*Kangaroo meat cleared for China imports!

http://www.meatinternational.com/news/kangaroo-meat-cleared-for-china-imports-following-negotiations-id1594.html
Kangaroo meat cleared for China imports 06 Jul 2009
Chinese authorities have agreed to trade protocols in order to permit kangaroo meat into the country.


"Russia used to, and still would, consume 70% or more kangaroo meat. Now China, they could consume by far more kangaroo meat than we could supply."

The new trade agreement comes following five years’ discussions.



------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1750286/steve_irwins_father_warns_against_importing_roo_meat-to_china/index.html

Download full size image

Steve Irwin’s Father Warns Against Importing Roo Meat To China
Posted on: Wednesday, 9 September 2009, 13:30 CDT

Bob Irwin, father of the late television personality and conservationist Steve Irwin, is calling on China to disallow importing kangaroo meat for consumption.

"We wouldn't eat your pandas, so please don't eat our kangaroos. Come and see them," Irwin said.

He said that importing kangaroo meat to the Asian market would result in a dwindling kangaroo population, which could hurt Australia’s tourism industry.

"The Chinese are one of our biggest visitors and kangaroos are one of their favorite attractions. If they were to start eating kangaroos, we predict that within a few years there won't be any left in the wild for them to see," Irwin said.

According to AFP, John Kelly, executive officer of the Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia, said export to China would begin during the first half of next year.

"They're slow breeders and the numbers are critical at the moment so we're terrified at what happens if China opens their door to it," Australia Society for Kangaroos coordinator Nikki Sutterby said.

"We're trying to get the buying public and the international community to boycott it like they have done with seals and other barbaric trades."

As of August 1, Russia barred exports of kangaroo meat in addition to meats from other countries due to sanitary concerns.

---

On the Net:

a.. Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090909/wl_asia_afp/australiachinaanimalconservationkangaroo
Don't eat kangaroos, Steve Irwin's dad urges China


Wed Sep 9, 3:38 AM ET
Bob Irwin, wildlife conservationist and father of the late Steve Irwin, with a kangaroo. Irwin is urging China not to start importing kangaroo meat, warning it could wipe out huge stocks of the animal. Irwin made his plea after Australia's kangaroo industry began courting the giant Asian market in the wake of Russia's decision to bar imports.

(AFP/Judy Irwin/Ho)

Wed Sep 9, 3:38 am ET
SYDNEY (AFP) – The father of late Australian conservationist Steve Irwin urged China on Wednesday not to start importing kangaroo meat, warning it could wipe out huge stocks of the animal.

Bob Irwin made his plea after Australia's kangaroo industry began courting the giant Asian market in the wake of Russia's move to bar imports.

"We wouldn't eat your pandas, so please don't eat our kangaroos. Come and see them," Irwin said.

Irwin, whose "Crocodile Hunter" son was killed in a freak stingray accident in 2006, said kangaroos held more value as a tourist attraction than as meat with the country's stocks now "critical."

"The Chinese are one of our biggest visitors and kangaroos are one of their favourite attractions. If they were to start eating kangaroos, we predict that within a few years there won't be any left in the wild for them to see," Irwin said.

Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia executive officer John Kelly told AFP last month that exports to China were expected to start in the first half of next year.

Russia, a major export market, barred kangaroo meat from August 1 along with meat products from a host of other countries, citing sanitary concerns.

"They're slow breeders and the numbers are critical at the moment so we're terrified at what happens if China opens their door to it," Australia Society for Kangaroos coordinator Nikki Sutterby said.

"We're trying to get the buying public and the international community to boycott it like they have done with seals and other barbaric trades."

Sutterby said kangaroos often suffer painful deaths as they are hunted in the wild rather than farmed, adding that their young, known as joeys, are routinely beaten to death.

Please Help Stop Kangaroo Killings in Australia

Please Help Stop Kangaroo Killings in Australia
For Further Information please go to ..
http://www.kangaroo-protection-coalition.com

Sponsor Roo..
http://www.sponsoroo.com/big%20trouble%20for%20kangaroos.htm


AnimalsAustralia. ..
http://www.animalsaustralia.org/issues/kangaroo_shooting.php

Animal Liberation Australia..
http://animal-lib.org.au/

Animal Liberation Victoria....
http://www.alv.org.au/

Viva UK...
http:// www.savethekangaroo.com/
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
PLEASE SIGN ALL PETITIONS BELOW TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT TO END THE KANGAROO MASSACRES.

http://gopetition.com/petitions/kangaroo-extinction.html

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/3644883 (against the killing of kangaroo babies)

http://www.gopetition.com/online/26586.html
. ..against the Majura Defence Site Slaughters

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Please note: "Killing for kicks" kangaroo slaughter VIDEO may upset some viewers..
http://www.truveo.com/killing-for-kicks/id/180369402
and...David Beckham stopped wearing kangaroo skin football boots due to 1.fierce campaigns and 2. his wife Victoria urging him to do so. He now wears Synthetic football boots.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -

Though this VIDEO was "2005 year of the kangaroo"..We say EVERY YEAR is the year of the kangaroo! Lets give the kangaroos the honor and respect that they deserve!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCOU_nnbKKI
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
ALL THE WORLD KNOWS AND LOVES THE KANGAROO!
WHY? because they are portrayed in MOVIES, videos and SONG! again we give these REAL Australians that honour .... TO LIVE!
THANKYOU FOR FIGHTING WITH US.. TO HELP SAVE THE KANGAROO!

All children could learn from "Dot and the kangaroo" (Episode 11) Animated Australian Movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JugndOh4-bs

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX1SB9fr85E&feature=related
This Kangaroo song created a popular and fun dance craze in GERMANY.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsqGQseCyl4&feature=related
From the Warner Bros Comedy Movie "Kangaroo Jack" USA/AUSTRALIA

Stop EU Imports - 440,000 Joeys killed every year!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-eu-imports---440000-joeys-killed-every-year
Target:European Union
Sponsored by: Philip Woolley
Imagine the peaceful scene, a kangaroo looks out across the Australian night; her baby joey in her pouch and an adolescent kangaroo by her side. A shot rings out and she falls to the ground. Confused, the older joey hops away into the bush in panic. Helpless and terrified, the baby joey is ripped from his mother's pouch and thrown to the ground.




A metal bar is raised and brought down with force; smashing his tiny head as his mother lies dying at his side unable to save her baby. This scene is repeated every single night in Australia, over and over again. Please help us end the largest massacre of land animals on the planet today.

This petition saves lives.

Also Visit:-
www.440000joeys.eu



to find out more and register with us.


Australia exports kangaroo meat to 48 countries. According to figures supplied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in 2008 this business alone was worth $83.6 million.
Kangaroo shooters work all night, driving especially equipped four-wheel-drive vehicles that can usually carry up to 50 carcasses. Their prey is transfixed by a high-powered lamp and shot through the head. They are bled on the truck before being eviscerated and having their heads, tails, and sometimes limbs removed. If the kangaroo is a female with young, the National Code of Practice for Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes states the hairless joey (in-pouch)must be killed by having it's head cut off or a single forceful blow to the base of the skull. For the young-at-foot a single shot to the brain or heart.

