V for Vegan: easyVegan.info » from PCRM

Liberation BC & PCRM: Vegan Diet Doesn’t Cause Birth Defects

Kelly Garbato — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:02:04 +0000

Sigh. Almost two years after “vegan” parents Lamont Thomas and Jade Sanders were convicted of involuntary manslaughter for starving their son, Crown Shakur, to death (hence Nina Planck’s oh-so-clever – and, not to mention, compassionate – “Death by Veganism” column title), non-vegans *still* refer to this case as proof that vegan diets are inherently unhealthy and unsuitable for infants and children. (And, in more extreme cases, that vegan diets constitute child abuse and warrant state intervention.) Even though, as I explain at over at Bitch, these “death by veganism” cases could be more accurately described as “death by starvation.” With proper knowledge and planning, vegan diets are actually healthier than diets which involve animals and animal by-products. For infants, breast milk and soy formula – rather than the soy milk and apple juice Crown Shakur received – are part of a healthy vegan diet.

Anyhow, cue the latest bit of anti-vegan scare-mongering: “Vegan diet tied to birth defects,” which PCRM and Liberation BC critique below. Please consider contacting the newspapers that ran the story, and politely correct their shoddy science “reporting.”

Mary Martin at Animal Person also offers an interesting deconstruction of PCRM’s press release from a radical vegan perspective. I’m embarassed to say that I didn’t pick up on PCRM’s odd choice of wording at first!

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Liberation BC
Date: Mon, Mar 2, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Subject: Vegan Diet Doesn’t Cause Birth Defects

Liberation BC has had a few people write to us asking about an article in several newspapers, “Vegan diet tied to birth defects”, so we thought we’d send out an Action Alert with a little more information.

The article claims that a study shows that “…vegans and women who eat little or no meat, fish, eggs, milk or cheese are at the highest risk, as well as women with stomach or intestinal problems…that keep them from absorbing enough B12.”

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has issued a press release in response, stating that what the article doesn’t mention is that “…the study is based on analysis of stored blood samples originally collected during pregnancy from three groups of Irish women between 1983 and 1990. It’s not clear if any of the women were vegan, but the study clearly states that this population was deliberately chosen because vitamin supplementation and food fortification were rare at that time. The women lived in a region of traditionally high neural tube defects prevalence, suggesting a moderately high genetic predisposition.” (Doctors endorse vegan and vegetarian diets for healthy pregnancies, 2 Mar 2009)

Of course, it is absolutely true that everyone needs to get B12. It is the only vitamin or mineral that one cannot get on a totally vegan diet. An incredibly small amount of it is necessary–less than 10 micrograms a day–and yet it is so important that without it, we can become very ill indeed. Fortunately, however, it is also a very easy vitamin to get.

It is also worth noting that the experts wholly endorse a vegan diet. The Dieticians of Canada and the American Dietetic Association have stated that:

“Well-planned vegan diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy and lactation. Appropriately planned vegan diets satisfy nutrient needs of infants, children, and adolescents and promote normal growth.”

Learn more about B12, where it comes from, and how to get it, at VeganHealth.org.

And check out some great photos of healthy, happy vegan kids!

It is very important that newspapers realize that a vegan diet is perfectly appropriate for a healthy life, including pregnancy! Please contact the local papers which published this deceptive article and let them know how you feel: National Post, Vancouver Sun (sunletters [at] vancouversun.com), The Province (provletters [at] theprovince.com), and the Victoria Times-Colonist (letters [at] tc.canwest.com)!

Thanks for reading, and have a great week!

Becci

The following physical address is associated with this mailing list:
Liberation BC PO Box 14324 Granville Island Post Office Vancouver, BC V6H 4J6

———————–

Doctors Endorse Vegan and Vegetarian Diets for Healthy Pregnancies

Nutrition Experts Available for Comment in Response to NIH Study About B12

WASHINGTON—Well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets are healthful choices for pregnant women and their children, and vitamin B12 needs can be easily met with fortified foods or any common multivitamin, say doctors and dietitians with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). PCRM nutrition experts are available for comment in response to a new Pediatrics study showing that low levels of vitamin B12 may increase the risk for neural tube defects.

