Champion NZ Body Builder is a Strict Vegan

Aug 262009
 

For all those folk out there who like to refer to vegans and vegetarians as weak and unable to compete in physical events, etc, the attached photo and link will crush the theory.

Dusan Dudas - Taupo 2009
Mr. Dusan Dudas is a strict vegan (mainly raw) and he won his category in the South Pacific Natural Bodybuilding Champs in Taupo last weekend for people over 50 years. He refers to this as an upcoming event in the blog article.

He doesn’t touch tea, coffee or alcohol either.

http://articlesofhealth.blogspot.com/2009/02/build-blood-build-muscle.html

Minister a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?

Aug 202009
 

Startling contradictions in statements made by Minister of Agriculture, David Carter, on the Sunday programme earlier tonight regarding the resumption of live sheep exports, has led animal advocates to question whether the minister is a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing.’

The programme screened disturbing footage of suffering and dying sheep in the Middle East en route to slaughter, and questioned whether New Zealand will resume this trade after a six-year moratorium. National animal advocacy organisation SAFE says that the minister’s integrity must be questioned after giving such mixed messages.

“Agriculture minister David Carter appears to be hedging his bets by publicly making assurances that the trade will not resume under his watch, while also giving live sheep exporters the impression that they will be able to re-start their trade in the near future,” says SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek.

“The minister needs to quit acting like a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” says Mr Kriek. “His assurances that sheep will only be exported if high animal welfare standards are met are disingenuous, as no standards can prevent widespread animal suffering. These arduous voyages through some of the harshest climatic conditions in the world cause hundreds of sheep to die during every shipment, predominantly from starvation.”

SAFE will seek a written assurance from the minister to back up his statements that he will not allow the live export trade to resume. SAFE will also ask the minister to amend the Customs Exports Prohibition (Livestock for Slaughter) Order by introducing a permanent ban on the exportation of live animals for slaughter.

Protest Action
A ‘wolf’ in sheep’s clothing will join SAFE protestors tomorrow, as part of a demonstration against the live export trade outside agriculture minister David Carter’s office. The colourful demonstration will begin at 12.45pm on the corner of Humphrey’s Drive and Ferry Road.

For more information contact SAFE campaign director, Hans Kriek: 027 446 2711.

Visit SAFE’s campaign page for more information.

Campaign to Ban Cat & Dog Fur Imports

Aug 032009
 

What You Can Do

International research has found that millions of cats and dogs in Asia are raised in atrocious conditions and brutally slaughtered for their fur. Undercover footage shows animals being skinned alive for their fur from which garments, toys and fur accessories are manufactured.

“The vast majority of fur from cats and dogs comes from countries where animal welfare standards are virtually non existent,” says spokesman for the coalition, SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek. “New Zealand must close its doors to cat and dog fur and take a clear, principled stance against a trade that violates our own animal welfare legislation.”

Things you can do to help this campaign:

Email a picture of your favorite cat or dog and it will be added to the Greens online petition to stop this inhumane trade. Email your picture, name and address.

If you have or suspect any fur for sale is made from cat or dog fur, try to obtain a small sample, label it with date and location, and send it to the Greens Freepost for DNA testing:

Sue Kedgley MP
Parliament Buildings
Wellington

For more information about the cat and dog fur trade visit this website:

At present New Zealand has no laws or restrictions that prevent cat or dog fur from being imported into New Zealand. Green Party MP Sue Kedgley has launched a private members bill which will seek to amend the Customs and Excise Act 1996 and make it illegal to import cat and dog fur into New Zealand. This will bring New Zealand into line with the rest of the OECD (including the United States of America, the European Union and Australia, which have already banned these imports) and ensure that New Zealand does not become a dumping ground for this illegal trade as dealers are forced out of other countries, says Ms Kedgley.

While there are no official data about the quantity of cat and dog fur entering New Zealand Ms Kedgley says there has been a 44 per cent increase in the amount of fur imports from Asia over the past nine years. New Zealanders love their cats and dogs and would be appalled at the cruelty inflicted on these animals. Banning cat and dog fur would prevent consumers from unwittingly buying items made out of companion animals, and widespread community support for this initiative is expected, says Mr Kriek.

The campaign to ban the importation of cat and dog fur into New Zealand is supported by the following groups:

RNZSPCA,  SAFE,  World Society for the Protection of Animals,  New Zealand Companion Animal Council,  Cats’ Protection League,  C is for Cats Charitable Trust,  Cats in Need Trust,  Cat Rescue Christchurch Charitable Trust,  Albany Animal Doctors,  CyberPets Ltd

American Dietetic Association’s New Paper on Veg Diets

Aug 032009
 

The American Dietetic Association is the world’s largest organization of nutrition professionals. This month, they released an updated version of their position paper on vegetarian diets.

Here’s an excerpt. You can read the entire paper online.

It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes.

Palmerston Nth SPCA Chairperson’s Day Job

Aug 032009
 

Animal Rights activists took to the streets of Palmerston North on Saturday 25th July to expose the SPCA Chairperson and her day job.

Debbie Chesterfield, chair of the Manawatu SPCA, manages Massey University’s small animal research breeding facility.

As such, she is involved in live testing, supplying animals for vivisection and killing animals on a daily basis.

Saturday saw the launch of the petition to the Manawatu SPCA committee to have her removed from her position as their Chairperson.

We had an overwhelming response with over 150 people signing the petition.  The public we spoke to were shocked and agreed that she should not be Chair of the local SPCA.

The SPCA is an organisation which the public view as being opposed to animal cruelty and Debbie Chesterfield’s role at Massey University is in direct conflict with this view.

After the picket and petition launch a protest was held oustide the VARC Bainesse facility.  VARC are a contract animal testing facility which breed and test on hundreds of Beagle dogs each year.

Regular protests are held at the site to draw attention to the fact that the Bainesse boarding kennels are merely a front for what really happens on the property.
The petition will soon also be available for signing online.  Details to be released.

Manawatu Standard story:

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