March 2010

BEAUTY WITHOUT CRUELTY
Defending Animal Rights

NPO #002-882

FUR

Fur must be kept out of fashion and continue to be worn by the magnificent animals to whom it belongs. Great designers don't deny that fur is a part of the industry and some of them have even a stupid excuse to the accusation of killing animals. The fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has defended the fur industry saying it is justified because the “beasts” fur comes from, would “kill us if they could.”

How many white foxes and silver beavers, one of this year's choice for stoles and waistcoats, have killed people in living memory? Even if the furs were from predator animals, the comment is fatuous.

I came across this in a comment column however and found it more appropriate “Isn't fur the fabric choice of five dollar hookers from the 80's?”

If one simply must, there are faux's out there that are a far cry from the plastic looking fake furs of years gone by. Those at Beauty Without Cruelty prefer not to wear or encourage faux, however, as it does perpetuate the demand for real fur. It is however, preferable to wearing someone's mother. And yes, wearing Granny's fur remains unacceptable, for the same reason.

CAPE GRACE

I am delighted to see the vegan tasting menu at the Cape Grace Hotel at the Waterfront in Cape Town, who had chosen to remove Foie Gras from their menu permanently some time ago. I for one will certainly be choosing to spoil myself at one of my favourite venues, especially in light of their new options.

See menu >

Signal Restaurant at the Cape Grace Tel: 021 410 7080

CITES AND THE WHALES

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting in Doha has not only failed to protect the bluefin tuna from extinction, it would seem the International Whaling Commission is now seriously considering plans to end the moratorium on commercial whaling.

This, apparently, is a compromise agreement under which whaling can take place under controlled circumstances and tight quotas. Japan, Norway and Iceland who just ignored it the previous rulings will now be happy, as their slaughter may be officially approved!

Their catches will belimited, supervised and DNA testing of whale meat will be introduced to test its origin. Yeah right. And if they are found to be flouting the ‘rules'? The whales will still be dead, having endured an agonizing tortuous death.

This means there will be commercial whaling for the first time since the moratorium was introduced in 1986.

Whether you are talking about selling ivory stocks, allowing the trade in endangered species or banning the fishing of bluefin tunas, there is always money involved and the vested interests include national industries, local economies and ethnic particularities.

The whale numbers could be depleted to a point where the breeding grounds cannot recover and whole species may become extinct.

The 1986 moratorium on commercial whaling was the first great international agreement to cope with a threatened catastrophe in the oceans by imposing a near-total ban on commercial exploitation of this endangered mammal. A reversal now will be a tragedy and may well prove to be the thin edge of the wedge.

CAPE TOWN'S EGYPTIAN GEESE

The Egyptian Goose is indigenous to the whole of Southern Africa, and most definitely includes the Western Cape and is now the new target for the City. The Egyptian Goose is protected under the Agreement of the Conservation of African - Eurasian Migratory waterbirds (AEWA) to which South Africa is a signatory and this little fact would be appear to be totally ignored.

It would seem that the City and Cape Nature – who are supposed to protect and care for our natural habitat including the fauna and birdlife – have a serious blood-lust. The local residents have been voluntarily maintaining the area, as the municipality doesn't seem to have the money to do so. Most of the birds are tame and are an attraction for many in the area. Suddenly there is to be input from the local government in the form of yet more killing, contrary to the wishes of the residents, and this approval given by people who have no education regarding the birds they intend to slaughter.

Despite the promises of a peaceful death, previously a poison called 1080 was used, which paralyses the bird and affects their temperature regulating ability, so they die the most horrendous death, often by drowning. Some of these were then thrown alive and struggling into sealed plastic crates, piled on top of each other.

The DA led City has in the last few years seen fit to slaughter deer, tars, rabbits, cats and baboons, all of whom had been offered sanctuary, which has been refused. The total disaster at Robben Island wrt to the exploding rabbit population was as a direct result of the slaughter of the cats, due to interference of an established ecosystem.

The City plans to obtain a hunting permit from Cape Nature to remove the Egyptian Geese at Sonstraal and Vygeboom Dams. The consideration of hunting permits to kill the birds to perpetuate yet more violence in an already violent city? What on earth is going on? The idea of an inclusive process is laughable, as those directly affected have been ignored in no uncertain terms.

Furthermore, it has been confirmed that due to changing landscapes humans have in fact created the perfect places for geese, and that they present no threat to ducks, which would seem to be one of the ‘factors'. The simple fact is they are, for some, a nuisance. And slaughter is the first thing that comes to mind. Who is next? The wonderful hadedas who aerate my lawn every day? These gorgeous birds are, in fact, marsh birds who, due to circumstance have become urban dwellers.

