stop the pain and suffering of working animals in mali - hsi

Volume 15 • Issue 2 • July 2009

1

Humane Society International Inc. ABN 63 510 927 032

PO Box 439 Avalon NSW 2107 AustraliaTelephone (02) 9973 1728 • Facsimile (02) 9973 1729 • Email [email protected] Volume 18 • Issue 2 • July 2012

StoppIng tHe paIn and SufferIng of working animals in mali

Many thanks as ever to all of you for responding so generously to our recent appeal for the working animals of Mali. It has been an extremely heart-warming exercise.

as our appeal to you said, this is not the first time we have had to ask you to help us look after the forgotten animal victims of disaster or war and unfortunately it probably won’t be the last. and now it’s the turn of the working animals in mali to receive our much needed help. Because mali is one of the poorest countries in the world the hard working donkeys and horses were already doing it tough – not because of cruelty or neglect – but because their owners are already struggling just to survive – and the military coup has made things much worse for the animals.

our long term partner in the region, SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) has been working in mali for over 20 years now and has an established headquarters in the Capital, and a mobile clinic that travels to rural and isolated communities, providing expert and compassionate care for working animals. in 2011, the SPANA team treated 25,333 cases in mali. with your help, we hope to greatly increase the number of stricken animals that are able to receive veterinary help.

The new vet that your support provides will also play a critical role in the long-term education of animal owners, local vets and children. The addition of another vet will mean the focus on education and training can increase without having a detrimental effect on the clinical work, and they will also be responsible for organising a two year training course for up to 50 local vets. such focussed education programs will have very meaningful and long-term welfare benefits for all mali’s working animals.

Your generosity and compassion will allow the vet to be employed for a two year period. many, many thanks again to all Hsi supporters.

Below is a snapshot of the achievements of SPANA and you will see why we have partnered with them for this vital work:

• Each year, SPANA’s 21 mobile clinics and two education buses travel approximately 447,000 miles – that’s the same as going to the moon and back.

• Last year, their veterinary centres and mobile clinics treated over 380,000 working animals. That’s more than 1,000 every day.

• More than 25,000 school pupils visited SPANA’s education centres to learn how to care for animals every year.

• Since 2005, SPANA has helped more than one million working animals stay healthy and happy.

• When stacked up, the bottles of painkillers used for veterinary services in 2007 would be 200 metres high, that’s twice the height of Big Ben.

• SPANA distributes over 270,000 kilograms of food concentrate and more than 17,000 bales of hay and straw each year (not counting their emergency work!).

• So far they have trained over 300 farriers in more humane methods of shoeing and trimming, preventing painful hoof deformities.

• SPANA use 8,800 metres of stitching material every single year. That’s over a million stitches – each one helping to heal the wound of an injured working animal.

NEWSLETTER

Photos – SPANA

2

welcome to Hsi supporters new and old to this next edition of the Hsi newsletter. as ever we have good news and not so good news to bring, and a call upon your help for action. at the moment we feel a little under siege from numerous proposed and potentially disastrous government environmental and animal welfare policies. in the face of these challenges we are urgently seeking your help to get off as many letters as you can in the coming few weeks.

The real strength of Hsi is in its membership, and the letters that you write have an enormous impact – they can help change ministers’ minds! in this newsletter you will find many calls to action, and we know that we can rely on you to respond accordingly. when they reply to you, as they are required to do, please do send copies to us. They often tell you things they will not tell us! good luck and thank you in advance for your efforts. Contact details for government ministers can be found on page 9.

You will also find enclosed in this newsletter two postcards, dealing with the topic of free-range hens, which we would encourage you to fill in and send back to us for presentation to government. The article on page 10 will update you on the campaign to stop industry determining that 20,000 layer hens per hectare should be deemed free-range!! Please pass the extra card to friend and if you would like bulk copies to distribute, call our free-call number on 1800 333 737 or e-mail [email protected]

But now for some good news. Your response to our most recent appeal to help improve the lives of working animals in strife-torn mali in north-west africa has been amazing. Your generosity will allow our partners at sPana employ a further vet for two years, vastly increasing the number of animals that are able to be treated. so once again our many, many thanks to you all.

further good news this time around is the recent dedication by the federal government of a vast marine sanctuaries network around australia. as federal Environment minister Tony Burke noted in

his announcement the new protected area system, “Together the great Barrier reef marine Park and the Coral sea Commonwealth marine reserve will become the largest marine protected area in the world, covering 1.3 million square kilometres…….. The proposed national marine reserve network will protect more than a third of australia’s oceans.”

Hsi was an active member of a number of national conservation coalitions that helped achieve this success, helped yet again by your constant letter writing to government’. well done to everybody!

while on the marine front, Hsi also had a great win recently, with the protection of two hammerhead sharks under threatened species law in new south wales. The great and scalloped hammerhead sharks are both in danger of extinction, and this new recognition requires government to help ensure their recovery. Thank you again for helping us achieve this great outcome.

good luck with your letter writing. inside you’ll see action boxes on the dog and cat fur trade in australia, sharks and manta rays, dingoes, crocodiles, environmental law, habitat protection in Tasmania, shooting in national parks, antarctica, free-range farming and rhinos - which should keep you busy for a while……..keeping wayward governments’ on their toes, and allowing Hsi to take more effective action.