Dror Ben-Ami states in a new report that by conservative estimates 440,000 joeys die every year. There is also evidence, he says, that 40 per cent of the adults are not killed by a clean shot to the head, but by a more painful and illegal shot to the jaw or neck. Second, there is no sustainability for the declining kangaroo population. In 1880 the population was estimated at some 240 Million animals (Chisholm 1963) but 2008 estimates put that same population at some , 25.8 Million kangaroos.

This trade must be banned in Europe! Please sign this petition. Seal clubbing has been banned and so must this!Imagine the peaceful scene, a kangaroo looks out across the Australian night; her baby joey in her pouch and an adolescent kangaroo by her side. A shot rings out and she falls to the ground. Confused, the older joey hops away into the bush in panic. Helpless and terrified, the baby joey is ripped from his mother's pouch and thrown to the ground.




A metal bar is raised and brought down with force; smashing his tiny head as his mother lies dying at his side unable to save her baby. This scene is repeated every single night in Australia, over and over again. Please help us end the largest massacre of land animals on the planet today.

This petition saves lives.

Also Visit:-
www.440000joeys.eu


to find out more and register with us.


Australia exports kangaroo meat to 48 countries. According to figures supplied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in 2008 this business alone was worth $83.6 million.
Kangaroo shooters work all night, driving especially equipped four-wheel-drive vehicles that can usually carry up to 50 carcasses. Their prey is transfixed by a high-powered lamp and shot through the head. They are bled on the truck before being eviscerated and having their heads, tails, and sometimes limbs removed. If the kangaroo is a female with young, the National Code of Practice for Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes states the hairless joey (in-pouch)must be killed by having it's head cut off or a single forceful blow to the base of the skull. For the young-at-foot a single shot to the brain or heart.

Dror Ben-Ami states in a new report that by conservative estimates 440,000 joeys die every year. There is also evidence, he says, that 40 per cent of the adults are not killed by a clean shot to the head, but by a more painful and illegal shot to the jaw or neck. Second, there is no sustainability for the declining kangaroo population. In 1880 the population was estimated at some 240 Million animals (Chisholm 1963) but 2008 estimates put that same population at some , 25.8 Million kangaroos.

This trade must be banned in Europe! Please sign this petition. Seal clubbing has been banned and so must this!

Calls to ban ‘dangerous’ kangaroo meat from UK

http://www.viva.org.uk/mediareleases/display.php?articlepid=188


LEADING animal group Viva! is calling for a ban on the importation of kangaroo meat into the UK after fears of E-coli and other diseases the meat could carry. It has also raised concerns about cruelty and the sustainability of the mass hunting of Australia’s most iconic animal.

Russia, the largest importer of kangaroo meat in the world, has placed a ban on the importation of all kangaroo meat, which is due to start from the beginning of August this year. It follows the banning of the meat from three Australian processing plants last year after it found antibiotics in carcasses. The ban comes after a 2009 Australian report revealed that E. coli and salmonella bacteria had been found in some kangaroo carcasses intended for human consumption1. The report concluded that good hygiene was impossible, as kangaroos are killed in the wild and there can be excessive periods of time between an animal being shot and processed and the carcass being placed in cold storage.

However, the news of the Russian ban comes days after a new market for the meat has opened up in China. Queensland kangaroo processor, John Burey says: "Now China, they could consume by far and away more kangaroo meat than we could supply."2 Viva! maintain that kangaroo populations are in freefall, and any further expansion would be disastrous to a species already under vast pressure.

More than three million kangaroos are hunted every year despite the worst drought in living memory and the result is a collapse of kangaroo populations3. Hundreds of thousands of baby joeys, which are useless to the industry, are decapitated or clubbed to death every year.

Viva! campaigns manager, Justin Kerswell says: “It is wonderful news that Russia has banned the importation of this cruel and potentially disease-ridden meat. But it begs the question why we haven’t followed suit yet? British consumers have for too long been seduced by the idea that kangaroo meat is just a bit of fun. The reality is that this hides what is the largest massacre of land animals in the world today and could pose a potent health risk.”

ENDS

For more information about this media release, please contact Viva! press officer Helen Rossiter on 0117 944 1000 (press@viva.org.uk)
or Viva! campaigns manager Justin Kerswell (justin@viva.org.uk)
.

Notes to editors

Viva! is writing to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to demand the immediate banning of the importation of kangaroo meat under health grounds.

Kangaroo meat is for sale in the UK at Walkabout chains (http://www.walkabout.eu.com/home/venues/london/finchley-road/menu?s1=kangaroo)
as well as independent eateries, butchers and delis. It is sold wholesale by companies such as Osgrow (http://www.osgrow.co.uk/index_document_3.htm)
and Alternative Meats (http://www.alternativemeats.co.uk/Xn36cg112033/Kangaroo/c-1-80/)
. Viva! distinguished itself when it persuaded all Britain’s 1,500 supermarkets to drop the sale of kangaroo and other ‘exotic meats’. It has most recently persuaded cash-and-carry firms Booker and Makro to drop kangaroo meat in the UK

1 Report: A Shot in the Dark by Dror Ben-Ami, PhD (2009) http://www.kangaroo-protection-coalition.com/support-files/a_shot_in_the_dark.pdf


Key points of hygiene:

“• There is a concern of a human health threat from an unidentified epidemic that periodically causes high levels of mortality in localised kangaroo populations.
• Hygiene surrounding the production of kangaroo meat is so poor that the Russian Federation has banned the import of kangaroo meat.
• An independent investigation has identified unacceptable levels of bacterial accumulations in kangaroo carcasses in chillers (holding facilities for kangaroo carcasses) in Queensland.
• Regulation of hygienic practices at the three to six million annual points of kill where kangaroos are shot and eviscerated is impossible.”

2 http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/200906/s2608168.htm


3 Kill tallies do not include the hundreds of thousands of baby ‘Joeys’, who are clubbed with iron bars or left to die from exposure or predation in the bush. According to official Australian government statistics, the populations of kangaroos in the areas where they are commercially hunted have fallen by 55 per cent since 2001. Because of this drop, new areas have been opened up for hunting kangaroos to keep supplies up from an ever dwindling number of kangaroos – most recently an area in NSW.

According to the Australian Society for Kangaroos, Western Grey, Eastern Grey, Wallaroo and Red Kangaroo populations have plummeted to densities of below five kangaroos per square kilometre – something defined in the Australian government’s Murray Darling report as ‘quasi extinction’. In fact, densities of less than two kangaroos per square kilometre have been identified across 50 to 60 per cent of three states where commercial hunting is allowed.

Their report ‘Decimation of an Icon’ can be viewed online by visiting http://www.kangaroo-protection-coalition.com/kangaroo-extinction.html


Viva! has also had a long-running campaign against the Adidas use of kangaroo leather in football boot manufacture. The world's largest uses of kangaroo leather, its advertising was headed by David Beckham, who changed from Predator football boots made of kangaroo leather to those from synthetics after an intervention by Viva!.