ANIMAL BY-LAWS CAPE TOWN

Beryl Scott, chairperson of BWC has confirmed that the SPCA (National Council) has openly claimed that they handle 94% of animal welfare and Michael Job, of the City Council, justified not issuing invitations to other organisations to the meeting on Friday 26th March on the "fact" that the SPCA "handles 90% of animal welfare" and that they "speak for animal welfare". They certainly do not!

Furthermore, Beryl says that under duress, Beauty Without Cruelty was to be ‘allowed' 4 or 5 minutes in which to present their case (which has already been done in writing) however it was made abundantly clear that the meeting regarding the by-laws was to cross the t's and dot the i's and that so called ‘public' participation was in fact unwelcome. It was also made clear that BWC was to arrive at a certain tome, and leave immediately after presentation, and that we would not be permitted to be present for the duration of the meeting. Is this how our local government sees public participation and democratic process?

The main way of preventing an escalation of the "overpopulation problem" is sterilisation, but this is a medium to long-term solution. The animals who are here, now, need to be helped. The ideal situation would be to have subsidised sanctuaries for unwanted animals, but as that is *never*going to happen, there will inevitably be animals who will be killed by the system, because there are not enough homes to be found and shelters are overcrowded to saturation point.

However, there are projects such as feral cat feeding and monitoring programmes, no-kill shelters and home for life sanctuaries, that are helping abandoned and stray animals that will be threatened by the new by-laws and these are the groups whose work needs to be supported, not harassed.

The problem that exists today is the result (as usual) of human's lack of care, responsibility and compassion and (as usual) the animals will pay the price. It's unfair to expect people, who have been campaigning for years to change the status quo, to be responsible for finding humane solutions to a problem they had no part in causing, but it is even worse when the advice they do give (regarding the by-laws) is totally ignored!

ELEPHANT UPDATE

It is cause for celebration that governments voted to reject the proposals by Tanzania and Zambia to weaken the 21-year-old ban on ivory sales!

The proposed sale of the two countries' ivory stocks divided Africa, which is unsurprising, resulting in heated debate at the 175-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Qatar. Mostly central and east African countries came out against the proposals on the grounds but the Southern African countries insisted that the two nations should be rewarded for the conservation efforts undertake.

"People born in 100 years, they should be able to see an elephant," said Kenya's Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife Noah Wekesa, whose country opposed the sales and had called at one point for a 20-year moratorium on such auctions.

A key element for the victory were concerns among many delegates and environmentalist that the sales would further exacerbate the poaching problem, that is considered to be at its highest levels since the 1989 ivory ban, a link that has been proven.

PRESS RELEASE

Recent news reads: After luring a baboon into a trap by using bread as bait, a Wilderness man fired about 20 shots into the animal, using a .22calibre gun.

Beauty Without Cruelty condemns in the strongest terms this brutal and calculated act of barbarism against a trapped Baboon. We urge that every possible legal action be taken against the perpetrator, including the trauma inflicted on those who witnessed this and the affected policemen who arrived later and that the strongest sentence possible be passed.

We are seeing more and more unbelievable acts of violence against those who cannot fight back or who are at a disadvantage and there are no mitigating circumstances that warrant the senseless violence seen. It is time the authorities show that they are, in fact, the authorities, and ensure that proper sentencing takes place. This is yet another example of why animals need to be recognised as sentient in law; will yet another suspended sentence and a slap on the wrist be the order of the day, or will a sentence that will mean something to this man and deter others be given?

Why has he not been named? Why is he entitled to anonymity now when he so publicly displayed arrogant violence?

Humans still insist they are the centre of the universe and that every animal, bird or piece of land that threatens their perceived rights or wants can and must be wantonly destroyed. Why can some communities live in harmony with those around them and others not? Basic respect, or lack thereof. We need to accept that we are part of the world around us and not an entity and law unto ourselves, and we continue along this path at our peril.

WOOLWORTHS AND THE BUNNY CHOCOLATES

Due to the efforts of an activist, WW has recalled a flat chocolate bunny which has, despite the import label, a REAL bunny (cat?) fur tail. BWC confirmed the fur is real and the product will be tested (again) to confirm this, by Woolworths and also by our own independent lab.

Woolworths it seems, was misled by the supplier as to the nature of the product and we commend them for recalling the product until clarity has been attained.

We have just received word from Wooworths that the chocolates have been restocked as their lab says the fur is fake. We have yet to hear from our own lab.