Thanks to everybody for everything……

Best wishes

michael and Verna

HSI wants to share with everyone some of the inspirational fundraising being done on behalf of the animals by some of our members. In March, a team of 11 cyclists biked 330 kms from Canberra to Sydney to raise funds in support of our Project Partner FNPF. The Riding for Rangas team raised over $5,000 to protect orang-utans.

And our new hero is 8 year old Lianna Stephens who was so touched by the life and passing of Champa, she not only donated her own Christmas and birthday money, she also set up a fundraising stand and brought in over $400.00! The elephants at Agra are blessed to have such a good friend in Lianna.

mEssagE from THE dIreCtorS

mEmBErs fundraISIng

3


Through your bequest for animal protection to Humane Society International, you can provide for animals after you’ve gone. Naming HSI in your Will demonstrates your lasting commitment to animal protection and strengthens the Society for this task. We will be happy to send information about our animal protection programs and material that will assist you in planning a Will.

How Can I Help anImalS even wHen I no longer SHare tHeIr world?

4 Yes, please send more information on leaving a bequest to Hsi.

name

address

City state Postcode

PLEASE POST TO HSI, PO BOX 439, AVALON NSW 2107 OR PHONE FREECALL 1800 333 737

EnDing CoSmetICS anImal teStIng

Please e-mail Edna molewa, the minister of water and Environmental affairs in south africa, urging her not to put forward proposals to legalise global trade in rhino horn. Tell her that international trade cannot be effectively controlled, and the result would be an increase in demand for the horn and the further depletion of the population [email protected]

write to Tony Burke, federal minister for the Environment, urging him to financially contribute to south africa’s anti-poaching activities, and ensure that australia never supports any calls to legalise international rhino horn trade. [email protected] or by fax to 02 6273 6101

send your replies to us.

aCtIon reQuIred

afrICan rHInoS reaCH CrISIS poInt as PoaCHing lEVEls soar

south africa is home to 80% of africa’s rhino’s so it is the epicentre of illegal poaching. recently, a drastic surge in the poaching of african rhino’s has meant that this iconic species is under real threat of reaching extinction. last year 448 rhinos were lost to poaching, but this year already more than 200 animals have been killed. Poachers normally shoot the rhino and then hack off its horn. some may survive the initial attack, but often die later from their horrific injuries.

This recent upsurge in poaching has been driven by an increased demand for their horns in asia, particularly Vietnam and China. There, they grind the horn into powder and use it in traditional medicine to treat fevers, hangovers, and even cancer, or is simply

seen as a good future investment to be stock-piled.

The horn is seen as a prestigious and luxury item used as a symbol of status to the extent that its value has escalated beyond that of gold and cocaine. However, rhino horn has no curative properties and studies have shown it has no medicinal benefits. after all, the horns are made up of keratin, the same material as human fingernails. Today, the population of african rhino’s in the wild stands at an estimated 25,000, but if poaching continues at current rates then they may become extinct by 2025.

in the scramble to stop the devastating poaching, there is a danger that governments may decide to allow a legal international trade in rhino horn, which would be disastrous for the species.

in april this year, Humane society international launched the largest ever global ‘Be Cruelty-free’ campaign to end cosmetics testing on animals and joined forces with Choose Cruelty-free and Humane research australia. in australia, whilst little or no cosmetics animal testing is currently licensed, there is no legal ban preventing animal testing in the future, and products tested overseas are still sold in shops throughout the country. Hsi continues to support the wonderful work of both Choose Cruelty-free and Humane research australia, and encourage you help us create a cruelty-free world by signing the global Be Cruelty-free Pledge on our website at www.hsi.org.au under ‘animal Protection’.

Greenpeace

Rhino Kenya by Chris Searle

4

TimE To proteCt dIngoeS

HammErHEaD sHarks proteCted In nSw

landmark deCISIon in marinE sanCTuariEs CamPaign

Ian

Hut

ton

In March 2010, HSI nominated the dingo as a threatened species under federal environmental laws. we did this due to widespread concerns that the dingo is under threat on a number of fronts, including from hybridisation with wild dogs, compounded by the confusing array of state laws which variously classify the dingo as anything from a pest to a native species. Hsi believes this maze of conflicting laws is detrimental to the dingo, which may lead to their disappearance from australia’s environment.

many might wonder why the disappearance of the dingo matters – after all, they were introduced to australia. recent research on this is clear. Dingoes have now been a part of australia’s environment so long that they can be considered to be native. scientists have discovered that many populations of our native mammals, such as the dusky hopping mouse, are positively associated with dingoes. They are therefore an essential part of a healthy functioning ecosystem.