Viva! is the largest vegetarian and vegan campaigning organisation in Europe. Founder and director Juliet Gellatley was presented with the Australian Wildlife Protection Council award for services to wildlife in 1998



Viva! Vegetarians International Voice for Animals
8 York Court, Wilder Street, Bristol BS2 8QH, UK
T: 0117 944 1000 F: 0117 924 4646 E: info@viva.org.uk

AUSTRALIA'S ASTOUNDING HYPOCRISY

Dear animal friends. This alert is mainly for UK
animal friends. However if you do not live in UK but outside
Australia, we would really appreciate if you could write short
letter to the list of contacts provided at the bottom of this
email (at least to numbers 1, 2 and 3)

Australia's astounding hypocrisy - kangaroos used for tourist
promotions abroad and massacred at home!
Kangaroos are being used to promote Kangaroo Island in
London and other towns and cities in UK. You are probably
aware that the biggest land wildlife slaughter in the world
takes place in Australia - the massacre of kangaroos!
How dare the tourism authorities be so hypocritical !
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/25/2608019.htm?section\=business
Life-size kangaroo statues have been placed
in landmark locations across London...
Also please visit link:
http://www.gday-uk.co.uk/about-gdayuk
G’dayUK 2009
is a series of events positioning Australia as an innovative and
thriving economy. The aim is to encourage British companies and
consumers alike to take another look at Australia as a great
place to invest in, work, holiday, do business with and
generally get to know... The kangaroos would be
very grateful if you can help by: a) contacting
sponsors & event organisers (list below) List of other
supporters / sponsors can be found on

http://www.gday-uk.co.uk/about-gdayuk
Please note that
half of logos of the sponsors (listed on above website) carry
the image of kangaroo! b) attending some of
these events and handing out information about the truth how
Australia treats it's wildlife. While writing
you might wish to state something along the lines:
... You will not visit Australia, till you hear that the
slaughter of kangaroos has stopped ...Before racing off to
Kangaroo Island, which sounds like a fascinating place, you did
a little research into what is happening to kangaroos (the
national symbol) in Australia today... These amazing,
unique and gentle animals are cruelly hunted, their joeys are
stomped on or beaten to death, thousands of kangaroos have
recently been killed in the national capital because they were
in the way of housing and roads (although spurious 'science' was
used to say that they 'threatened' endangered species. How can a
kangaroo do more damage than a bulldozer?), they are constantly
referred to as 'pests', and they are now going to be sold to
China as meat!

How dare the tourism authorities be so hypocritical?
Australia needs to stop
'managing' and 'controlling' its native animals into extinction,
and learn how live with them and treat them with respect and
compassion before it earns the right to use them as an
advertisement ...

For more info re: kangaroos please visit:
http://tiny.cc/kanga (video)
http://www.australiansocietyforkangaroos.org
for more
links
http://www.australiansocietyforkangaroos.org/How_You_Can_Help.htm\
l

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/kangaroo-extinction.html


Please contact Phil from UK Rep for AWPC
philip.woolley@gmail.com for
any assistance with finding places, kangaroo leaflets etc.

List of contacts in order of priorities (in case you will not
have time to contact them all)
1) South Australian Tourism Commission. Bob Frood
(Chairman); Andrew McEvoy( Chief Executive)
satourism@saugov.sa.gov.au
and Public Relations Unit on
satc.pr.publications@saugov.sa.gov.au


2) G'dayUK Sophie Gunther Executive Director
T: + 44 (0) 20 7100 1674 M: + 44 7595 071 674
E: sophie@gday-uk.co.uk
Australia Centre, 5th Floor, Strand, London WC2B 4LG
3) Qantas:
http://qantas.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/qantas.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php\?p_cats=3&cat_lvl1=1
Customer Care
Qantas Airways Pty Ltd
Level 5 - Building A
203 Coward Street
Mascot NSW 2020 Australia 4) Selfridges
store in London sally.scott@selfridges.co.uk
(Marketing
Director)
5) Supporting Restaurant group:
hTtp://www.pied-a-terre.co.uk/default.asp?V_ITEM_ ID=78


6) Palladium Group, Inc. Rob Howie, tel 0781 402-1192
RHowie@thepalladiumgroup.com


Thank you for caring Teresa

UPDATES FROM VIVA!

Viva! Victory: Makro Drops Kangaroo Meat!
Success featured in today’s Independent

Last November, Viva! persuaded the cash and carry chain Booker to stop selling so-called ‘exotic meats’, and we have now done the same with Makro. This means that no major UK retailer currently sells kangaroo meat. It is just as well, kangaroos are under attack in Australia more than ever before. Since 2001, the kangaroo population has plummeted by over 50 per cent due to drought and over-hunting. The Australian government’s answer is to open up new killing fields in New South Wales. Viva! is determined to stamp out the ‘exotic meats’ trade in Britain to help protect these beautiful animals. Get involved and find out more at www.savethekangaroo.com. Find out more about the Makro victory here and read The Independent coverage here.

Plus, thank you to everyone who signed the petition against the proposed massacre of kangaroos at the Majura military base in Australia. More good news: it has been postponed until June whilst a review is carried out. However, they are still under threat. If you haven’t already, please sign the petition here.



Fashion Crimes: the Cruelty of the Fur Industry

Viva!’s The Big Cover Up campaign (www.thebigcoverup.org.uk) has now turned its attention to the fur industry. Mirroring the way that billions of animals world wide are intensively farmed for meat, millions of animals are also reared in the most appalling conditions, killed in ways that should outrage and sicken any normal individual – all for trivial items no one needs. However, despite evidence the fur trade is shrinking in the recession, the UK is still one of the largest markets in the world. Sadly, whilst fur farming itself is banned in Britain, it is not illegal to import it. Read the report here and find out how you can get involved here.



Incredible Veggie Show an Incredible Success!

Again, thousands of people packed London’s Royal Horticultural Halls for the veggie event of the year. Top speakers and cookery demos by Rose Elliot and Heather Mills provided food for the mind as well as the stomach! A big thank you to everyone who attended, as well as the Show’s sponsors: Ecotricity; Cook Vegetarian; Beanies Health Foods; The Redwood Wholefood Co; Speak Political; Bute Island Foods; Plamil and The Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation.

Incredible Veggie Roadshows

The next free regional Show is at Cheltenham Town Hall on Saturday, September 26 (10.30am-4.30pm). More information here. Please note: due to a downturn in donations during these difficult times, the Show in Carlisle (which was to be on July 18) has been cancelled, and the one in Cambridge (which was to be on November 7) will take place in Spring next year.



Spring Sale at the Viva! Shop

Now is the time to stock your cupboards with some yummy vegan nosh, expand your wardrobe with ethical t’s and brush up on your veggie culinary skills, all without breaking the bank! For a limited time only, the Viva! Shop is having a spring clear-out, with chocolate from £2, clothing from £5 and books from £5…this is the sale of the season. Remember, buying from Viva! saves animals, so what are you waiting for?



