Animals Asia Press Release: 11/01/06

[Guest guest]

11/01/06

Immediate Release

 

European Parliament Unite on Ending Moon Bear Bile Farming in China

 

Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) welcomes " overwhelming " European

Parliament support.

 

London, 11 January 2006 --- A cross-party written declaration calling

for the Chinese government to end the horrific practice of bear bile

farming is now official European Parliament Policy after more than

370 MEPs, from across Europe, signed the declaration.

 

This is only the 4th time in this current Parliament that a written

declaration has gained enough signatures and cross-party support to

be adopted.

 

The Declaration was co-authored by David Martin, Labour MEP for

Scotland, Neil Parish, Conservative MEP for the South West, Peter

Skinner, Labour MEP for the South East, Terence Wynn, Labour MEP for

the North West and London Labour MEP Robert Evans.

 

Signed by MEPs from all 25 member states the declaration requests the

Chinese Government takes 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 Animals Asia

Foundation in accelerating the closure of all bear farms through

programmes benefiting captive bears and farmers reliant on the

industry.

 

The President of the European Parliament will now write to the

Chinese Premier setting out the Parliament's position and requesting

a response.

 

Neil Parish, Conservative MEP for the South West, said " " The Chinese

government has been watching closely to see if the resolution gained

the requisite support and I know they will now take great notice of

it. "

 

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. Due to an over-supply in production

bear bile can also be found in non- medicinal products such as face

creams, soap, shampoo, tea and wine. Though banned across Europe bear

bile is still legal in China.

 

Peter Skinner, Labour MEP for the South East, commented " We intend to

keep this issue alive so the Chinese government will have to close

the farms before the international press descends on them in 2008.

 

" It is an added disgrace that an oversupply of bile is being used in

products with no medicinal value such as shampoos, skin cream and

wine. "

 

Animals Asia, with help from the Chinese government, has closed down

40 farms and rescued 198 bears. Yet, with an estimate 7000 bears on

farms across China, there is more to be done.

 

Jill Robinson MBE, Founder and CEO of Animals Asia welcomed this

declaration as " groundbreaking " and said " It shows overwhelming

support from the European Parliament for our Government partners in

China who are helping Animals Asia to close down bear farms across

the country.

 

" We now urge the Central Government to take a firm stance against

this barbaric industry and to announce a date when it will end once

and for all. "

 

Dave Neale, Animals Asia UK Director, who was invited to Strasbourg

to help raise awareness about bear bile farming, said 'This is a

landmark occasion for everyone who wants to end this trade, it is

also an incredible testament to the support across the European Union

as thousands of people, from every EU country, have written to their

MEP asking them to sign this important declaration. "

 

Website: www.animalsasia.org

 

- ENDS -

 

Notes to Editors

 

1. Written Declaration on " Rising international concern over the

farming of bear bile in China " by David Martin, Neil Parrish, Peter

Skinner, Terence Wynn and Robert Evans can be read at

www.europarl.eu.int/decladoc/document/2005/P6_DCL(2005)0052/P6_DCL(2005)

0052_EN.doc "

 

2. A Press Conference on 'Ending Bear Bile Farming in China' will

take place at 2pm on Tuesday 17 January at the European Parliament,

Strasbourg. Press Room LOW

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