The Pediatrics study is based on analysis of stored blood samples originally collected during pregnancy from three groups of Irish women between 1983 and 1990. There’s no indication that any of the women were vegan or vegetarian, but the study clearly states that this population was deliberately chosen because vitamin supplementation and food fortification were rare at that time. The women lived in a region of traditionally high neural tube defects prevalence, suggesting a moderately high genetic predisposition.

“Because of the way that the samples were obtained for our study, we were not able to determine whether or not the women were vegans,” study author James Mills explained in an e-mail responding to questions about the study. “At the time that the study samples were collected, I think it is safe to say that vegans were uncommon.”

Experts agree that pregnant women can thrive on vegan diets. The American Dietetic Association, the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, states that “well-planned vegan and other types of vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including during pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence.” Vegetarian diets offer a number of nutritional benefits, including lower levels of saturated fat and cholesterol and higher levels of fiber, folate, and cancer-fighting antioxidants and phytochemicals.

“Women who follow vegan diets not only have healthy pregnancies, they are often healthier than moms who consume meat,” says Susan Levin, M.S., R.D., staff dietitian with PCRM. “By eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other healthful vegetarian foods and including breakfast cereals or other foods fortified with vitamin B12, mothers and their children can obtain all the nutrients they need to thrive.”

Choosing a vegetarian or vegan diet can also help women avoid the unhealthy hormones and environmental toxins found in dairy products, meat, and fish. Analyses of vegetarians’ breast milk show that the levels of environmental contaminants in milk are much lower than in non-vegetarians.

Vitamin B12 needs can be met easily with fortified breakfast cereals and soymilk, which are low in fat and calories. The most convenient and reliable B12 source is a daily multivitamin.

For more information or an interview with Ms. Levin or another PCRM nutrition expert or a vegan mother, please contact Tara Failey at 202-686-2210, ext. 319, or tfailey [at] pcrm.org.

Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Tara Failey
202-686-2210, ext. 319
tfailey [at] pcrm.org

Susan Levin, M.S., R.D

———————–

Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts food diet vegan veganism vegetarian vegetarianism nutrition b-12 pcrm Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine liberation bc news in the news

PCRM: Update: Senate Passes Farm Bill

Kelly Garbato — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:52:59 +0000

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: PCRM Legislative Coordinator Kyle Ash
Date: Dec 19, 2007 9:00 AM
Subject: Update: Senate Passes Farm Bill

The Senate passed its version of the Farm Bill on Friday, Dec. 14–and thanks to all of your phone calls and e-mails, a remarkable number of senators found the courage to ignore special interests and vote yes on the FRESH Amendment. The FRESH Amendment, which was introduced by Sens. Lugar and Lautenberg, represented our best chance to reduce subsidies for cruel factory farms and unhealthy foods. Unfortunately, the amendment failed by a vote of 37 to 58. But the vote was much closer than people anticipated, and it reflects an important change on Capitol Hill: Public health and children’s nutrition are finally becoming a priority.

Find out how your senators voted on the FRESH Amendment. If you would like to contact your senators about how they voted, click here.

More than ever before, the media, celebrities, politicians, and the public are talking about how the American crisis of obesity and chronic disease is fueled by the federal food policies that continue to surround Americans with high-fat, sugary products. Reforming the Farm Bill is an uphill battle, and PCRM will continue working to improve federal food policy.

The Farm Bill debate is not completely over until it passes the president’s desk in 2008. And in 2009, the Child Nutrition Act will be reauthorized. Please stay tuned for more updates about how you can help. You can also visit our Web site for the latest information on our efforts on Capitol Hill.

Thanks so much for letting Congress know that people are ready for a healthier federal food policy. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at kash [at] pcrm.org.