Become a School Speaker
.... and do one of the most effective things you can for the animals!
Viva! and the Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation School Speaker Training Day
Saturday, August 29, 10am-5pm, at the Charity Centre, 24 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2DP

Calling all animal advocates! We need you to get into schools and promote the veggie message! Speaking to teenagers in schools about vegetarian issues is a truly uplifting experience. This no obligation training is fun and rewarding. The day costs only £10 waged/£5 unwaged, which includes a copy of The Viva! Guide to Speaking in Schools, our teen video Food for Life, leaflets and vegan refreshments. Find out more here.



Viva! Proudly Presents: Jeffrey Masson Launching His New Book The Face on Your Plate: The Truth About Food
Thursday 18th Jun, 7pm (early arrival is advised as places are limited)
Cabot Room, The Hawthorns, Woodland Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1UQ


The best-selling author of When Elephants Weep and Dogs Never Lie About Love explores our relationship with the animals we call food. In this uplifting and fascinating talk, Jeffrey Masson shows how what we eat affects our moral selves, our health and our planet. His new book raises questions to make us conscious of the decisions behind every bite we take: what effect does eating animals have on our land, waters, even global warming? The Face on Your Plate brings New Zealand based Masson's intellectual, psychological and emotional expertise built up over 20 years into this pivotal book of the food revolution. With an introduction by Juliet Gellatley, Viva!’s founder and director.

The VVF and Viva! Present Dr. Greger’s Latest in Nutrition
Book your ticket now to see world vegan nutrition expert in London
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Edmond J Safra Lecture Theatre, Strand Building, Strand Campus, Kings College, London, WC2R 2LS (1.15pm-5pm)
Tickets only £5 (incl. P&P)


Learn first hand how going vegan is the most effective thing anyone can do to prevent, treat and even reverse chronic disease – from one of the world’s premier clinical nutritionists. The VVF present a fascinating afternoon with Dr Michael Greger, featuring the latest in cutting-edge health research and how giving up meat and dairy products can really transform your life! This is bound to sell out quickly – so, for more information and to book your tickets visit the VVF website now! With an introduction by Juliet Gellatley, Viva!’s founder and director.


Become a Viva! Investigator

Do you know of a factory farm near you? Would you be interested in exposing animal abuse on your door step? Viva! is compiling a database of intensive farming across the UK and we need your help. Send us information, or contact us about how you can get involved, by emailing investigations@viva.org.uk.


Give a Hen a Home!
Take part in large hen rescue

Ten thousand hens, from a battery farm in Norfolk which is closing down, face slaughter, but have a chance to be re-homed. If you can help, or know someone who could, please contact littlehenrescue@googlemail.com.



Viva! Competition with Ecoture

Ecoture is an eco-friendly company owned and run by a Vegan couple. They offer Eco-friendly, Ethical Products at great prices. If you attended the Incredible Veggie Show this year you may have seen the couple there! Since the event they have organised a competition, which is exclusively for Viva! members. WIN any item of your choice from their EcoShop! Visit the website: www.ecoture.co.uk and click 'Viva!' to enter.


Business Friends

Redwood Wholefoods www.redwoodfoods.co.uk
Once again we are delighted to be the highest rated ethical supplier of vegan foods. For details of Redwood’s delicious award winning products call us on 01536 400557 or visit us at www.redwoodfoods.co.uk

The Lucy Rose Organic Beauty Boutique www.lucyrose.biz
The Lucy Rose Organic Beauty Boutique boasts an extensive hand-picked selection of the finest organic and natural beauty brands. You will find chemical-free alternatives for effective sun care, baby care, makeup, skin and anti-ageing – available with free P&P within the UK.

Other Links and Events

May
Saturday May 30 – May 31
Bristol Vegan Fayre
Featuring live music including Horace Andy & Dub Asante, Macka B and The King Blues, stalls, talks and cookery demos. Meet the Viva! and VVF team there! For details www.bristolveganfayre.co.uk


For more upcoming events see our online diary here.



Your Viva!City

This email alert reaches thousands of people but we’d like your help to make it even better. At the moment we have just one list of addresses which means that we have to send the same email to everyone. From time to time we’d like to let people know about things happening in their area or get in contact with our younger supporters but we don’t want to fill everyone else’s mailboxes with information that isn’t relevant to them. What we’d like to do is compile email lists separated into different regions so that if we do have something we’d like to tell people in Scotland or Yorkshire about, we can send them the information without bothering anyone else.

The simplest way for us to identify which area you live in is to know your postcode and so we’d be grateful if you could take a minute to fill in our online questionnaire. We’d also really like to know your age if you’re under 18 – you can fill in your date of birth on the form. You won’t receive any postal mailings (unless you want them and fill in your other details) and the information will be used only to sort your email addresses. You don’t even have to give us your name if you don’t want to.

As ever, if you would like any more information about any of our campaigns, check out our website www.viva.org.uk or get in touch with us directly – contact details at the top of this email. Please don’t click “reply”, however – your email won’t be seen at that address.

Thanks again for all your support.
http://www.viva.org.uk

EU MIGHT BAN KANGAROO EXPORTS!

A skewered, sauteed or sizzling Skippy is under threat in Europe afterthe appearance of a report critical of hygiene practices in the kangaroo meat industry.
The European Union commissioned the report by Animal Liberation onhealth standards, welfare issues and the sustainability of kangarooharvesting.
Russia imposed a ban on kangaroo meat from three Australian processingplants last year after it found antibiotics in carcasses.
NSW Animal Liberation director Mark Pearson said the report for theEU, A Shot In The Dark, revealed that E. coli and salmonella bacteriahad been found in some kangaroo carcasses intended for humanconsumption.
It was impossible to regulate hygienic practices for the 3 to 5million kangaroos harvested each year, Mr Pearson said on Friday.
"Any export abattoir must have extremely high standards of hygienewhere animals are brought in, slaughtered and processed," he said.
--full story:http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/eu-might-ban-kangaroo-exports-20090515-b5t3.html

CHINA-ACTIVISTS SEEKING TO PROTECT KANGAROOS!