Hsi believes that unless we protect dingoes now by listing them under federal environment laws, our wider ecosystem and the species that rely on them will suffer. Please write to the federal Environment minister and let him know that the dingo deserves to be included on the assessment priority list currently before the minister.

Thanks to HSI’s work, we are excited to report two new threatened species listings in NSW. These are the scalloped hammerhead shark as endangered, and the great hammerhead shark as vulnerable under the NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994.

This is an important development, as it means that the sale and possession of these hammerhead sharks is now illegal in nsw. This protection is vital, as data from nsw, Queensland and international waters suggests that hammerhead sharks have declined by between 75% and more than 90% in less than two generations, representing a very high risk of extinction in the near future.

great and scalloped hammerhead sharks are caught in the nsw ocean Trap and line fishery, targeted by recreational fishers as well as being caught in the shark nets off nsw beaches. Hsi has consistently called for the removal of bather protection nets off nsw beaches due to the impacts they have on protected species such as the grey nurse shark and hammerhead shark.

Hsi will continue to call on the federal and state and Territory governments to provide better protection for all sharks, including the hammerheads. This increased protection in nsw for just two species is a crucial first step.

In previous newsletters we have asked for your help on getting marine sanctuaries to help our threatened marine species. We are excited to report that a network of marine reserves, including highly protected sanctuary areas has now been announced by the Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke MP.

This success comes off the back of many years of campaigning by HSI and many other groups. HSI would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your efforts in helping us to get the best possible network.

Whilst the network of marine parks could be better to protect the critical habitats of our threatened marine species, it is a good first step and we will continue to work to ensure more is done to protect our marine environment.

write to the Environment minister, the Hon Tony Burke mP by email to [email protected] or by fax to 02 6273 6101

Tell the minister that the dingo deserves protection and ask him to consider the dingo for listing under federal Environmental legislation and to develop a national conservation plan.

send your replies to us

aCtIon reQuIred

Alexia Wellbelove

© istockphoto.com / qldian

5


TimE for ausTralia To taCkle trade In endangered marIne SpeCIeS

ConsulTaTion BEgins on CroCoDilE safari HunTs

In March 2013, a meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) will be held to discuss trade in endangered species, and HSI hopes that the fate of endangered marine species will be at the top of many countries lists for increased protection.

in order to ensure this, we have written to the federal Environment minister requesting that australia give consideration to getting better protection for a number of sharks and related species. sharks are threatened by international trade due to the insatiable demand for shark fins. This is driving an unsustainable level of take.

Hsi is therefore asking for the australian government to put forward proposals to ensure sharks are protected from the threats posed by this trade. species such as the freshwater sawfish, whilst already being protected, requires further protection and a ban on international trade to ensure its recovery. other species such as the porbeagle shark, the oceanic whitetip shark and the manta ray would all benefit from better regulated trade.

in addition to tabling proposals, Hsi is also calling on the australian government to be supportive of all proposals for sharks and their relatives that may be put forward for consideration by other countries. we are hopeful that we will have some good news to share with you after the meeting.

In our last newsletter, we reported that the Northern Territory Government was once again seeking approval for the introduction of a crocodile safari hunting program. The nT government is seeking approval for the killing of 50 saltwater crocodiles, not as a means of controlling nuisance crocodiles, but a means by which to attract money from tourists wishing to obtain trophies from their hunting expeditions. in the Chief minister’s own words – come to the Territory and bag a croc!

Hsi is appalled that the federal Environment minister has included this proposal in the new draft Crocodile management Plan after it has been rejected numerous times previously. we consider the argument that more money can be made from safari hunting to be a misleading one. it is clear that if funding was put into ecotourism ventures those same crocodiles would be worth far more year after year to indigenous communities.

Hsi is therefore once again opposing the introduction of safari hunting, and is urging the federal Environment minister to reject the proposal and the nT government to instead focus on promoting eco-tourism areas.


ask the minister to put proposals forward to CiTEs to ensure a ban on the international trade of freshwater sawfish, bringing the protection level applied to this species in line with other sawfish species. also ask him to propose the shark species for listing under CiTEs already suggested to him by Hsi, including the porbeagle, oceanic whitetip and mako sharks, and the manta ray.


ask the minister to reject the northern Territory’s proposal to introduce safari hunting of crocodiles. Crocodiles deserve to be protected from the significant animal welfare impacts that would result from the introduction of safari hunting. Promoting more international wildlife trade is also a highly irresponsible conservation policy. The introduction of crocodile safari hunting for trophies would be stepping back in time, and a return to the out-dated attitudes to wildlife as seen in the last century.

instead of promoting crocodile safari hunting, the northern Territory government should be focussing on increasing eco-tourism to these areas.



aCtIon reQuIred

aCtIon reQuIred

Manta Ray © istockphoto.com / judilen

6

ValE JoHn HoYt april 15th this year was a day of great sadness for everyone associated with Humane society international (Hsi) and The Humane society of the united state (Hsus), with the announcement of the passing of John Hoyt, a man who served as Hsus/Hsi president and CEo for about half the lifespan of our 58-year-old organization. John passed at his home in fredericksburg, Virginia, just several weeks after celebrating his 80th birthday. His wonderful wife Trudy was at his side, as she had been throughout his life and through the last several difficult years of John’s infirmity and illness.

