the-cove-movie-dolphin-slaughter-and-more-in-japan/
https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2010/11/08/japan-latest-dolphin-news-from-ric-obarry/
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Posted on: http://love-is-an-animal.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/serbia-fawn-nani-needs-your-urgent-help.html
Please help the orphan baby dear Nani, who was saved by Mrs.Dragana Mitic. This little fawn was living in a wonderful environment, surrounded with Mrs. Mitic love and care, until was taken away by the police and handed to the hunting association ”Hajduk Veljko”.
Now Mrs. Mitic is waiting for a final decision from the Minister of Agriculture if she can keep rescued fawn on her little farm. As tamed wild animals, other options for Nani are: life in a hunting ground or in a zoo.
Join EPAR – OIPA Serbia, Serbian Animal Voice and Mrs. Dragana Mitic appeal!
PETITION: SAVE NANI, THE FAWN AND RETURN HER TO HER FAMILY
PLEASE FLOOD SERBIAN AUTHORITIES WITH YOUR EMAILS!
SAMPLE LETTER – send to:
To: kabinet.info@minpolj.gov.rs, predsednikvlade@gov.rs,
perica.grbic@minpolj.gov.rs, dejan.bugarski@minpolj.gov.rs,
radivoje.kaurin@minpolj.gov.rs,
dragana.bogdanovic@minpolj.gov.rs,
srbislav.filipovic@minpolj.gov.rs,
Cc: zivotinje.rs@gmail.com,serbiananimalwelfare@gmail.com, helpanimals@sbb.rs, epar@open.telekom.rs,drustvo.feniks@yahoo.com, humans.for.animals@gmail.com, organisation.mia@gmail.com,redakcija@alo.rs, online@alo.rs, redakcija@blic.rs, desk@danas.rs, redakcija@kurir-info.rs,redakcija@politika.rs, redakcija@novosti.rs, beogradski_program@rts.rs, rtstv@rts.rs,kontaktcentar@rts.rs, info@studiob.rs, info@happytv.rs, info@prva.rs,infourednici@b92.net, kontakt@b92.net, draganamitic64@gmail.com,info@eurogroupforanimals.org, m.griffiths@eurogroupforanimals.org, info@oipa.org,info@ifaw.org, office@four-paws.org.uk, esdaw@telia.com, Karen@animal-kind.org
Subject: INTERNATIONAL APPEAL TO SERBIAN AUTHORITIES: RETURN THE DEER NANI TO MRS. DRAGANA MITIC
Dear Sir, Madam
We have been informed about the case of the baby deer NANI by Serbian media, Serbian Animals Voice and EPAR – OIPA SRBIJA.
Since Nani’s mother was killed, a kind-hearted citizen Mrs. Dragana Mitic saved this baby deer and cared for it at her home. But the police of Cicevac village, on 1 August 2014, was confiscated the baby deer and handed to the hunting association ”Hajduk Veljko”, where it is being held in extremely inappropriate conditions at the pheasant farm.
Mrs. Mitic visited the baby deer and states it is being terrified and treated in a highly unsuitable manner. The treatment of this tiny creature violates Serbian animal welfare law, which include the humane handling of the animals.
This is international appeal to Serbian authorities to be humane and act in accordance with the Serbian Animal Welfare Act. As rescued and tamed wild animals, THE BABY DEAR CANNOT BE RETURNED TO THE HUNTING GROUND OR SEND IN A ZOO.
THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO IMMEDIATELY RETURN THE FAWN TO MRS. DRAGANA MITIC, so she can protect and give shelter to this venerable baby who lost his mother.
Info:
http://www.rts.rs/page/stories/sr/story/57/Srbija+danas/1682057/Ko+je+u+pravu%3F.html
Kind regards
YOUR NAME AND COUNTRY
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, LETTERS, SERBIA (Central Serbia: Capital - Belgrade) and (Serbia | Leave a comment »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dODzURN9qkg&feature=share
We need the 8 hour maximum journey time in the EU to stop this. Please take action now as detailed below:
Read On for Instructions.
Above – The ‘standard’ of some Dutch animal export trailers being used in 2014 to carry British sheep to Mainland Europe. Photographed at Dover harbour, Kent, England.
Allegedly covered by and compliant with EU standards – Regulation 1/2005.
Dear all;
I would encourage any resident of the EU who is concerned about long distance farm animal transport to send a copy of the following pdf directly to Commissioner Borg as per the instructions below.
I am now working independently through my own site, SAV, regarding amongst other things, EU live farm animal legislation changes to work in support of a one off 8 hour maximum journey time.
By doing this, I have pulled out from all direct UK live export campaigning.
Legislation to greatly reduce journey times and / or amend Regulation 1/2005 (the current EU rules on live farm animal transport hours) can ONLY be changed directly by the EU Commission; and certainly NOT by the UK government or any other independent EU member state government alone.