BEIJING, May 15 (UPI) -- An animal rights activist says his visit toChina Friday is oriented toward preventing the consumption ofkangaroos there.
Animal Liberation Executive Director Mark Pearson said he wouldattempt to convince Chinese residents during his visit that theconsumption of kangaroo meat promotes cruel and unhygienic hunting andstorage of the animals, The Sydney (Australia) Morning Herald said inits Saturday edition.
Pearson's visit to China comes in the wake of Australian Minister forAgriculture Tony Burke's visit to the Asian country. Burke used histime in China to promote the consumption of kangaroo meat, saying suchfoods are good for consumers.
--full story:http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/05/15/Activist-seeking-to-protect-kangaroos/UPI-26401242406459/
SEE ALSO:Animal Rights Groups' Attempting to Co-opt Religion

Australia's Kangaroo Massacre!Action Alert

Shot In The Dark - Australia's Kangaroo Massacre

LT PHOTO: Just outside the area where they are to be killed, remaining kangaroos wait, trapped and exhausted... http://www.kangaroolives.com/RT: Marsupials found in Australian Capital Territory, (c) Ray Drew 2007, raydrew@raydrew. net, http://www.kangaroolives.com/kangaroos.htm ============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ====EMAIL BLOCKS: Sample letter follows. Full contact info at end of alert.============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ====Hey, this is one heck of a BIG contact list! Still, its size doesn't compare to the millions of kangaroos slaughtered annually in Australia. Sure, clicking on a petition is easier... But we ask you to take a bit more time to copy each email block into a TO: or BCC: line of your email -- to personally send comments. The impact is so much BIGGER. AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL OFFICIALSPeter.Garrett. MP@aph.gov. au, ruth.dewsbury@ environment. gov.au, ciu@environment. gov.au, kerry.smith@ deh.gov.au, peter.cochrane@ environment. gov.au, bruce.leaver@ environment. gov.au, info@environment. nsw.gov.au, kangaroo.management @environment. nsw.gov.au, kiaa@bigpond. net.au, public.affairsus@ dfat.gov. auAUSTRALIAN FEDERAL OFFICIALS -- BY TERRITORYmacdonald.office@ macdonald. minister. nsw.gov.au, David.Llewellyn@ dpiw.tas. gov.au, wildlife.enq@ dpiw.tas. gov.au, alison.anderson@ nt.gov.au, environment@ act.gov.au, terry.wall@epa. qld.gov.auNEW SOUTH WALESHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES > NEW SOUTH WALESTony.Abbott. MP@aph.gov. au, A.Albanese.MP@ aph.gov.au, Bob.Baldwin. MP@aph.gov. au, Sharon.Bird. MP@aph.gov. au, Bronwyn.Bishop. MP@aph.gov. au, Chris.Bowen. MP@aph.gov. au, David.Bradbury. MP@aph.gov. au, Tony.Burke.MP@ aph.gov.au, Jason.Clare. MP@aph.gov. au, John.Cobb.MP@ aph.gov.au, Greg.Combet. MP@aph.gov. au, Mark.Coulton. MP@aph.gov. au, Bob.Debus.MP@ aph.gov.au, Justine.Elliot. MP@aph.gov. au, Pat.Farmer.MP@ aph.gov.au, Laurie.Ferguson. MP@aph.gov. au, J.Fitzgibbon. MP@aph.gov. au, Joanna.Gash. MP@aph.gov. au, Jennie.George. MP@aph.gov. au, Sharon.Grierson. MP@aph.gov. au, Jill.Hall.MP@ aph.gov.au, Luke.Hartsuyker. MP@aph.gov. au, Alex.Hawke.MP@ aph.gov.au, Chris.Hayes. MP@aph.gov. au, J.Hockey.MP@ aph.gov.au, Kay.Hull.MP@ aph.gov.au, Julia.Irwin. MP@aph.gov. au, Mike.Kelly.MP@ aph.gov.au, Sussan.Ley.MP@ aph.gov.au, Louise.Markus. MP@aph.gov. au, R.McClelland. MP@aph.gov. au, Maxine.McKew. MP@aph.gov. au, D.Melham.MP@ aph.gov.au, scott.morrison. mp@aph.gov. au, John.Murphy. MP@aph.gov. au, Belinda.Neal. MP@aph.gov. au, B.Nelson.MP@ aph.gov.au, Robert.OakeshottMP@ aph.gov.au, Julie.Owens. MP@aph.gov. au, Tanya.Plibersek. MP@aph.gov. au, Rogerpricemp@ aph.gov.au, philip.ruddock. MP@aph.gov. au, Janelle.Saffin. MP@aph.gov. au, Alby.Schultz. MP@aph.gov. au, Craig.Thomson. MP@aph.gov. au, Malcolm.Turnbull. MP@aph.gov. au, Danna.Vale.MP@ aph.gov.au, Tony.Windsor. MP@aph.gov. au SENATORS > NEW SOUTH WALESsenator.arbib@ aph.gov.au, senator.cameron@ aph.gov.au, senator.coonan@ aph.gov.au, senator.faulkner@ aph.gov.au, senator.fierravanti -wells@aph. gov.au, senator.forshaw@ aph.gov.au, senator.heffernan@ aph.gov.au, senator.hutchins@ aph.gov.au, senator.nash@ aph.gov.au, senator.payne@ aph.gov.au, senator.stephens@ aph.gov.au, senator.williams@ aph.gov.au TASMANIAHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES > TASMANIAD.Adams.MP@aph. gov.au, Jodie.Campbell. MP@aph.gov. au, Julie.Collins. MP@aph.gov. au, Duncan.Kerr. MP@aph.gov. au, Sid.Sidebottom. MP@aph.gov. au SENATORS > TASMANIAsenator.abetz@ aph.gov.au, senator.barnett@ aph.gov.au, senator.bilyk@ aph.gov.au, senator.carol. brown@aph. gov.au, senator.bushby@ aph.gov.au, senator.colbeck@ aph.gov.au, senator.milne@ aph.gov.au, senator.obrien@ aph.gov.au, senator.parry@ aph.gov.au, senator.polley@ aph.gov.au, senator.sherry@ aph.gov.au NORTHERN TERRITORYHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES > NORTHERN TERRITORYDamian.Hale. MP@aph.gov. au, Warren.Snowdon. MP@aph.gov. au SENATORS > NORTHERN TERRITORYsenator.crossin@ aph.gov.au, senator.scullion@ aph.gov.au AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORYHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES > AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORYAnnette.Ellis. MP@aph.gov. au, Bob.McMullan. MP@aph.gov. auSENATORS > AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORYsenator.humphries@ aph.gov.au, senator.lundy@ aph.gov.au QUEENSLANDHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES > QUEENSLANDArch.Bevis.MP@ aph.gov.au, James.Bidgood. MP@aph.gov. au, Steven.Ciobo. MP@aph.gov. au, Yvette.D'Ath. MP@aph.gov. au, Peter.Dutton. MP@aph.gov. au, Craig.Emerson. MP@aph.gov. au, Michael.Johnson. MP@aph.gov. au, Bob.Katter.MP@ aph.gov.au, Andrew.Laming. MP@aph.gov. au, Peter.Lindsay. MP@aph.gov. au, Kirsten.Livermore. MP@aph.gov. au, Ian.Macfarlane. MP@aph.gov. au, Margaret.May. MP@aph.gov. au, Shayne.Neumann. MP@aph.gov. au, P.Neville.MP@ aph.gov.au, Graham.Perrett. MP@aph.gov. au, Brett.Raguse. MP@aph.gov. au, Bonner.eo@aph. gov.au, Bernie.Ripoll. MP@aph.gov. au, Stuart.Robert. MP@aph.gov. au, Bruce.Scott. MP@aph.gov. au, Peter.Slipper. MP@aph.gov. au, Alex.Somlyay. MP@aph.gov. au, Jon.Sullivan. MP@aph.gov. au, Wayne.Swan.MP@ aph.gov.au, Chris.Trevor. MP@aph.gov. au, W.Truss.MP@aph. gov.au, Jim.Turnour. MP@aph.gov. auSENATORS > QUEENSLANDsenator.boswell@ aph.gov.au, senator.sue. boyce@aph. gov.au, senator.brandis@ aph.gov.au, senator.furner@ aph.gov.au, senator.hogg@ aph.gov.au, senator.joyce@ aph.gov.au, senator.ludwig@ aph.gov.au, senator.ian. macdonald@ aph.gov.au, senator.mason@ aph.gov.au, senator.mclucas@ aph.gov.au, senator.moore@ aph.gov.au, senator.trood@ aph.gov.au WESTERN AUSTRALIAHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES > WESTERN AUSTRALIAJulie.Bishop. MP@aph.gov. au, Gary.Gray.MP@ aph.gov.au, Barry.Haase. MP@aph.gov. au, Steve.Irons. MP@aph.gov. au, Sharryn.Jackson. MP@aph.gov. au, Dennis.Jensen. MP@aph.gov. au, Michael.Keenan. MP@aph.gov. au, Nola.Marino. MP@aph.gov. au, J.Moylan.MP@ aph.gov.au, Mparke.MP@aph. gov.au, Don.Randall. MP@aph.gov. au, Luke.Simpkins. MP@aph.gov. au, Stephen.Smith. MP@aph.gov. au, W.Tuckey.MP@ aph.gov.au, Mal.Washer.MP@ aph.gov.auSENATORS> WESTERN AUSTRALIAsenator.adams@ aph.gov.au, senator.back@ aph.gov.au, senator.bishop@ aph.gov.au, senator.cash@ aph.gov.au, senator.cormann@ aph.gov.au, senator.eggleston@ aph.gov.au, senator.evans@ aph.gov.au, senator.johnston@ aph.gov.au, senator.ludlam@ aph.gov.au, senator.pratt@ aph.gov.au, senator.siewert@ aph.gov.au, senator.sterle@ aph.gov.au SOUTH AUSTRALIAHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES > SOUTH AUSTRALIAMark.Butler. MP@aph.gov. au, Nick.Champion. MP@aph.gov. au, Kate.Ellis.MP@ aph.gov.au, Steve.Georganas. MP@aph.gov. au, C.Pyne.MP@aph. gov.au, Rowan.Ramsey. MP@aph.gov. au, Amanda.Rishworth. MP@aph.gov. au, P.Secker@aph. gov.au, Andrew.Southcott. MP@aph.gov. au, Tony.Zappia. MP@aph.gov. au, Jamie.Briggs. MP@aph.gov. au SENATORS > SOUTH AUSTRALIAsenator.bernardi@ aph.gov.au, senator.birmingham@ aph.gov.au, senator.farrell@ aph.gov.au, senator.ferguson@ aph.gov.au, senator.fisher@ aph.gov.au, senator.hanson- young@aph. gov.au, senator.hurley@ aph.gov.au, senator.mcewen@ aph.gov.au, senator.minchin@ aph.gov.au, senator.wong@ aph.gov.au, senator.wortley@ aph.gov.au, senator.xenophon@ aph.gov.au VICTORIAHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES > VICTORIAKevin.Andrews. MP@aph.gov. au, Fran.Bailey. MP@aph.gov. au, B.Billson.MP@ aph.gov.au, Russell.Broadbent. MP@aph.gov. au, Anna.Burke.MP@ aph.gov.au, Anthony.Byrne. MP@aph.gov. au, higgins@aph. gov.au, S.Crean.MP@aph. gov.au, Michael.Danby. MP@aph.gov. au, Mark.Dreyfus. MP@aph.gov. au, Martin.Ferguson. MP@aph.gov. au, J.Forrest.MP@ aph.gov.au, P.Georgiou.MP@ aph.gov.au, Steve.Gibbons. MP@aph.gov. au, Julia.Gillard. MP@aph.gov. au, Alan.Griffin. MP@aph.gov. au, David.Hawker. MP@aph.gov. au, Greg.Hunt.MP@ aph.gov.au, Harry.Jenkins. MP@aph.gov. au, Catherine.King. MP@aph.gov. au, JMacklin.MP@ aph.gov.au, Richard.Marles. MP@aph.gov. au, Darren.Chester. MP@aph.gov. au, Sophie.Mirabella. MP@aph.gov. au, Brendan.O'Connor. MP@aph.gov. au, Chris.Pearce. MP@aph.gov. au, Andrew.Robb. MP@aph.gov. au, Nicola.Roxon. MP@aph.gov. au, Bill.Shorten. MP@aph.gov. au, Tony.Smith.MP@ aph.gov.au, S.Stone.MP@aph. gov.au, Mike.Symon.MP@ aph.gov.au, Lindsay.Tanner. MP@aph.gov. au, Kelvin.Thomson. MP@aph.gov. au, Maria.Vamvakinou. MP@aph.gov. au, Jason.Wood.MP@ aph.gov.au SENATORS > VICTORIAsenator.carr@ aph.gov.au, senator.collins@ aph.gov.au, senator.conroy@ aph.gov.au, senator.feeney@ aph.gov.au, senator.fielding@ aph.gov.au, senator.fifield@ aph.gov.au, senator.kroger@ aph.gov.au, senator.marshall@ aph.gov.au, senator.mcgauran@ aph.gov.au, senator.ronaldson@ aph.gov.au, senator.ryan@ aph.gov.au, senator.troeth@ aph.gov.au OFFICIALS WITH WEB FORMS:The Hon Kevin Rudd MP, Prime Minister:http://www.pm.gov.au/contact/index.cfmThe Hon. Peter Garrett, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/memfeedback.asp?id=HV4AUSTRALIAN EMBASSIES IN COUNTRIES OTHER THAN THE USA: http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK*** During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses. Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ====GET A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle. orgEasily modify letter. Copy/paste it into an email or print letter to fax or mail. ============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ====Honorable Officials of Australia:Australia's assault on its national icon is disgraceful. In May 2009, the Department of Defense began to gun down 7,000 kangaroos on its vast Majura military base in Canberra, ACT. By 5/14/09, with 3500 already dead, a court-issued injunction temporarily stopped the massacre.Wildlife culls are permitted to take up to 10,000 kangaroos per night. Where is the Australian government's moral compass? Please stop authorized culls and commercial kills. I urge officials to respect and accommodate indigenous wildlife with more national parks, nature reserves, and protected land corridors for animals to get there.In Australia, the internationally beloved kangaroo has become an article of trade -- to buy and sell by way of violent death. A 4/23/09 Daily Telegraph report says "tens of thousands of joeys will be decapitated, shot or clubbed to death" under government orders to open commercial shoots across a generous swath of New South Wales.The National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies advises that babies found in a slain mother's pouch be decapitated with a sharp blade; clubbed with a metal pipe; or slammed against a firm object. Older joeys are bludgeoned or shot at point blank range.Hunters spotlight kangaroos in the outback at night. They aim for their brains, but often miss and leave kangaroos with gaping head and mouth wounds. Along with nearly four million kangaroos commercially killed each year, hundreds of thousands of joeys die hideously.I respectfully ask the government to phase out its consumptive use of kangaroos and consider eco-tourism instead. Plainly stated, Australia's largest known slaughter of land wildlife is sickening.Thank you,============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ====COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION + NAMES/TITLES============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ====AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALSThe Hon Kevin Rudd MP, Prime MinisterPO Box 6022; House of RepresentativesParliament House; Canberra ACT 2600ph: (02) 6277 7700; fax: (02) 6273 4100web form: http://www.pm.gov.au/contact/index.cfmThe Hon. Peter Garrett AM MPMinister for the Environment, Heritage and the ArtsPO Box 6022, Parliament House; Canberra ACT 2600ph: 02-6277-7640; fax: 02-6273-6101; email: Peter.Garrett. MP@aph.gov. auweb form: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/memfeedback.asp?id=HV4Ruth Dewsbury, Public Affairs: ruth.dewsbury@ environment. gov.au, ciu@environment. gov.auKerry Smith, Assistant Secretary, Wildlife DivisionDepartment of Environment, Water, Heritage and the ArtsGPO Box 787; Canberra ACT 2601, Australiaph: +61 02-6274 1224; fax: +61 02-6274 1600email: kerry.smith@ deh.gov.auPeter Cochrane, Director of National ParksDepartment of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts GPO Box 787; Canberra ACT 2601ph: 02-6274 2221; fax 02-6274 2349; email: peter.cochrane@ environment. gov.auBruce Leaver, First Assistant Secretary: bruce.leaver@ environment. gov.au Department of Environment and Climate Change NSWPO Box A290; Sydney South NSW 1232, Australiaph: 02-9995-5000; fax: 02-9995 5999; email: info@environment. nsw.gov.auNSW National Parks And Wildlife Services / NPWS Kangaroo Management UnitPO Box 2111; Dubbo NSW 2830fax: 02-6884-8675; email: kangaroo.management @environment. nsw.gov.auMORE AUSTRALIAN OFFICIALS: http://www.directory.gov.au/INCLUDES: Government Departments and Agencies; Commonwealth Parliament; Governor General; Courts and JudgesINDUSTRYKangaroo Industry Association of AustraliaPO Box 447; Woden ACT, AUSTRALIA 2606ph: (03) 6326 8639; fax: (03) 6326 2790; email: kiaa@bigpond. net.auREPRESENTATION ABROAD Australian Embassy, United States of AmericaMr. Dennis J. Richardson AO, Ambassador to United States of America1601 Massachusetts Avenue; Washington DC NW 20036-2273ph: +1-202-797-3000; fax: +1-202-797-3331; public.affairsus@ dfat.gov. auFIND AUSTRALIAN EMBASSIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES: http://www.dfat.gov.au/missionsAUSTRALIAN FEDERAL OFFICIALS -- BY TERRITORYNEW SOUTH WALESThe Hon. Ian MacdonaldLevel 33 Governor Macquarie Tower1 Farrer Place; Sydney NSW 2000ph: (02) 9228 3344; fax: (02) 9228 3452email: macdonald.office@ macdonald. minister. nsw.gov.auTASMANIA TERRITORYThe Honorable David Llewellyn, Minister for Primary Industries and WaterDepartment of Primary Industries and WaterGPO Box 44 Hobart; Tasmania, Australia 7001ph: 6233 6454; fax: 6233 2272; email: David.Llewellyn@ dpiw.tas. gov.auWildlife Management: wildlife.enq@ dpiw.tas. gov.auNORTHERN TERRITORYThe Honorable Alison Anderson, Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage; Minister for Parks and WildlifeGPO Box 3146; Darwin NT 0801ph: +61 (08) 8901 4132; fax: +61 (08) 8901 4134email: alison.anderson@ nt.gov.auAUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORYDavid Papps, Chief Executive; Penny Farnsworth, Executive Director Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and WaterGPO Box 158; Canberra City ACT 2601ph: 13 22 81; fax: (02) 6207 6084; email: environment@ act.gov.auQUEENSLANDDepartment of Environment and Resource ManagementMr John Bradley, Director-GeneralGPO Box 24254; Brisbane, QLD, 4001Scott Spencer, Associate Director-General: scott.spencer@ nrw.qld.gov. auTerry Wall Associate Director-General: terry.wall@epa. qld.gov.auWESTERN AUSTRALIA Department of Environment and Conservation The Atrium - Director General and Environmental Services Divisions 168 St Georges Terrace PERTH; Locked Bag 104; Bentley Delivery Centre 6983 ph: (08) 6467 5000; fax: (08) 6467 5572 ============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ====SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ====Terri Kelley, Kinship Circle, Investigative Researchpawsitivedirections @yahoo.com