Best regards,

Kyle Ash
Legislative Coordinator

Tell A Friend

Support PCRM, Donate Now

Join PCRM or Renew Your Membership

PCRM’s Farm Bill Web site

Find out how your senators voted

Look up your elected officials

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Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
5100 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Ste. 400
Washington, DC 20016 Phone: 202-686-2210
E-mail: info [at] pcrm.org

————————

Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts pcrm Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine farm bill 2007 farm bill FRESH Amendment subsidies factory farming meat food diet obesity

PCRM: Save Animals at Medical College of Wisconsin

Kelly Garbato — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 21:19:13 +0000

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: PCRM Research Program Coordinator Ryan Merkley – rmerkley [at] pcrm.org
Date: Dec 13, 2007 10:45 AM
Subject: Save Animals at Medical College of Wisconsin

Animals are still in danger at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). As you may remember, about 60 dogs were killed in a physiology lab at MCW in February 2007. Despite efforts by PCRM members, concerned citizens, and a coalition of animal protection organizations led by the Wisconsin Humane Society, MCW is scheduled to hold another round of unnecessary animal labs in February 2008. The school will use pigs instead of dogs for the first-year physiology course in February. With the lab just a few months away, we urgently need your help to save these animals.

Here’s what we need you to do today:

* Please call the Department of Physiology chairman Allen Cowley Jr., Ph.D., at 414-456-8277 and ask him to cancel the pig lab and implement humane alternatives. It is extremely important that your phone call is polite.

* Send an automatic e-mail to MCW president and CEO T. Michael Bolger, chairman Cowley, and director of MCW’s pig lab Jean-Francois Liard, M.D., Ph.D., and politely ask them to end the school’s live animal lab program.

* Forward this e-mail to all of your friends and family in Wisconsin and ask them to take action, too.

* Visit www.savemcwanimals.org/ for the most up-to-date information about our campaign to end MCW’s pig lab and how you can help.

Over the past year, three medical schools have ended their live animal physiology labs. In fact, only 10 out of 126 medical schools in the United States still offer live animal courses. Learn more about live animal labs.

It’s clear that MCW has felt enormous public pressure to change—and now we have to keep that pressure on. Thank you so much for taking action to help save these pigs and reform physiology education at MCW. Please feel free to contact me at rmerkley@pcrm.org if you have any questions.

Best regards,

Ryan Merkley
Research Program Coordinator
rmerkley [at] pcrm.org

Take Action!

Support PCRM

Donate Now

Join PCRM or Renew Your Membership

www.SaveMCWanimals.org

Humane alternatives to live animal labs

Learn more about live animal labs

Subscribe to future PCRM e-mail communications

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
5100 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Ste. 400
Washington, DC 20016 Phone: 202-686-2210
E-mail: info [at] pcrm.org

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine pcrm animal research animal testing animal experimentation vivisection dog canine pet companion animal live dog labs Medical College of Wisconsin mcw Wisconsin Humane Society Department of Physiology

PCRM: The Farm Bill: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You

Kelly Garbato — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:26:42 +0000

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: PCRM Legislative Coordinator Kyle Ash – kash [at] pcrm.org
Date: Sep 28, 2007 10:40 AM
Subject: The Farm Bill: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You

Ever wonder why cheeseburgers are so cheap? Or why school cafeterias still serve more meatloaf and hot dogs than fruits and vegetables? The answer may surprise you.

The Farm Bill, America’s primary federal food policy, keeps high-fat, cholesterol-laden pork, beef, cheese, and other unhealthy animal products cheap and widely available. That’s why I hope you’ll take action today to help spread the word about PCRM’s new hard-hitting Farm Bill commercial.

The Farm Bill doled out more than $70 billion in food subsidy payments from 1995 to 2005, and more than three-quarters of that money went to producers of meat, sugar, oil, dairy, alcohol, and feed crops used in meat production. Fruit and vegetable farmers received less than 1 percent of government subsidies. To make matters worse, the federal government purchases Farm Bill surplus foods like cheese, milk, pork, and beef for distribution to food assistance programs—including the National School Lunch Program.

As you may know from my previous e-mails, the House of Representatives made only minor changes to the subsidy system when it passed its version of the bill in July. Now that the Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to begin marking up its version of the Farm Bill in October, PCRM and other groups are calling for sweeping changes. PCRM has been calling attention to the problem with a new television ad about the Farm Bill, which directs people to StopChildhoodObesityNow.org. Our ad has been covered by The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, MSNBC.com, and many other media outlets. As the bill comes before the Senate over the next month, I’ll need your help to send a strong message about reform.

www.youtube.com/user/PCRM

Here’s how you can help:

1. Watch PCRM’s new Farm Bill ad on YouTube. Make sure to share it with your friends!
2. Forward this e-mail to your friends and family and let them know why they should care about the Farm Bill, too.
3. Call and e-mail your senators. Urge them to make healthy changes to the Farm Bill.