John was a true pioneer of animal protection work, coming to The Hsus when it was still a young organisation and helped to shape its many campaigns, including those focusing on puppy mills, companion animal euthanasia, animal use in research, testing, entertainment and education, factory farming, trapping, humane slaughter, rodeo to name a few. Just as importantly, John

worked to build Hsus as an organization, leading the drive toward a new level of professionalism, development of strong advocacy and cruelty prevention programs, establishment of regional and global offices, and financial stability to ensure the work could continue long after his departure. John also instituted a new and powerful wildlife and habitat protection program.

John Hoyt was President of the Hsus from 1970 to 1996, and developed the group into the world’s largest animal protection organisation with nearly 12 million supporters. He also established Humane society international in 1991, and with Paul irwin, personally supervised the setting up of Hsi australia in sydney in 1994.

John Hoyt quite simply improved the lives of millions of animals around the world and has left a legacy that will continue to protect animals and the environment well into the future. He was a truly remarkable man and we are all richer for having been touched by him.

Prior to the nsw state election earlier this year, then shadow Environment minister Catherine Cusack assured nsw voters that there would be no hunting in national Parks under a Coalition government. with Premier Barry o’farrell taking personal responsibility for the nsw environment after the election by including the portfolio in his Department of Premier and Cabinet, he reiterated that the nsw liberals and nationals will not turn our national Parks into hunting reserves for the sake of sectional interests.

However, in an about face Premier o’farrell has now announced a government deal with the shooters and fishers Party to open up 79 national Parks, nature reserves and state Conservation areas across nsw to volunteer hunters, with the back down clearly a purely political move to ensure crossbench support from the shooters and fishers Party.

The risks to both public safety and the wellbeing of native fauna involved in allowing recreational shooters to freely use firearms in our national parks are clear, and as there is no reputable evidence that suggests the ad hoc hunting of feral animals by recreational shooters in any way advances moves to control their spread. in contrast, the paths and roads that will be newly cut through national parks as hunting access is increased will further risk the spreading of feral animals into new areas, subjecting animals to inhumane deaths at the hands of amateur hunters is inexcusable.

Claims by the shooters and fishers Party that such a plan represents an environmentally responsible piece of legislation are deceptive and unjustifiable. national parks are highly biodiverse havens for native species, and hunters must not be given free reign within any designated protected areas. it is imperative that recreational hunters are not permitted to shoot native animals under any circumstances and, as the nsw government supposedly agreed, they should not be allowed access to conservation lands managed by the national Parks and wildlife service.

write to nsw Premier Barry o’farrell urging him not to open up nsw national Parks to recreational hunters. The Hon Barry o’farrell, mP, gPo Box 5341, sydney nsw 2001 [email protected]


aCtIon reQuIred

SHootIng In nSw natIonal parkS

Squirrel glider. Photo John McCann

John Hoyt and Verna Simpson at the launch of HSI Australia

7

In our last newsletter, we wrote about the Government’s actions to remove the vital powers of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). Hsi has been a strong champion of this important environmental legislation and was integral to its passing through federal Parliament in 1999. we are therefore concerned at attempts to weaken this critical law.

The recent meeting of the Council of australian governments (Coag) signalled the launch of a concerted campaign against ‘green tape’, calling for the reduction of duplication in environmental legislation, and streamlining of major project approvals process. This may, on the face of it, seem sensible, however these proposals seek to remove federal oversight of state based processes for national environmental matters. in effect, state and territory governments want to assess and approve state-based processes without the current checks and balances provided by an overarching federal process. This is extremely concerning for Hsi and all other environment groups, as it means the removal of the safeguards provided by the Federal Government. given that many of our threatened animals and plants are found in more than one state, or move across these boundaries, we cannot leave these national decisions in the hands of state governments.

in response, Hsi is leading an alliance of environment groups in a campaign against the proposals. all groups are in agreement that this latest attack on our environmental protection measures must not be allowed to go ahead. Please help us by writing to the Prime minister and let her know your views.


“green tape” IS vItal To ProTECT our EnVironmEnT

Please write to Prime minister Julia gillard and the federal Environment minister Tony Burke and ask them to reject the attack on our environment laws. Tell them it is vital that the federal government retains control of our national environmental matters, and they should not abdicate their essential role in this process.

also send letters to Tony abbott mP, leader of the opposition and greg Hunt mP, shadow minister for the Environment (who support these moves and want to go even further in destroying national laws if they are elected next year). all can be reached at Po Box 6022, House of representatives, Parliament House, Canberra aCT 2600. other contact details on page 9.


aCtIon reQuIred

© istockphoto.com / Craig RJD

8

The level of animal cruelty and suffering generated by the fur trade has reached a record high, and despite Customs controls, illegal dog and cat fur is still reaching Australian stores. in an bid to reduce the demand for real fur and raise awareness, Hsi has written to all major australian retailers alerting them to the issue of illegal fur from asia, and inviting them to sign the ‘HSI 2012 Fur Free Pledge’. Each retailer who signs the Pledge has agreed not to sell any fur garments, accessories, or

products containing fur, so you can be rest assured that by shopping at these retailers you can be confident you’re not supporting this brutal trade. a list of these compassionate retailers, together with a link to their website, is now available for you to use on our website at www.hsi.org.au and is updated daily.

