news2007 Archivi - OIPA

ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF KILLING AND SKINNING SEALS – AN UPDATE

oipainternational — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:18:06 +0000

At the request of the European Commission EFSA is assessing, from an animal welfare perspective, the scientific evidence about the different methods of killing and skinning seals. EFSA is looking objectively at whether any of these methods could be considered as humane; and which methods are likely to cause the least pain, distress or suffering. A working group of EFSA’s Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) Panel is preparing a report and draft opinion drawing on the available scientific data and information.

EFSA met with stakeholders on 4th October to discuss work in progress on this issue. Around 40 organisations from 11 countries attended from a broad cross-section of animal welfare groups, hunter associations, scientific institutions, industry bodies and national authorities, including Inuit representatives. The stakeholders reviewed and commented on the draft report, provided additional information and received clarification from the working group on details of the report.

EFSA aims to have the final report and a draft scientific opinion ready for consideration by the AHAW Panel at its December 2007 meeting. Comments and suggestions made by stakeholders will be taken into account in preparing the report and draft opinion.

Animal health and welfare is an essential part of EFSA’s overall mandate, which is wider than just food safety issues. This request from the Commission enables EFSA to contribute its scientific expertise on an important issue where an objective, independent evidence-based approach can play a valuable role in the decision making process. Stakeholders were reminded at the meeting that EFSA does not have a mandate to consider economical, social, cultural or other related issues, nor is EFSA the institution that decides on whether practices such as killing and skinning seals should be permitted or not.

Paola Ghidotti
OIPA International Campaigns Director

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EFSA TO LOOK INTO SEAL HUNTING PRACTICES

oipainternational — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:15:29 +0000

Following a request by the European Commission, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) is to prepare a scientific opinion on the methods for killing and skinning seals currently used in and outside the European Union. The aim is to measure, as far as is scientifically possible, the degree of pain, distress and suffering that may be caused by each method, and to identify the most humane practices.

The request for an EFSA opinion comes in response to growing public concerns over the welfare of seals, which are hunted using methods that may not guarantee their instantaneous death. These include the stunning of animals with instruments such as hakapiks, bludgeons and guns. Concerns have also been expressed about the possible adverse effects that commercial hunting may be having on the conservation of harp and hood seals.

In September 2006 the European Parliament passed a written declaration calling for a ban on the import of seal products. The declaration received a record number of signatures in support, but a ban will not be put in place until a full assessment by the Commission on the humane aspects of the hunt has been completed.

EFSA’s scientific opinion will form part of this assessment. It will, inter alia, take into account all available studies, including those conducted by animal welfare groups, government and private bodies from in and outside of the EU. EFSA will also work closely with the animal health and welfare panel of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food safety, which will provide data and input to EFSA.

While recognising the many societal and ethical issues that seal hunting raises, EFSA says that, in line with its legal mandate, the opinion will focus on the scientific aspects only. It will attempt to measure the level of suffering caused by current hunting practices with a view to identifying those methods which are the most humane.

A public consultation on the draft opinion, including a meeting with stakeholders, is planned for September, while the final opinion is expected to be ready by the end of the year.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/

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PETITION AGAINST CAT DOG MEAT TRADE

oipainternational — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:23:59 +0000

In 2004, the Korean government proposed legislation for the “hygienic control of dog meat,” arguing that the government regulation of slaughter was the only way to insure that the process would be done humanely and under sanitary conditions. While the proponents of this proposal argue that they are acting in the interests of animal welfare and public health, it was clear that the true motive for the proposal was to provide a backdoor to the legalization of dog meat.
IAKA sprung to action, calling on supporters to send a clear message to the Korean government to stop their attempts to legalize dog meat.
After many years of campaigning and petitioning, IAKA is happy to report that Korea’s Animal Protection Law has recently been amended to include tougher penalties for animal cruelty as well as stronger legislation to address stray and abandoned animals.
Additional changes include provisions to allow for better law enforcement by giving power to local governments who can appoint “Animal Protection Officers” to investigate cruelty and seize animals which are being abused. The amended law was passed in January of 2007 and will allow a one-year grace period, going into effect at the beginning of 2008.
We are happy to announce that the newly revised animal protection law has been passed and that we have succeeded in defeating the proposal for hygienic control.

For more info about Korean animals and IAKA-KAPS, please visit:

http://www.koreananimals.or.kr/english/

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PETITION AGAINST CAT DOG MEAT TRADE

oipainternational — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 12:18:26 +0000

OIPA has learned that two million South Korean dogs are electrocuted, strangled, or bludgeoned to death each year. Then they’re boiled, skinned, browned by a torch, chopped up and eaten.
Recently OIPA closed the online petition directed to Korean authorities urging them to stop the government’s unfortunate and ill-judged attempts to legalize the dog meat trade.
During the past months over 30.000 signatures have been collected, people from all over the world have shown their support for these animals.
The signatures will be sent to “International Aid for Korean Animals” – founded by Kyenan Kum in 1997 for the purpose of establishing a non-profit organization, who works for the promotion of animal protection and humane education throughout Korea.
Korea Animal Protection Law was adopted 7 May 1991. Since then, the Korean government has attempted to revise the law on several occasions to open the door to a legal dog meat trade, but have so far been unsuccessful. IAKA and KAPS are constantly battling to strengthen this law and see stronger and clearer penalties for those who commit crimes towards animals.
Currently, the Korea Animal Protection Law is rarely, if ever, enforced.
The consumption of dog meat has a long tradition in Korea. Dog bones were excavated in a neolithic settlement in Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang Province.
Dog meat is generally considered a medicinal dish (either to improve male virility or to combat the heat in summer).Thirty percent are stolen from families that love them. Most are homeless dogs, captured by butchers and sold in open markets.
The tragic reality is that authorities are giving the dog meat trade their silent blessing by turning a blind eye to this outrageous bloodbath even though Korean law forbids the sale and consumption of dog meat.
In spite of a 1991 law which prohibits consumption of dogs and cats, a flourishing industry exists within the markets of Korea. Illegal and unsanitary dog farms are hidden in the countryside where breeders raise their stock for butchers.
All this cruelty has to be stopped.

Paola Ghidotti
OIPA International Campaigns Director

L'articolo PETITION AGAINST CAT DOG MEAT TRADE proviene da OIPA.