I’ll be contacting you again in the next few weeks with more updates on the Farm Bill and more details about how you can help as the bill moves through the Senate. Thank you so much for your support and help in reforming the Farm Bill. As always, please feel free to contact me at kash [at] pcrm.org if you have any questions.

Best regards,

Kyle Ash
Legislative Coordinator
kash [at] pcrm.org

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
5100 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Ste. 400
Washington, DC 20016 Phone: 202-686-2210
E-mail: info [at] pcrm.org

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine pcrm farm bill 2007 farm bill section 123 factory farming agriculture animal agriculture farming factory farms health organic public safety meat produce obesity subsidies you tube ad video

easyVegan Link Sanctuary, 09-06-07

Kelly Garbato — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:13:46 +0000

Action Alerts

European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE): Help Us Stop Primate Experiments. For Good.
We currently have a real opportunity to get a ban on all primate experiments across Europe – but we need your help.

The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights (FTCR) / OilWatchdog: Stick It to Big Oil
Send a free fax to your U.S. Senator by clicking here, and ask him or her to support McCaskill’s “Fair Fuel” bill, S. 1997!

Four Paws: Join us in a protest against the ruthless dog mafia in Europe
FOUR PAWS wants to thwart the unscrupulous trade in puppies. Take part! Support our protest and sign our online petition.

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Get Tina and Jewel Out of the Circus
Urge USDA to send suffering elephants to a sanctuary now

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Ask Prosecutor to seek maximum sentencing for animal hoarders
Over 100 Animals Removed from Animal Hoarders’ Home; Supplies needed to care for 68 surviving dogs and cats

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Give Vick Dogs a Fighting Chance at Life
Ask U.S. Attorney to allow rescue organizations to adopt qualified dogs

Kinship Circle: Help Philly Go Foie Gras Free, 9/4/07
Please Take Action to Help Philadelphia be Foie Gras Free

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Help save endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep
Ask the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect lands critical to the bighorn’s survival.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Californians: Tell your state legislators to vote Yes on important environmental bills
The California legislature will consider several important environmental bills before it adjourns in the next few days. Urge your state legislators to vote Yes for these critical bills.

Rainforest Action Network (RAN): Ask your representative to co-sponsor the Clean Water Protection Act (H.R. 2169)
You can make a difference by asking your representative to co-sponsor the Pallone-Shays Clean Water Protection Act, H.R. 2169.

Campaign Updates, Press Releases, etc.

Disaster Animal Victims of Peru Earthquake Need Our Help NOW blog
This blog contains information, links and postings about the current situation for animals in Peru affected by the August 2007 earthquake.

Dogs Deserve Better (DDB): “Falling Star, Rising Son: The Football Player and the Pit bull” Art containing Actual NFL Football Tickets from Steeler/Eagles Game
To be Auctioned on E-Bay; All proceeds benefit nonprofit organization Dogs Deserve Better (ends 9/13)

Dogs Deserve Better (DDB): DA Seeks to Bar Defense Evidence of Abuse on Doogie; Grimes Responds, Releases a Statement [.pdf]
Woman accused of dog theft issues statement in response to Pennsylvania DA’s attempt to bar defense evidence from trial

Newsletters

The Animals Voice eNewsletter: September 6, 2007
AnimalsVoice.com is the premiere online resource for animal rights and its defenders.

Best Friends Animal Society: eNewsletter, September 6, 2007
Events Around Town – super adoptions, hiking, racing for the animals!

In Defense of Animals (IDA): eNews, September 5, 2007
IDA Action Alerts, Campaign News & Updates

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM): PCRM Online, September 2007
Physicians Sue California University for Violating Animal Welfare Law; PCRM Report Card Reveals School Lunch Disparities; Stony Brook University, Saint Louis University End Animal Labs After Bar Association, PCRM Letters; Congress Updates America’s Farm Bill, The Cancer Project Holds Second Annual Symposium

Vegan Outreach: eNewsletter, September 5, 2007
Holy Booklets, Batman! New Records!