So, I personally feel that there is only one option; get aim directly at the EU Commission and get the hours reduced THROUGHOUT the EU for ALL EU farm animals in transport.
We need to take the campaign directly to Brussels and the people (ie. Commissioner Borg) who can amend EU wide legislation to reduce all journey times down to a one off maximum of eight (8) hours; and thus get the best deal possible for animals undergoing international transportation. Any subsequent changes to Regulation 1/2005 will then affect ALL animals in transport within the whole of the EU, not just those going through Ramsgate and Dover in the UK – such as calves from Ireland to Cherbourg, France, and pigs from the Netherlands down to Spain, as just a couple of dozens of examples.
I hope the attached pdf link below currently explains the existing situation for the 8 hours campaign, and particularly, why we need more than ever now to push the EU Commission to act rather than our own rather limp UK government.
Attached above is a sample letter link (supplied as a pdf) which can be sent directly to the EU Commissioner (Borg) who holds the keys to amending the current legislation – Regulation 1/2005.
Click on the Commissioners spokesperson e mail address to get a new e mail widow.
This is: frederic.vincent@ec.europa.eu
Then also to this same e mail attach a copy of the SAV headed letter (link below) which is supplied as a pdf document. Simply attach the link to the letter.:
Finally, as part of the same e mail, give your own:
Then finally click again to send – that’s all that is required – a matter of seconds to complete it all.
Remember – the shipment of 6 sheep transporters from Ramsgate to (Calais) France on 29/8/14 took around 8.5 hours to complete its Channel crossing. This crossing IS under EU law counted as part of the overall journey time.
Thus, if we had a maximum one off journey time of 8 hours; the crossing of 29/8 would have gone over the maximum time allowed as a one off consignment. Add to this the time taken to initially get to Ramsgate by the transporters, and their continuation once arrived in Calais; and, under any 8 hours regulations, the trucks would never have reached Ramsgate in the first place; let alone cross the Channel ! – The shipment would never have taken place.
Thanks and regards; please send your letter link to Commissioner Borg right now !
Mark
SAV Founder.
Photo – Val Cameron.
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, DOCUMENTS, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, LETTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS - **WARNING** (Animal Suffering) | Leave a comment »
Firstly; Nani the deer is still alive, the most important thing.
Slavica and others in Serbia are still fighting very hard on this case with the Republic Veterinary Inspector; who visited Nani in her current holding at the facility of the Serbuina hunters on 26/8.
Now everyone is waiting for a final decision from the Minister of Agriculture to decide if (in agreement with Article 58 of Serbian laws for animal welfare) Nani will be able to return to her original home and to Mrs Dragana Mitic; who is considered to now be the mother of Nani.
Dragana visits Nani every day, and keeps a photographic record of her condition every day. You can see some of the recent photographs in this post.
A very careful eye is now being kept on the hunters of Hunting Society `Hajduk Veljko` to monitor everything that they are doing. After all, they have taken Nani and put her into this current situation. She deserves to be back with Mrs Dragana Mitic and so this is now the aim, as it always has been; to return her to the lady who protects her and who Nani now regards as her mother.
As soon as we have a decision from the Minister of Agriculture we will inform you of the next development.
Our recent posts on this case:
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Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, PHOTOGRAPHS - **WARNING** (Animal Suffering), SERBIA (Central Serbia: Capital - Belgrade) and (Serbia, The "Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) ALLIANCE | Leave a comment »
As you will see in a few of our posts (3 links below) which go back to 2011; we have been involved with supporting the call for an EU wide change in legislation to just 8 hours for all animals in long distance transport.:
At the moment, transport legislation for animals is covered by Regulation 1/2005 of 22nd December 2004. This regulation currently allows different species of farm animals to be transported for different amounts of time, well exceeding 8 hours !
A copy of the existing EU Regulation (1/2005) on the so-called ‘protection of animals during transport’; which includes the current existing journey times for different animal species can be viewed at:
– to view in English, simply go to the ‘EN’ language header; or alternatively select your (EU) language from all others provided.
The following is a summary of the current EU 8 hours campaign from our friends ‘Animals Angels’ in Germany. There are many EU welfare organisations who are working hard to get legislation passed to reduce the journey time for animals to a one off maximum of 8 hours.
Now that (August 2014) sees the new EU Parliament commencing business with new MEP’s elected earlier this year; we are going to start campaigning once again for the 8 hours max. through the European Parliament, but especially directly to the EU Commission responsible. It is the European Parliament which, in addition to the Council, has the right to call on the EU Commission to propose new legislation, which in this case would involve drastically reducing the journey times for animals in transport to slaughter and further fattening.