Perhaps this is a lesson that ' too fake' isn't okay either?

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ANOTHER REASON TO GO VEGAN

The benefits of fruits and vegetables for cancer prevention and survival are unmistakable, according to nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Pointing to two newly published studies, the doctors say,

"There is no need for animal-derived products in the diet, and you're betteroff without them."

Consumption of soy, fruits, and vegetables helped reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in this group of women, according to the new study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition."

Co-author Therese Dolecek, PhD, of the Institute for Health Research and Policy at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and her colleagues concluded that low-fat, plant-based diets are not only beneficial for cancer prevention - they may also play a role in increasing survival time after diagnosis.

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RECIPES

SWEET ENDING

As we head for April, all manner of sweet things appear, whether for Pesach or Easter. An old fashioned Bakewell Tart, or Almond tart as it is known in South Africa, is my husbands favourite and this version is, of course, both vegan and delicious! I like the almond topping, others may prefer the icing and glace cherry finish...but however you choose to complete this, it won't last long!

> BAKEWELL TART RECIPE

TOMATO TARTLETS

These divine tomato tartlets are truly the world's easiest! So much deliciousness for so little effirt doesn't seem fair, really!

> TOMATO TARTLETS RECIPE

BEAUTY WITHOUT CRUELTY COOKBOOK

I simply adore the baked tomatoes from the book. I pop six halves on top of pasta - rather than the usual tomato sauce. Wow! Had the tomatoes once with the vegan gnocchi and once on the pasta. So I had baked tomatoes twice in one week! Sarka

Made the lentil cottage pie. It was so easy! I took leftovers to work and this will definitely be a regular recipe! The cupcakes I made were light and delicious. I didn't have dairy free chocolate so I just left it out and they were awesome. Cindy

Joe Day's Enormous Chocolate cake - what a winner, delish and feeds an entire class. The bread recipe with the other options…my boys don't stop eating the lovely home-made bread. Garlic and nutritional yeast bread …YUMMMY!

Dr Elisa Galgut's cottage pie, minus the curry and tobasco, plus mushrooms. My kids love it and so do we! - Biddy

Order your Living Without Cruelty coobook now and enjoy easy, tasty food!

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GREYHOUND RACING

South Africa it seems, always starts something that has slowed or stopped in the rest of the world. Examples like communism and pebble reactors spring to mind. The American Greyhound Track Owners Association is holding their national convention this week in Las Vegas where a mere 120 people, are expected, making it the lowest attendance in history. Just fifteen years ago, the national convention drew more than 400 participants and the industry was active. Now more than half of the tracks in the U.S. have closed, four of them last year. In the UK, where greyhound racing has long been regulated, attendance is dropping and cruelty is still invasive. In the 1940's England had 80 tracks, 33 of which were in London, today, only 30 survive, 3 of which are in London. The times, they are a-changing.

Every voice possible needs to be loud and clear on the fact that South Africa does not need or want greyhound racing legalized; the only people who will benefit (one of the big pro-arguments) will be the handful at the top. There will be immense neglect and cruelty of the dogs; how can there not be? Puppy mills will abound, there will be more dogs who will be the welfare organizations problem, and yet more vulnerable people will be sucked into gambling.

FIREWORKS

As always, this remains an ongoing issue, however, recently Beauty Without Cruelty finally seems to have made contact with the correct person, who says in a recent mail to the relevant city department that “fireworks form part of Safety & Security Portfolio Committee's functions and I find it strange that I was not informed of it at any stage! …..the contentious issue of fireworks has been much debated already – hence the importance of us having to be informed about such important input from the public!”

Perhaps we will get movement at last. BWC presented signatures, information of the chemical dangers of fireworks and the pollution aspect as well as input on the effects on both domestic and wild animals, to the City. There are other parties working tirelessly on this issue also. It would seem the majority of folks would be quite happy to see the back of fireworks.

POACHING JUSTICE

It would seem that perhaps poaching is being taking seriously and the sentences meted out in this case are just, although the sentence was not based on poaching, per se. The two rhino poachers, Joao Mdlovu and Berlito Mdlovu, arrested in our Kruger National Park in January 2010 for rhino poaching, were found guilty for possession of illegal firearms.

They were both sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on Tuesday, 23rd March 2010. Joao Mdlovu is still undergoing court proceedings, together with Phanuel Mnisi, for the illegal hunting of rhino in the KNP in 2009. Dr David Mabunda, Chief Executive of South African National Parks said: “SANParks is leading the way against rhino poaching and has been mandated by the Minister of Environment to co-ordinate other conservation agencies.