VegCooking.com: Recipe of the Week: September 5, 2007
Vegan Rosemary-Cheese Biscuits

Petitions

Help get justice for a tortured and killed cocker spaniel

Cruelty to Animals Statute in Idaho must be changed to a felony.

Remove section 3.14 of City Council Tenancy agreement restricting pet ownership

Levend gevild.Stop de bontboederijen,Fur for animals

Keep St Mary’s Street in Cardiff pedestrianised

DEAR OPRAH, Please read this book and have this guest on your show!

Your Daily Click-Through Reminders

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easyVegan Link Dump Sanctuary, 08-08-07

Kelly Garbato — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:28:40 +0000

Action Alerts

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): TELL CONGRESS: DON’T FAIL FREEDOM
Stand with the ACLU and demand that Congress live up to its promise to protect and defend the Constitution, starting with immediate fixes to the outrageous FISA legislation that made warrantless NSA spying on Americans legal.

DawnWatch: NPR commentary on dog fighting and canned hunting 8/8/07
“National Public Radio’s Morning Edition, Wednesday, August 8, 2007, aired a piece by commentator Frank Deford on dog fighting and on various forms of hunting”

DawnWatch: Wall St Journal front page on pig castration 7/6/07
“These Little Pigs Get Special Care From Norwegians But Meat People Squeal, And a Lot of Other Folks Are Holding Their Noses”

Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF): Pull Congress Back Into the Wiretapping Fight to Restore Your Rights
Tell your representatives to repeal this legislation and restore your rights now.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Urge Congress to clean up our beaches
Your senators and representatives have the opportunity to help clean up contaminated beaches and to make sure sources of beach pollution are identified and addressed.

Sea Turtle Restoration Project (STRP): Tell California Coastal Commission to Vote No to Longline Fishing in California
Protected and Endangered Sea Turtles and Marine Mammals at Risk

The Sierra Club: Ozone Standards Should Protect Our Health
Please let EPA Administrator Johnson know you want an ozone standard that truly protects public health, not one cooked up by industry.

Newsletters

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM): PCRM Online, August 2007
Diet Matters in Breast Cancer Prevention and Survival; Seven Local Residents, PCRM File Lawsuit Against City of Chandler; New Study Finds Race Plays Role in Cancer Survival; New York Bar Association Challenges Use of Animal Labs in Med Schools; Two New Public Service Announcements Highlight Vegetarian Diets

The Sierra Club: Sierra Club Currents: Volume VI, #75: August 7, 2007
Sierra Club Currents — Breathe Easier

The Sierra Club: Sierra Club Insider: August 7, 2007
Can Compact Fluorescents Hurt You?

United Poultry Concerns (UPC): Summer/Fall 2007 Poultry Press
Chosen one of the BEST Nonprofit Publications by UTNE magazine

Vegan Outreach: E-Newsletter, Aug. 8, 2007
Game On for New Semester!

VegCooking.com: Recipe of the Week: Strawberry Mousse Cupcakes
A fluffy mousse tops these strawberry jam-filled cupcakes.

Petitions

Justice for Kilo: Suspend Falcons’ Jonathan Babineaux

Plastic Bag Ban

Your Daily Click-Through Reminders

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easyVegan Link Dump Sanctuary, 7-25-07

Kelly Garbato — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 22:34:56 +0000

Action Alerts

Best Friends Animal Society: Selling Bunnies Is Selling Out

Corporate Accountability International: National Day of Action Today! Will Pepsi “Move the Mountain”?

Defenders of Wildlife: Take Action for Wildlife Conservation on Farm and Ranch Lands

Environmental Defense: Take Action for Tougher Air Pollution Standards

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Protect the Western Arctic Reserve

Campaign Updates, Press Releases, etc.

Help Get Justice for Bob! (Bob the Tortoise, that is; page last updated 7/19/07)

Bob the Tortoise on MySpace

Newsletters

The Bill of Rights Defense Committee (BORDC): Dissent Is Patriotic: July 2007, Vol. 6, No. 6

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): BioGems News: July 2007

The Ocean Conservancy: eNewsletter: July 2007

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) Event: Diabetes Video Support Group Weekly Session

The Sierra Club: Club Currents: Volume VI, #74: July 24, 2007

Vegan Outreach: E-Newsletter, July 25, 2007

VegCooking.com: Recipe of the Week (Thai Vegetarian Chicken With Snow Peas)

Petitions

Stop using animals in the circus!