In the near future we will be producing a sample letter which all EU citizens can send to their own regional / national members of the European Parliament or alternatively directly to the EU Commission; asking them to amend the journey times currently detailed in Regulation 1/2005 very, very soon.
The final statement below from AA gives us heart that we are gradually making progress on this very important issue for all farm animals in transport across the EU.
Please read on to find out more in this summary of events from Animals Angels;
Regards Mark – SAV.
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Provisions regulating the transport of ‘slaughter’ animals have existed in the EU since 1977. The EU’s currently valid version is the “Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations (…)” This regulation deals with the transport of live vertebrates within the EU and provides the respective statutory guidelines.
An amendment of the transport regulation as desired by 8hours can only be made if proposed by the European Commission since it has the sole right to initiate law-making actions within the EU. The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) stipulates that the EU Commission and the commissioners must do their jobs fully independently and for the general good of the communities. Therefore, 8hours cannot directly influence the Commission’s decision to introduce or modify a law. For this reason 8hours decided to go through the European Parliament which, in addition to the Council, has the right to call on the EU Commission to propose new legislation.
The European Parliament
EU Members of Parliament Esther de Lange, Pavel Poc, Carl Schlyter, Andrea Zanoni and Dan Jørgensen drafted Written Declaration 49/2011 for this purpose and introduced it in the EU Parliament in November 2011.
The results of the petition signature drive started by 8hours at the beginning of 2011 were included in the text of the declaration: More than 1 million signatures had been collected by the time voting took place on March 15, 2012. This result contributed considerably to the success of the Written Declaration. A total of 395 Members of Parliament voted in favour of the document and demanded a maximum transport time of eight hours.
Thus 8hours achieved one goal in the EU Parliament: The EU Commission has now been called upon to act accordingly. If it does not submit a legislative proposal it must notify Parliament of the reasons.
The EU-Commission
On June 7, 2012 representative of Animals’ Angels, 8hours and numerous European animal welfare organizations traveled to Brussels to reinforce the arguments of 8hours and Parliament’s request at a meeting with EU Commissioner John Dalli.
The signatures were officially presented to John Dalli’s cabinet. Finally the Commissioner stated on camera that “by 2014 the Commission will publish a legislative proposal.” A few days later, however, a representative for John Dalli retracted this statement without comment.
The revocation of the promise by John Dalli came as a complete surprise to everyone involved. Neither 8hours nor the EU parliamentarians behind the Written Declaration could move John Dalli to make a statement.
In response to these events 8hours offered the opportunity on its official website to write a pre-formulated letter of complaint to the Commissioner. The EU Commissioner received more than 30,000 complaints in the following days.
However, the indignation about simply ignoring the will of more than one million EU citizens remains unanswered.
The Petitions Committee
In June 2012 Animals’ Angels submitted the boxes of signatures to the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament in Brussels.
On 16 September 2013 Animals’ Angels was invited to Brussels to speak to MEPs and members of the Petitions Committee about the 8hours demands. Animals’ Angels took this opportunity to ask why the EU Commission had so far done nothing to respond adequately to the will of EU citizens and the EU parliament. Animals’ Angels requested the Petitions Committee to examine the case and obtain a formal reply from the Commission regarding the 8hours petition. The mere fact that the Petitions Committee had been convened makes it absolutely clear that it is prepared to support our petition and seek answers to our questions.
In March 2014 Animals’ Angels received word from the Petitions Committee that at its behest not only the European Commission had been told to consider our petition, but also the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Parliament.
The Petitions Committee takes our petition very seriously and has promised to keep us informed of future developments.
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional | Leave a comment »
Dear Mark;
As Stop Live Exports Campaign Manager and representative for another animal advocacy group, I will be addressing the crowd at March Australia‘s March in August event this Saturday 30 August at Russell Square, Northbridge.
Speakers at the past events have condemned this government for its treatment of workers, students, the aged, the sick, the poor, the misplaced,the disadvantaged.
I will be speaking out for some other Australians those who have no voice AND no vote – the animals; they get a raw deal no matter which major party is in power, but this government’s attitude towards and support for the live export industry at any cost, is unconscionable.
We hope to have a HUGE Stop Live Exports contingent there, with t shirts, placards and banners. We have also been invited to have a stall there at which to sell merchandise and offer memberships.
Please arrive by 1 PM for first two speakers and march, followed by two more speakers (including myself) – we would love to hear some loud voices in large numbers for the animals!
Facebook event page is here with all details, or just turn up to Russell Square, Aberdeen, James, Shenton and Parker streets by 1 PM this Saturday 30 August. Parking will be a nightmare, so strongly suggest you use public transport or get dropped off.
For a full list of all march locations in WA (Geraldton, Denmark and Broome) in and across Australia, see the March Australia website.
Hope to see you there!
Katrina Love
Campaign Manager/Coordinator
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Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) 