AfA comments and observations

[Guest guest]

It is true that the Asia for Animals conference is more focused on

animal welfare than animal rights, but that is because it is a more

inclusive approach. While animal welfarists may not accept the idea

of animal rights, most animal rights advocates accept the need for

incremental reforms to reduce the level of suffering for animals who

will continue to be killed for various reasons and purposes for the

foreseeable future. If the conference became an animal rights only

forum, there would be very few participants.

 

The organizers have always attempted to avoid things that are

divisive. That has included providing a vegan menu since the first

event in Manila in 2000, even though many, if not most, of the

conference attendees are not vegans and some of the meat-eaters have

felt that they have been denied freedom of choice.

 

The desire to be inclusive has never prevented anyone from expressing

their opinions, however, and there is no reason not to put more

animal rights topics on the agenda. ACRES will be the sponsoring

organization for the next Asia for Animals conference in Singapore in

January of 2010, and specific ideas for sessions can be emailed to

Louis Ng.

 

A note about the Fatwa: while it originated in Egypt, it is

applicable to Muslims throughout the world, and while it is specific

to animal transport and slaughter, Sheikh Tantawy made it clear that

the Islamic requirement for merciful treatment is applicable to all

animals. Islam does not prohibit meat-eating but neither is it

required. The AfA resolutions call for humane slaughter but do not

in any way promote meat-eating.

 

Kim Bartlett

 

 

>Dear colleagues,

>Some comments on Asia for Animals Bali. Great

>setting and very plush surroundings in front of the sea beach. Good place

>for networking and discussion. Trip to Bali Zoo was depressing but

>educational. It is a third class zoo in first class premises. Meeting zoo

>directors was revealing. But the conference was overwhelmingly geared

>towards animal welfare rather than animal rights. And this seems to be the

>dominant aspect of AfA, welfare not rights. Even the resolutions are also in

>favour of welfare than rights. There was huge support for humane slaughter

>in view of the Egyptian fatwa for better treatment of animals before

>slaughter. I personally found it disconcerting.

>I am however attaching a review of an excellent film that was shown at AfA

>Bali called 'Earthlings'. This film came in as a waft of fresh air since it

>highlighted animal rights and was the only instance during the whole

>conference when animal rights issues were highlighted. It showed very

>disturbing footage of animals being abused in a multiplicity of situations,

>eg., slaughterhouses, laboratories, circuses, zoos and sport. It was a

>delight to listen and talk to Shaun Monson, the director.

>I think there is scope for discussion in this forum and elsewhere as to

>whether AfA should continue to focus only on animal welfare or should

>highlight more animal rights issues.

>It was nice to renew old acquaintances and meet fellow workers from around

>the globe. The sight of some free living exotic birds also brought in

>unalloyed pleasure.

>Best wishes and kind regards,

>

>Warmly,

>

>

 

--

Kim Bartlett, President of Animal People, Inc.

Postal mailing address: P.O. Box 960, Clinton WA 98236 U.S.A.

email <ANPEOPLE web-site: http://www.animalpeoplenews.org/