Stop Zoos from killing Tigers for collectors

Support Family Farms, NOT Mega-Farms

Environmental Demands

Your Daily Click-Through Reminders

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easyVegan Link Dump Sanctuary, 7-24-07

Kelly Garbato — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 23:29:15 +0000

Action Alerts

Center for Biological Diversity: Oppose Aerial Herbicide Spraying on Public Lands

The Center for Food Safety: House to Vote on Farm Bill – Take Action Today!

DawnWatch: CNN’s Paula Zahn to cover dogfighting, Thursday 7/26/07

DawnWatch: Dan Mathews “Committed” summer tour — July-August 2007

DawnWatch tip: NBC Nightly news on calls for bullfighting bans 7/23/07

DawnWatch: Extraordinary coverage and commentary from NPR’s Scott Simon, Weekend Edition Saturday, 7/21/07

DawnWatch: Newsday piece on runaway steer and vegetarianism 7/22/07

Defenders of Wildlife: We Can End Aerial Gunning of Wolves: Sign the Petition Today!

Earthjustice: Adopt the Sky

Earthjustice: Restore Balance on Our Public Lands!

Environmental Defense: Tell Congress to Support Conservation Friendly Farming

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM): The “Fairness in Farm and Food Policy” amendment to the 2007 Farm Bill

Campaign Updates, Press Releases, etc.

The Animal Welfare Institute: “Barbaric, Barbaric, Barbaric!” / Vick Dog Fighting Charges Symptomatic of a Larger Problem

Carnivals

Carnival of the Green #87 (July 23 @ Hippy Shopper)

Newsletters

Earthjustice e-Brief: July 2007

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW): Animal Update Online: July 2007

Sierra Club Insider: July 24, 2007

Petitions

Felony indictment for dog fighting in Georgia

Please help stop brutal murders of dogs in Chernihiv!

The animal welfare in Romania – Street cleansing with poison – Braila 2007

Stop Animal Cruelty Now!

SAY NO TO JAPANESE SCHOOLCHILDREN VIEWING WHALES BEING BUTCHERED

I am not a nugget!

Fight Against Asthma by Adopting the Sky!

Pledge to Live a One Planet Life!

Tim Horton’s – Making the Cups Recyclable!!!

Is God Green?

Your Daily Click-Through Reminders

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w00t! Section 123, 86ed! (with an alert from PCRM)

Kelly Garbato — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 01:36:56 +0000

Just got the following email from PCRM and am unexpectedly excited about this unexpectedly unexpected news. I thought Section 123 would go the way of AETA for sure. Hey, I’ll take good news wherever I can find it…

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: PCRM Legislative Coordinator Kyle Ash – kash [at] pcrm.org
Date: Jul 12, 2007 12:30 PM
Subject: Legislative Success: Section 123 Removed from Farm Bill

I am writing to share some exciting news: Section 123 has been removed from the Farm Bill! This would not have happened without your help, and we appreciate the efforts of everyone who voiced their concerns about section 123 by calling and e-mailing Congress.

As you may remember, if section 123 had become law it would have weakened food safety and animal welfare policies by invalidating hundreds of state and local laws that provide greater protections than federal laws. Efforts to challenge the way the meat and dairy industries sell, market, and label their products would have been significantly thwarted.

While the success with section 123 is significant, our efforts to improve the Farm Bill continue—and we still need your help. Many of you have already contacted your representative about HR 2720, or FARM 21, a new bill that would be beneficial for farmers wanting to produce healthy foods and for Americans wanting to eat a healthful diet. FARM 21’s subsidy reforms would also free up money for nutrition programs that would enhance every American’s ability to eat a healthy diet. Learn more about HR 2720 and how to contact your representative today.

Thank you so much for your help with section 123. We hope to share more Farm Bill successes with you in the future. Stay tuned for more updates about the Farm Bill and other legislative activities that affect the health of Americans. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at kash [at] pcrm.org.