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KANGAROOShttp://www.kangaroolives.com/

Stop Kangaroo Killinghttp://www.stopkang%20arookilling.%20org/

Kangaroo Shootinghttp://www.animalsa%20ustralia.%20org/issues/%20kangaroo_%20shooting.%20php

Joeys being killed after NSW opened up to commercial kangaroo shootinghttp://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25373251-1242,00.html

AU-ROO CULL SUSPENDED!

(AU) Roo cull suspended
A cull of kangaroos on Defence land in Canberra has been halted by theACT Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Tribunal president Linda Crebbin has ordered a stay to the cull ofkangaroos at the Majura site until the issue can be considered by thetribunal's full panel.
--full story
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/14/2570447.htm

ANOTHER MASSIVE SLAUGHTER OF KANGAROOS PLANNED IN AUSTRALIA!TAKE ACTION NOW!

Yet another massive slaughter of kangaroos planned in ACT!
LETTERS & COMMENTS PLEASE !!"Cull roos 'now' to save rare grassland" -
Canberra Times 6 Mar 09
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/cull-roos-now-to-save-rare-grassland/1451970.aspx You can make comments in place provided at the end of above article or /and write letters to the Editor: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.auThe Canberra Times9 Pirie Street; Fyshwick, ACT 2609tel 02-6280 2122
Some brainstorming on the subject by various campaigners to help and inspire you:

* "Skilton's article alleges that kangaroo numbers have ballooned at another Defence site in Canberra, threatening the survival of several endangered and vulnerable species. Kangaroos have evolved in harmony with Australia's native ecology. They help to germinate native grasses and regenerate stock-grazed or otherwise damaged land. They do not destroy plant roots when they feed and provide valuable soil fertiliser with their waste. Now especially, with climate change, our land needs all the kangaroos it can get. That kangaroos threaten native vegetation and threatened species is preposterous! That is the domain of urbanisation, human use of the land, stock grazing and agriculture.

