Issue 315 --- September 28, 2004
A Project of The Humane Society of the United States and The Fund for Animals
http://www.humanelines.org/

 

ASK USDA TO INCREASE STANDARDS OF CARE FOR MICE AND BIRDS:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is crafting new rules for the care of certain birds, rats and mice by some of the industries that profit from their use.  Although the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) was amended in 2002 to exclude virtually all birds, rats and mice bred for research from the AWA’s protections, the statutory language left room for some birds, rats and mice – e.g., those not bred for research and wild-caught animals used in research – to be covered.

On June 4, USDA announced its intention to develop rules to cover certain birds, rats and mice used, produced or held by breeders, exhibitors (such as zoos), wholesale pet sellers, transporters, and research facilities.  The agency invited public comments, due Nov. 1, which will help shape the rules USDA develops. There promises to be tremendous opposition from those in industries that profit from breeding, using or holding these animals. We must ensure a major outpouring of supportive comments in favor of animal protection.

WHAT  YOU CAN DO:

Send your written comments to the USDA by Monday, November 1. Ask the USDA to:
 
  • Ensure that enforcement of the AWA is extended to all animals not specifically excluded by Congress in 2002, in all user categories (e.g. research).
  • Require environmental enrichment for these birds, rats and mice.
     
  • Prohibit the sale of unweaned baby birds.
     
  • Regulate retail pet stores that sell larger breeds of birds such as conures and parrots.

Mail an original copy of your comments plus 3 copies (include your name, address, and “Docket No. 98-106-4”) to:
 

Docket No. 98-106-4
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS
Station 3C71
Unit 118
4700 River Road
 
Riverdale, MD  20737-1238
 

You may also submit your comments electronically through any one of the following formats:
 

  1. Send an email, with “Docket No. 98-106-4” in the subject line, to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Make sure your comments are in the body of the e-mail; don't send an attachment.
  2. Use the USDA web form at http://comments.aphis.usda.gov/
  3. Submit your comments through the federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov/.


FUR UPS AND DOWNS:
In the past few weeks, there have been two major developments on the front of the fur wars.  While one major European-based fur retailer stopped selling all garments made from real fur, another retailer in the U.S. took the opposite tact and put fur on its sale roster. 

For the first time in its more than 80-year history, Barney’s New York has begun selling fur garments in its new, uptown flagship store on Madison Ave. Because Barney's is considered a fashion icon by many, its decision to sell fur is a significant step backwards in the fight against the bloody fur trade.

Ironically, Barney’s declares that it stands for “taste, luxury and humor,” but its sale of the products of animal suffering is anything but tasteful. Wild animals trapped for their fur suffer horribly in steel-jawed leghold traps, often chewing off their own limbs in order to escape the cruel traps.  “Ranch-raised” fur animals fare just as poorly on fur farms, driven insane by their confinement inside tiny wire cages and finally killed by gassing, neck breaking or electrocution via anal or genital clamps.

Partly because of this cruelty, Zara, a major European-based fashion retailer, has made a decisive move to ban fur garments from its stores.  The compassionate decision came after activists had planned major protests at Zara locations worldwide, for its sale of rabbit-fur lined garment.  Zara operates more than 2,000 stores throughout Europe, the U.S. and Mexico.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
 

  1. Let Barney’s know how disappointed you are in its callous and cruel decision to profit from animal cruelty. Ask them to rethink their decision to sell fur coats.
    Barneys New York
    660 Madison Avenue
    New York NY 10021-8448
    Phone: 212.826.8900
    Fax: 212-833-2293
    email: info-madison@barneys.com

     
  2. Send an email to Zara executives, thanking them for their compassionate, ethical decision: comunicacion@inditex.com


LAST CHANCE FOR FOIE GRAS DUCKS:
With Senate Bill 1520 on his desk, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to take action this week on the bill to ban foie gras production.  The latest word from the state capitol is that the governor is still undecided about the fate of SB 1520 and has an equal chance of vetoing or signing the bill. Now is our last chance to speak up for the ducks and geese who are victimized by the cruel foie gras industry.

Foie gras is produced by confining ducks or geese and using a mechanized pump and long pipe to force huge amounts of food into their stomachs several times a day.  In a matter of weeks, their livers expand up to ten times the normal size and the birds quickly deteriorate; many are unable to walk or breathe without difficulty.

Even if you've already done so, and even if you're not a California resident, please speak up for this extremely important, ground-breaking legislation to protect animals.

 

Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger may be reached via email at governor@governor.ca.gov, or you can record your vote automatically over the telephone by dialing 916-445-1456 (press 2, then press 4, then press 1 to automatically record your 'yes' vote on SB 1520).
 


For more information about SB 1520 and foie gras production, see http://www.nofoiegras.com/.