China has recently become the biggest fur exporter in the world and a growing number of fur wholesalers have relocated their activities to China where labour costs are low and regulations are minimal, or non-existent. China is one of the few countries in the world where there are no laws to protect animals from such cruelty.

our 18 month undercover investigations in China in 2002 exposed devastating cruelty endured within fur farms, with animals kept in cramped, filthy conditions. These animals are often skinned alive in order to save time and preserve their pelts for the precious trade. our investigations revealed that more than 2 million dogs and cats were slaughtered in the most inhumane ways possible, but the last few years have seen such an increase in demand that this figure is now conservatively closer to 10 million. it seems they will go to any lengths to get animals for the trade, gathering strays or even stealing people’s pets, rounding up any animals they can find. The recent escalation of pets being stolen in asia only indicates how heartless this cruel trade really is.

once again, the government has failed to introduce labelling laws to make sure the species killed to make a garment is specified, so it’s impossible to know what it’s made from. The asian markets know full well that we would never buy fur from domestic pets, so fur products are often mislabelled as

Although our campaigners have many specific targets each year there is also a great need to plan long term strategies for many of the major environmental and animal welfare issues we face. By supporting us with a regular monthly pledge, you empower us to budget with confidence for these projects.

As a regular supporter of HSI, your tax-deductible donations will be deducted from either your credit card (Amex, Mastercard, Visa) or a nominated bank account once per month, and can start with any amount that suits your budget! To receive further information please feel free to contact our office on free call 1800 333 737 or simply complete the coupon below to receive our regular pledge authorisation forms.

Thank you also to all our existing regular supporters – without your help our work for the animals would be greatly diminished.

Title First Name Last Name

Postal Address

State Postcode Contact Phone ( ) Email

4 Yes, please send more information on becoming a regular supporter of Hsi.

Become an HSI regular supporter and spread your donations evenly across the year!

There are a number of things you can do to help us end this cruel trade:

- Don’t buy fur because many products are mislabelled – the safest solution is to avoid it altogether.

- sign our new Hsi 2012 fur free supporter Pledge on our website at www.hsi.org.au to support our campaign.

- if you know of any retailers missing from our fur free retailer list, please let us know by sending an email to [email protected].

- if you come across any retailers selling real fur, either let us know or contact their Head office and explain your concerns.

- write a letter to the Prime minister asking the australian government to properly enforce the law banning cat and dog fur imports into australia, and ask them to enact legislation to ensure ‘truth in labelling’, making it mandatory to identify species and country of origin on all fur products. The address is: The Hon Julia gillard mP, Prime minister, Parliament House, Canberra aCT 2600.

- send your replies to us.

- refer to the section on the fur trade on the Hsi website (www.hsi.org.au) for more ideas on ‘what you can do to help’.

aCtIon reQuIred

ETHiCal rETailErs Join Hsi in tHe fIgHt agaInSt fur

rabbit, with no species specified at all, or even as faux fur. Every australian retailer selling fur runs the risk of breaking the law if it was found to contain fur from a domestic dog or cat. for this reason we urge you not to buy any fur at all, thereby avoiding any risk of wearing someone’s family pet. instead, our ethical retailer list will provide you with ample shopping opportunities in the comfort that no animals have suffered.

Common vest currently in stores. Rebecca Keeble

9

federal:Prime MinisterThe Honourable Julia gillard, mP Po Box 6022 House of representatives Parliament House Canberra aCT 2600 Tel: (02) 6277 7700 fax: (02) 6273 4100 To contact the Prime minister please go to www.pm.gov.au and use the ‘Contact Your Pm’ facility

Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and CommunitiesThe Honourable Tony Burke, mP Po Box 6022 House of representatives Parliament House Canberra aCT 2600 Tel: (02) 6277 7640 fax: (02) 6273 6101 [email protected]

Minister for Climate Change and Energy EfficiencyThe Honourable greg Combet, am mP Po Box 6022 House of representatives Parliament House Canberra aCT 2600 Tel: (02) 6277 7920 fax: (02) 6273 7330 [email protected]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry*senator the Honourable Joe ludwigPo Box 6100senateParliament HouseCanberra aCT 2600Tel: (02) 6277 7520fax: (02) 6273 [email protected]

vICtorIa:VIC PremierThe Honourable Ted Baillieu mP level 1, 1 Treasury Place mElBournE ViC 3000 Tel: (03) 9651 5000 fax: (03) 9651 5054 [email protected]