* "As a mother, I find the immense suffering of the mothers and joeys during massacres (culls are supposed to help suffering animals, not kill healthy ones) particularly hard to bear.
Their bonds are just like ours, and to see them calling for each other, with the little ones being trampled in the panic, just broke my heart. Some of the joeys were left without their mums and without food and water for days. Eventually they just gave up and allowed themselves to be pushed into the killing pens. I hope that they are with their mums in kangaroo heaven, but we have to stop doing this to sentient beings and regain our humanity. The males were also trying to protect the abandoned joeys and lead them away to safety. What is wrong with human males (and tragically some females) that they were happy to be cowards, sadists and bullies while the animals were setting an example of dignified, caring behaviour?

* "I would like to see this report and the peer-reviewed scientific evidence used to 'suggest' that the population has overgrazed the Majura Training Area to such an extent that up to 5000 eastern grey kangaroos have starved to death. The last count by Defence in November 2008 indicated that the kangaroo population was supposedly more than 9000. In November 2007, the population was more than 6000. How does Defence conclude that 5000 kangaroos starved to death in one season? Kangaroos move from area to area and are not confined. Neighbouring properties with ample grass have not been inundated with kangaroos looking for food. Kangaroos adapt their breeding to prevailing environmental conditions, which is yet another way in which they are perfectly attuned to the harsh Australian environment."

* *In 2008, Defence contracted the culling of 514 kangaroos at its PCB, asbestos and heavy metal-contaminated Belconnen Naval Transmission Station site, some of which is now going to be used for housing. Very good for grasslands and endangered species! What is their agenda this time for wanting to get rid of the animals? Yes, February to July is the ACT's culling season and the ACT Government can now issue licences. The timing of the allegation that Majura is overrun with kangaroos that are destroying endangered/vulnerable species is very convenient. The reality is that people are 'overabundant' (one of the ecologists' favourite words) and kangaroos are the vulnerable species here!*

* "Sounds like a beat-up and a cynical attempt to manipulate public opinion. The fanatics from the Limestone Plains Group would love another cull, anywhere, any time, as the kangas only inhabit grasslands. Of course, Majura is just at the rear of the airport (no one from the Limestone Group lying in front of the bulldozers when they were extending that and building the new shopping complex). In this case, the kangas can get over the boundary fences and they are not trapped as far as I know. But a cull in this case could be carried out away from public view." Where is the democracy in that. Don't we, as taxpayers and citizens, have as much right to protect the kangaroos as the cowardly sadists have to be causing suffering and death? Why does the 'law' protect them and punish us?

* "I haven't noticed Maxine Cooper and her grassy friends suggesting shooting, or even lying in front of, the bulldozers that are still smashing endangered grassland right next to Majura. They are much better at it than kangaroos could ever be, but, as usual, the defenceless get the blame. A spot of inconsistency and cynical manipulation of public opinion here?"

* "In the article 5000 roos dead amid Defence 'inaction', by Nyssa Skilton (28/02/2009), it is asserted that thousands of kangaroos are starving/have starved on the Majura Firing Range. I live one property away from the range, and have friends with common boundaries with it. The fences between us are standard farm height, so why aren't we knee-deep in kangaroos desperately looking for food? We are all quite happy to share our grass with them.
I challenge Defence to have the courage and honour to allow independent wildlife veterinarians and carers, who unlike some so-called 'experts' are able to tell a starving kangaroo from an aardvark, to inspect the site and the animals to ascertain what is really happening. Otherwise, the whole thing looks remarkably like another BNTS-style cover-up of a serious contamination issue, with potential adverse impacts on human health.
The grasslands are actually threatened by ongoing development around the airport and on the AFP site, by drought, by the horses and other stock grazing nearby, and by the herbicides liberally sprayed on anything that cannot escape. Why aren't the Limestone Plains Group and their grassy friends complaining about that?
We have lost millions of native animals and hundreds of thousands of hectares of habitat in the Victorian bush fires and Queensland floods. Please Defence, give the non-rednecks a chance, just for a change, and help to restore my dwindling faith in this ‘democracy’. "

* "Not surprisingly, I am not comfortable with assumptions made that in fact there are large numbers of kangaroos starving here and the direct reference to killing.
I am also very aware of falling for these starvation arguments as they have always been used by authorities to justify a kill of all kangaroos, not just starving ones.
Mass starvation is a natural predator of kangas, and a loss of 50% is not uncommon in severe drought, but these govts have used this rationale to kill large numbers of kangaroos, arguing that reducing the grazing pressure will allow more to survive. My question has always been to these 'authorities' who use the starvation argument:
Firstly why would you kill healthy animals that have survived the drought when these are the ones who are meant to survive and pass on their superior genes to the next generation? And as we all know there is no discretion of healthy and starving animals in these culls. They just kill all of them, healthy or not.
Secondly, if it is proven that there is mass starvation, which i must say is never proven by these govts, why wouldnt they just do weekly or regular monitoring in these autumn periods, which are renowned for being low on feed, and then only euthanase the individuals that are clearly suffering from significant starvation?"

* "Drought is a natural predator of kangaroos, and to support a slaughter of large numbers of healthy kangaroos/wallabies as they did at Maria Island and Belconnen, is not a solution. It is only an excuse to kill kangaroos. If they are that worried about their welfare, why don't they invest the resources in a vet and wildlife expert to do regular monitoring and only euthanase those that are suffering, not those that have superior genes that have survived the longest drought in a century. Also, allowing/encouraging corridors onto the adjoining land that has plenty of food on it may also require a committed approach including providing water and enticement and open corridors so that they learn to trust these landholders."

* "I cannot support this God-like approach where we think we know better than the kangaroos about what they need. They know what they are doing, and just need to be supported in their struggle to survive the ongoing threat of climate change, deadly farmers and loss of habitat. This may involve putting those who are clearly suffering out of their misery and putting in the time and effort to give them corridors.
It is not that hard and we must not fall into the same old argument of starvation, that is as old as the hills, as a justification for killing healthy highly genetically-superior kangaroos."
* The extract from Defence Media Release 30/03/2007: "The Department of Defence today announced plans to extend the Majura Training Area (MTA) in the Majura Valley, ACT.
The proposed extension will provide additional land for Defence training purposes and will occur over the next 12 months. The area to be included will be used for “non-live firing” operations only.
The MTA, which lies to the north and east of the Canberra Airport, is an essential training facility used intensively by the Australian Defence Force, particularly the Australian Defence Force Academy and Royal Military College cadets.
The proposed extension to the south will incorporate Defence land that previously provided a buffer to the former RAAF Base Fairbairn. Defence will invest over $3 million in improvements and enhanced training capabilities at the MTA over the next 12-18 months.
Use of the training area has increased significantly over the past five years at the same time as a decline in the availability of non-Defence training areas.
This has led to range congestion, pressure on course scheduling ......" (underlined by myself) So what about the mouthless moth and endangered grasses?
Also please sign the petition calling for a moratorium on commercial and non-commercial kangaroo killing.

Kangaroos are being killed in areas where they are quasi extinct.

Learn more at http://www.stopkangarookilling.org
PETITION:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/kangaroo-extinction.html
Thank you for acting to prevent this massive slaughter of innocent sentient