Best regards,

Kyle Ash
PCRM Legislative Coordinator

* Click here to read more about the 2007 Farm Bill

* Click here to read the text of the 2007 Farm Bill

* Contact your rep. about HR 2720

Subscribe to future PCRM e-mail communications

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
5100 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Ste. 400
Washington, DC 20016 Phone: 202-686-2210
E-mail: info [at] pcrm.org

View this message as HTML in your browser

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts pcrm Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine farm bill section 123 state’s rights federal laws state laws local laws food food safety diet healthy foods nutrition

Kinship Circle: LETTER/ Farm Bill Undoes Cruelty Laws, State By State

Kelly Garbato — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 20:21:45 +0000

UPDATE, 7/2/07:

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UPDATE, 6/21/07:

See also: Don’t Let Congress Eliminate Food Safety and Animal Welfare Laws, from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). This is in addition to their 6/4/07 alert, PCRM: Ask Congress to Support Healthy Changes to the Farm Bill.

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UPDATE, 6/19/07:

See also: Tell the House Agriculture Committee Not to Allow Language Preempting State’s Rights in Farm Bill from the Center for Food Safety. If you decide to use the sample letter provided by the Center for Food Safety, be sure to add some language reflecting concern for animal welfare laws as well as those regarding food safety and states’ rights.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – info [at] kinshipcircle.org
Date: Jun 14, 2007 10:46 AM
Subject: LETTER/ Farm Bill Undoes Cruelty Laws, State By State

Kinship Circle Primary – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST AS WRITTEN
(Please do not delete identity/disclaimer information)

6/14/07: Farm Bill Undoes Cruelty Laws, State By State
KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN

www.KinshipCircle.org

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:

Farm Bill Strips Communities of Power to Make Local Laws!
LINK: www.farmsanctuary.org/campaign/fed_section123.htm

Don’t Let Congress Undo State and Local Animal Laws
LINK: www.humanesociety [at] hsus.org

===========================

SAMPLE LETTER & CONTACT INFO

Sample letters are prepared to give you ample background on an issue.

Try to change some words, pare down letters, and make them your own.

**DELETE ALL REFERENCES TO KINSHIP CIRCLE BEFORE SENDING**

===========================

To identify your federal legislators and find contact info, try:
Congress.org: www.Congress.org
USA Senate: www.senate.gov
USA House of Representatives: www.house.gov
Congressional Switchboard: 202-224-3121

The Honorable Representative _________________________________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Senators ______________________________________
The U.S. Senate, U.S. Capitol Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Representative _____________________ and Senators _____________________:

I am a registered voter in your district who firmly opposes Section 123 of the imminent House Farm Bill.

This careless stipulation blocks states from implementing their usual authority to ban practices judged adverse to public health, safety, and ethics. Section 123 means states could no longer prohibit horse slaughter for human consumption or the intensive confinement of animals on factory farms. Section 123 strips states of their power to police trafficking in exotic wild animals — an underground trade already outlawed in several states due to public endangerment and animal cruelty concerns.

Section 123 undercuts the democratic system. It sacrifices the right of citizens to pursue state or local laws regarding humane conduct or food safety. For example, many citizens disapprove of routine agricultural practices that disallow sufficient space and movement for animals.

Modern hog factories warehouse 600-pound sows in metal gestation stalls. Veal calves are chained by the neck inside two-feet-wide crates, unable to shift positions, flex muscles or die down with ease.

In November 2006, Arizona voters enacted measures to ban cruel veal crates and gestation crates for pregnant pigs. In 2002, a citizen initiative in Florida also outlawed gestation crates for breeding pigs.

If the Farm Bill containing Section 123 passes, it invalidates current state or municipal bans on gestation and veal crates, the forced tube feeding of ducks and geese to produce foie gras, and horse slaughter.

I respectfully implore you do everything possible to overturn Section 123 and any language that preempts state and local animal protection laws.

Thank you,

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts kinship circle brenda shoss farm bill section 123 state’s rights federal government state government environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist legislation powers food safety horse slaughter center for food safety pcrm Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine sapl Society for Animal Protective Legislation