Minister for Agriculture*The Honourable Peter walsh mP level 20, 1 spring street mElBournE ViC 3000 Tel: (03) 9938 5954 fax: (03) 9658 4191 [email protected]

Minister for Environment and Climate ChangeThe Honourable ryan smith mP level 17, 8 nicholson street mElBournE ViC 3000 Tel: (03) 9637 8890 fax: (03) 9637 8880 [email protected]

Minister for Energy and ResourcesThe Honourable michael o’Brien mPlevel 22, 1 spring streetmElBournE ViC 3000Tel: (03) 9938 5963fax: (03) 9938 5962michael.o’[email protected]

new SoutH waleS:NSW Premier**The Honourable Barry o’farrell, mP gPo Box 5341 sYDnEY nsw 2001 Tel: (02) 9228 5239 fax: (02) 9228 3935 [email protected]

Minister for Primary Industries*The Honourable katrina Hodgkinson, mP gPo Box 5341 sYDnEY nsw 2001 Tel: (02) 9228 5210 fax: (02) 9228 5969 [email protected]

Minister for Environment and HeritageThe Honourable robyn Parker, mPgPo Box 5341sYDnEY nsw 2001Tel: (02) 9228 5253fax: (02) 9228 [email protected]

** Climate Change issues now fall under the responsibility of the nsw Department of Premier and Cabinet. *animal welfare ministers

QueenSland:QLD PremierThe Honourable Campbell newman, mP Po Box 15185 CiTY EasT QlD 4002 Tel: (07) 3224 4500 fax: (07) 3221 1809 [email protected]

Minister for Natural Resources and MinesThe Honourable andrew Cripps, mP Po Box 15216 CiTY EasT QlD 4002 Tel: (07) 3225 1861 fax: (07) 3224 2491 [email protected]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and ForestryThe Honourable John mcVeigh, mP gPo Box 46 BrisBanE QlD 4001 Tel: (07) 3239 3000 fax: (07) 3211 8199 [email protected]

Minister for Environment and Heritage ProtectionThe Honourable andrew Powell, mP gPo Box 2454 BrisBanE QlD 4001 Tel: (07) 3239 0844 fax: (07) 3224 2496 [email protected]

weStern auStralIa:WA PremierThe Honourable Colin Barnett, mla24th floor, governor stirling Tower197 st georges TerracePErTH wa 6000Tel: (08) 6552 5000fax: (08) 6552 [email protected]

Minister for Agriculture and Food / Minister for ForestryThe Honourable Terry redman, mla11th floor, Dumas House, 2 Havelock streetwEsT PErTH wa 6005

Tel: (08) 9213 6700fax: (08) 9213 [email protected]

Minister for the EnvironmentThe Honourable Bill marmion, BE mBa mla 29th floor, allendale square, 77 st george’s Terrace PErTH wa 6000 Tel: (08) 6552 6800 fax: (08) 6552 6801 [email protected]

Minister for FisheriesThe Honourable norman moore, mlC4th floor, london House, 216 st georges TerracePErTH wa 6000Tel: (08) 6552 5400 fax: (08) 6552 5401 [email protected]

Minister for Local Government*The Honourable John Castrilli, mla12th floor, Dumas House, 2 Havelock streetwEsT PErTH wa 6005Tel: (08) 6552 6600fax: (08) 6552 [email protected]

SoutH auStralIa:SA PremierThe Honourable Jay weatherhill, mPgPo Box 2343aDElaiDE sa 5001Tel: (08) 8463 3166fax: (08) 8463 [email protected]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries*, Minister for ForestsThe Honourable gail gagogPo Box 464aDElaiDE sa 5001Tel: (08) 8303 2926fax: (08) 8303 [email protected]

Minister for Environment and ConservationThe Honourable Paul CaicagPo Box 1047aDElaiDE sa 5001Tel: (08) 8463 5680fax: (08) 8463 [email protected]

nortHern terrItorY:NT Chief MinisterThe Honourable Paul Henderson, mlagPo Box 3146Darwin nT 0801Tel: (08) 8901 4000fax: (08) 8901 [email protected]

Minister for Primary Industry, Fisheries and ResourcesThe Honourable konstantine Vatskalis, mlagPo Box 3146Darwin nT 0801Tel: (08) 8901 4118fax: (08) 8901 [email protected]

Minister for Resources, Environment and Heritage / Parks and Wildlife / Climate Changemr karl Hampton, mlagPo Box 3146Darwin nT 0801Tel: (08) 8901 4053fax: (08) 8901 [email protected]

Minister for Local Government*The Honourable malarndirri mcCarthy, mlagPo Box 3146Darwin nT 0801Telephone: 08 8901 4072facsimile: 08 8901 4080Email: [email protected]

taSmanIa:TAS PremierThe Honourable lara giddings, mP11th floor, Executive Building15 murray streetHoBarT Tas 7000Tel: (03) 6233 3464fax: (03) 6234 [email protected]

