Fw: UK EDM press release

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UK MP's Sign Early Day Motion Calling for the End of Bear Farming in China

In a resounding call urging Her Majesty's Government to take whatever

measures it can to end bear farming in China, 143 British Members of

Parliament have signed an Early Day Motion in the London House of Commons.

 

Initiated and tabled by Robert Marshall-Andrews QC MP, the " EDM "

congratulated the Chinese Government and the Central Government

Administration for Wildlife Protection on their progress towards ending the

terrible practice of bile extraction from live, captive bears and encouraged

the efforts of the Hong Kong based Animals Asia Foundation who are in the

process of rescuing hundreds of bears currently suffering on farms in China.

 

The EDM noted that the practice of bile extraction " involves the regular

infliction of excruciating pain on bears kept permanently restricted in tiny

cages which deny any movement and which result in crippling deformity and

dementia " .

 

The bears arriving at the Animals Asia Rescue Centre in Sichuan Province,

China, have been caged on farms for periods of up to 22 years and are

suffering severe physical and mental problems. Confined in cages no larger

than the size of their own bodies, many are missing limbs as a result of

being trapped in the wild and have crude metal catheters protruding from

their abdomens through which bile is " milked " for use in traditional

medicine.

 

Many of these pitiful animals have had their teeth deliberately cut back, or

their paw tips brutally sliced off, in order for their defenses to be taken

away and make them easier to milk.

 

Thanks to government officials in Beijing and Sichuan who signed a

groundbreaking Agreement with the Animals Asia Foundation in July 2000,

calling for the rescue of 500 bears and promising to work together towards

the end of bear farming, over 70 highly endangered Moon Bears have now been

freed from the farms.

 

British Member of Parliament, Robert Marshall-Andrews MP, said " In

recognition that bear farming is cruel and that the medicinal properties of

bear bile may be replicated and improved by the abundance of both

traditional Chinese herbs and modern synthetics, this House applauds the

Chinese Government in their first positive step towards bringing an end to

this practice and helping the 7,000 endangered Moon Bears caged on farms.

 

Founder and CEO of Animals Asia, Jill Robinson MBE, said: " We are extremely

grateful for this endorsement from the British MP's, and could not be

rescuing these bears without the help and support of the Chinese government.

True to their promise, they are closing down the farms, helping to

compensate the farmers and confiscating the bears into our care. Bears who

have known only suffering in their entire lives, are now finally playing

together on grass in bouts which would put world class wrestlers to shame.

We have a long way to go, but are working ever closer towards our goal of

ending bear farming by the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. "

 

Further information and full statement of the Early Day Motion:

 

Robert Marshall-Andrews QC MP - England - (44) 020 7219 5188/6920 or

(44) 01634 814 687.

 

Annie Mather, Media Director, Animals Asia Foundation - Hong Kong.

(852) 2508 1867

 

Information regarding bear farming and the historic China Bear Rescue -

Animals Asia Foundation:

 

Jill Robinson - Hong Kong - 852 27193340

Annie Mather - Hong Kong - 852 2508 1867

David Neale - UK Representative - (44) 0870 241 3723

 

Animals Asia Foundation website : www.animalsasia.org

 

Ends.