NEWS RELEASE
20 October 2005
ANIMALS ASIA FOUNDATION APPLAUDS MEPS SUPPORT TO END CRUEL AND UNNECESSARY BEAR BILE FARMING IN CHINA
Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) welcomes important written declaration on “Rising international concern over the farming of bear bile in China” by Members of the European Parliament David Martin, Paulo Casaca, Peter Skinner, Terence Wynn and Robert Evans.
A declaration calling for the Chinese government to end bear farming was launched at a press conference convened by Paulo Casaca, President of the influential European Parliament Animal Welfare Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals on the 13 October 2005.
Intergroup Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Jean Lambert, Neil Parrish, Peter Skinner and Terence Wynn also spoke to back the end of bear bile farming by the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and urged the Chinese government to act on the written declaration.
The Declaration calls on the Chinese Government to take a clear stance on bear farming and initiate a countrywide ban on breeding bears on farms. It also calls for a clear time-limit for the end of bear farming and requests the Chinese Government liaise with the AAF in accelerating the closure of all bear farms through programmes benefiting bears currently held captive and farmers reliant on the industry.
Known as ‘Moon’ Bears for the beautiful golden crescent across their chests, these Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed endangered bears are subjected to a lifetime of torture and misery. The Bears are ‘milked’ for their bile using horrific methods of bile extraction that cause severe mental and physical pain.
The bile is used in Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM); however, there are over fifty herbal and synthetic products available that are cheaper and equally efficacious.
Jill Robinson MBE, Founder and CEO of the Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) was invited to the conference to speak about the bear bile farming industry. She applauded the MEPs encouragement for the Chinese Government to work more intensely with Animals Asia in ending bear farming.
Ms. Robinson added that “The support of the MEPs clearly demonstrates the strong and widely held opposition to the cruel and unnecessary practice.”
AAF calls on MEPs, of all parties, to sign this written declaration by the 26 December 2005. If over half the MEPs sign the declaration it will be formally adopted by the European Parliament. Such an act will be testament to the overwhelming support of citizens throughout the European Union, who will be watching China with increasing interest as the Olympics approach.
AAF, as British charity, is also calling on the UK, as the current European Union Presidency holders, to put forward concrete proposals to the Chinese Government outlining European Union support and co-operation with the Chinese government to end of bear bile farming.
Jill Robinson stated “The UK Government now has the opportunity to change the lives of thousands of animals; this issue cannot be delayed any longer. Mr. Blair must act now to support the Chinese Government in their efforts.”
- ENDS -
Notes to Editors
Written Declaration on “Rising international concern over the farming of bear bile in China” by David Martin, Paulo Casaca, Peter Skinner, Terence Wynn and Robert Evans can be read at
www.europarl.eu.int/activities/expert/writtenDecl.do?language =
Contacts
For further information, high res still images of the conferences or broadcast quality footage of a bear rescue contact Fiona Osler 44 (0)208 731 9040, mobile 44 07734079757 fosler@animalsasia.org
Fiona Osler
UK PR and Marketing
Animals Asia Foundation
Direct Line/Fax + 44 (0)208 731 9040
Mobile + 44 07734079757
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