Minister for Primary Industries and WaterThe Honourable Bryan green, mP10th floor, Executive Building15 murray streetHoBarT Tas 7000Tel: (03) 6434 6252fax: (03) 6434 [email protected]

Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage*The Honourable Brian wightman, mP10th floor, state offices10 murray streetHoBarT Tas 7000Tel: (03) 6336 2637fax: (03) 6336 [email protected]

Minister for Climate ChangeThe Honourable Cassy o’Connor, mPlevel 9, marine Board Building1 franklin wharfHoBarT Tas 7000Ph: (03) 6233 6756fax: (03) 6233 [email protected]

auStralIan CapItal terrItorY:Chief MinisterThe Honourable katy gallagher, mla gPo Box 1020 CanBErra aCT 2601 Phone: (02) 6205 0840 fax: (02) 6205 3030 [email protected]

Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and WaterThe Honourable simon Corbell, mlagPo Box 1020CanBErra aCT 2601Phone: (02) 6205 0000fax: (02) 6205 [email protected]

lisT of CoNSERVATIoN AND ANIMAL WELFARE minisTErs

** Climate Change issues now fall under the responsibility of the NSW Department

of Premier and Cabinet. *Animal welfare Ministers.


10

Egg CorP aTTEmPTs To CHangE ‘free range’ defInItIon

natIonal HerItage for anTarCTiCa

Australian Egg Corporation (AECL) have lodged an application to change the free range eggs standards prompting nationwide controversy and sparking a heated debate amongst concerned producers and consumers. under the current model Code of Practice, farms are allowed to stock 1,500 laying hens in a hectare and they are classed as ‘free range’. However, under Egg Corp’s proposed

standards, one of the changes would mean an astonishing 13 fold increase in this stocking density, so producers could allow up to 20,000 hens per hectare, yet still label them free range! This would mean that large egg producers could class more of their eggs as free range, taking advantage of the increasing trend towards this category.

not only does the move to water down standards affect genuine free range egg producers, it also means consumers who choose free range eggs will be exploited. Hsi believe it is every consumer’s right for products to be labelled truthfully, and consumer research has supported this belief.

Then there are the hens themselves, whose welfare is of grave concern to Hsi, and to so many compassionate shoppers like you. in larger groups, the birds suffer unnecessary stress as they are restricted and can no longer perform their natural behaviours. This often results in pecking, either themselves or each other, and sometimes even cannibalism. Egg Corp’s solution to this issue is to introduce another change, namely to allow routine beak trimming for free range hens.

The australian Competition and Consumer Commission (aCCC) called for submissions and comments on Eggs Corp’s application which closed on 30 June 2012. Hsi would like to thank all of you who kindly supported us by sending comments to aCCC. it was a great opportunity to try to stop Egg Corp moving the goalposts, just to allow larger producers to make more profits.

Hsi has distributed 250,000 postcards which will make their way into free range egg cartons across australia, reaching compassionate consumers. on the back there is a prepared message to the minister for agriculture requesting truth in labelling as well as enforced stocking densities of 1,500 birds per hectare for free range layer hens.

Completed cards are posted to our Hsi offices where they are being collected, and then they will all be presented to the government. Hsi hopes that this initiative will help strengthen our campaign to enforce a true free range stocking density, as well as defend every consumer’s right for truth in labelling.

write to the Environment minister, the Hon Tony Burke mP by email to [email protected] or by fax to 02 6273 610, asking that he put the aaT on the next heritage “finalised Priority assessment list.”


aCtIon reQuIred

- we have enclosed two postcards with this newsletter for you to complete for us, and one for you to pass on to a friend.

- if you would like postcards to distribute for us, then please email us at [email protected], or phone us on (02) 9973 1728 to request the quantity you require.

- write to the federal minister for agriculture and let the government know that you feel exploited because the term ‘free range’ is not protected by law. Explain that you expect free range eggs to be genuinely free to range, and ask them to enforce stocking densities of 1,500 birds per hectare for outdoor layer hens, as set out in the current Code of Practice. more details can be found at www.humanechoice.com.au

- send your replies to us.

aCtIon reQuIred

Hsi has been calling upon the Commonwealth government to give Australia’s Antarctic Territory (aaT) and its EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) added protection by including them in australia’s National Heritage List. Hsi has such a proposal currently before the minister, who now has to decide whether to give priority to assessing our antarctic Territory for national Heritage listing.

© istockphoto.com / Lee Sutterby

Phil Westwood

11

Egg CorP aTTEmPTs To CHangE ‘free range’ defInItIon

natIonal HerItage for anTarCTiCa

grantS program launCHed To HElP rEDuCE farm animal suffEring

Save taSmanIa’S tarkIne

write to the Environment minister, the Hon Tony Burke mP by email to [email protected] or by fax to 02 6273 6101 urging him to take speedy action to protect the magnificent Tarkine under the national Heritage list.


aCtIon reQuIred


Humane Society International and the University of Queensland Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics are happy to announce that our 2012 Grants Program has now launched! The annual $10,000 scholarship will fund research projects addressing the welfare of farm animals and Hsi hopes such research will assist with the movement towards more humane care of intensively farmed animals in australia. The rosalind Dixon memorial scholarship for farm animal welfare research was generously donated by garth Dixon, in memory of his wife rosalind Dixon, who both made a long-standing contribution to the preservation of native vegetation in nsw.

The scholarship will be provided for research that addresses issues in intensive farming. more specifically, it should focus on issues that could potentially improve practices that impact an animal’s freedom to express natural behaviours. These behaviours may include nurturing their young, interacting with their fellow herd or flock, freedom of movement and exercise, minimizing stress in their environment and during handling, and alternatives to surgical procedures. Humane society international Director, Verna simpson, said she is looking forward to seeing some of the innovative ideas that come from the applications.

for further details, please contact Clive Phillips at the university of Queesnland Centre for animal welfare and Ethics by phone on (07) 5460 1158 or 0406 340 133, or by email at [email protected]. applications for the scholarship will close on Thursday 30th august, 2012. we look forward to receiving your applications!

since the new national Heritage Program was established in 2004, there has been an ongoing attempt by conservation organisations, including Hsi, to see the Tarkine, one of australia’s most magnificent natural areas, given protection under the national Heritage provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation ACT 1999. as the Commonwealth’s environment department website states:

“The Tarkine is a beautiful remote part of Tasmania which supports Australia’s largest tract of cool temperate rainforest. The Tarkine landscape ranges from wild windswept beaches through extensive buttongrass plains with stunning vistas to impressive rainforests. These rainforests are important for their flora which has links to the ancient continent of Gondwana, and for their lichens and fossils which help tell the story of Australia’s ancient flora and its evolution. The Tarkine also contains an extensive area of high quality wilderness and rare magnesite karst systems. Dotted along the wind-swept coastline are the remains of numerous hut depressions found in Aboriginal middens. These huts and middens are the remnants of an unusual specialised and more sedentary Aboriginal way of life which was based on the hunting of seals and

land mammals, and the gathering of shellfish”.

The Commonwealth government is still assessing the various potential national Heritage values before making recommendations to minister Burke on whether or not to give the Tarkine a full national Heritage listing. it is absolutely critical that minister Burke agrees to move immediately with the listing and protection of this iconic conservation place.

© istockphoto.com / Yen Teoh

Lee McCosker

12

Many thanks toBIO DISTRIBUTORS BIO-DYNAMIC &

ORGANIC WHOLESALERS OF TASMANIAwho sponsored the printing of this newsletter

PO Box 12, Sheffield, Tasmania 7306 Phone/Fax (03) 6491 1439 [email protected]

www.biodistributors.com.au

Humane Society International would like to thank DMC for their donated services.

T: 03 9427 7267 F: 03 9427 7370 E: [email protected] www.directmail.com.au

nl42 nl42

ISBN 978-0-9871112-8-9

The wildlife land trust (WLT) continues to welcome a diverse range of privately owned properties, with the network now comprising 163 sanctuaries across the country, following the landmark 150th member coming on board shortly after the last newsletter went to print.

The largest of these recent additions is Stringybark Sanctuary, located around 300km southeast of adelaide in south australia. This 220 hectare property provides habitat for echidnas, wallabies, kangaroos, emus, possums, gliders, many reptile species and at least 30 species of native birds, with magnificent examples of grass trees scattered throughout the eucalypt forests, heathlands and limestone outcrops that characterise the sanctuary.

not all bits of bush can boast the biodiversity and conservation values of Stringybark Sanctuary, but they all have a part to play in the big picture. whether you have habitat set aside on a working farm, a few acres next to a house block, or your property connects through to a highly vegetated area, we’d love to hear from you at the wlT.

Voluntary and without cost or legal obligation, the wlT is a risk free way to get involved with private land conservation. owners of properties small or large with habitat providing for the needs of all wildlife, common and rare species alike, are invited to fill out our simple sanctuary application form and join a global network of landholders dedicated to wildlife preservation.

By joining you’ll become a member of an expanding worldwide group of sanctuaries promoting best conservation practices and protecting wildlife and habitats, with other benefits including the opportunity to tell like-minded people about your sanctuary and it’s wildlife inhabitants through stories on our website and regular newsletter, advice should your property come under any threats of development, and signage for your property.

To learn more or fill out an application form, head to the Wildlife Land Trust website at www.wildlifelandtrust.org.au. if you would like any further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Evan Quartermain on 1800 333 737 or at [email protected].

BEComE a mEmBEr of THE wIldlIfe land truSt

Pam and Matt May Stringybark Sanctuary.

stop the pain and suffering of working animals in mali - hsi

Documents

working animals of mali

suffering of working

protection of animals

number of stricken animals

spana society

hard working donkeys

spana team

year period