From Uncaged Campaigns:
Please ask your MP to sign our Early Day Motion and support the EU ban on animal testing of cosmetics

Dear friends

As you probably know, the first phase of the historic animal testing bans in the EU's Cosmetics Directive came into force in 2004. It's now illegal to supply any ‘cosmetic' product (which includes toiletries) containing ingredients which have been tested on animals where an EU-validated alternative test method exists.

Additional regulations are due to come into force in 2009 and 2013, leading to a total ban on the sale of cosmetics which contain ingredients or combination of ingredients which have been tested on animals for cosmetics purposes. This momentous law overcomes the drawbacks of unilateral action by one country and would save thousands of animals across the world every year.

These political initiatives are powerful boosts to Uncaged's consumer-focussed Global Boycott of Procter & Gamble (P&G), as a means of intensifying pressure on P&G (and other animal testing companies) to end their animal abuse.

However, the British Government, which is responsible for enforcing the Cosmetics Directive in this country, has no checks in place to determine whether manufacturers are obeying these laws.

So the big manufacturers like Procter & Gamble are continuing as they have always done, while lobbying to shift the next deadline back from 2009. Meanwhile the majority of the public believe animal testing for cosmetics is a thing of the past.

We are extremely concerned that the Cosmetics Directive is not being implemented, and that as a result the future deadlines will be missed. Ending the suffering of animals in cosmetics testing is a vital first step on the road to abolishing vivisection.

An MP has tabled a new Early Day Motion (EDM 1279) on our behalf, applauding the Boycott P&G campaign and calling on the Government to resist attempts to water down the Cosmetics Directive. The text of the EDM is at the end of this message.

Please could you take five minutes to write or email your local MP asking them to sign the EDM and help to ensure that the bans on the animal testing of cosmetics are implemented. You can lobby your MP via our 'Protecting Animals in Democracy' website at www.vote4animals.org.uk.

NO WAY OLAY
I also want to remind you about the 12th annual Global Boycott Procter and Gamble Day which is coming up soon on 17 May. This year's day of action comes hot on the heels of major media revelations about P&G's animal cruelty.

P&G are reeling after another expose in the national press that their Olay cosmetics are tested on animals. There is growing anger that animals continue to suffer for cosmetics in British shops, despite the UK ban on animal testing of cosmetics brought in 10 years ago. UK consumers are being duped into thinking that cosmetics are 'cruelty-free'.

By participating in Global Boycott P&G Day you can help tap into huge potential public support and so increase the pressure on P&G to stop animal testing. Please contact my colleague Max Newton urgently at max@uncaged.co.uk to join our international protests, or see visit www.uncaged.co.uk/pgday.htm.

Thank you very much for your continued support.

Best wishes
Dan

Dr Dan Lyons
Campaigns Director

Read on for the Early Day Motion...

Orion Pharma are one of the companies feeding Huntingdon the profits they need to survive. If it weren't for these companies paying them, then HLS simply wouldn't have enough money to continue. We need to inform the workers of these companies just what happens inside Huntingdon. Take action by contacting the employees of Orion Pharma to explain to them just exactly what does go on behind the razor wire. There is a sample letter below if you wish to use it. Please remember to remain polite at all times.

Sample Letter
Dear Sir/Madam

You may not be aware that HLS is the worlds most exposed animal testing laboratory. They have been caught out on film several times committing acts of cruelty both in the US and the UK. They have been caught punching beagles puppies, and cutting open live primates without pain killers. They have been exposed for shoddy work, and falsified data. During one study on wild caught baboons HLS broke the law over 520 times but were never prosecuted.

Last year, a senior scientist from HLS in the USA has filed a lawsuit after he claims he was being pressured into falsifying data. This is a sham of a company with a poor reputation and I should not think you would like to be associated with this.

I don't expect you to take my word for it but you can see the cruelty yourself, as shown on national TV: here. For other exposes into HLS, see: this page.

I urge Orion Pharma to stop dealing with a lab involved in such horrific animal cruelty.

Thank you for your time, and I do hope that you will be reconsidering your position and will not supply HLS.

Yours sincerely,

PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRWAYS (PIA) MAKE A STATEMENT
After pressure from our global supporters and demos in London.

PIA make an ethical statement and vow not to transport animals for experimentation. You may remember that in 2005, SHAC were made aware that PIA were involved in the transportation of animals for research to HLS. Rashid Farookee, who was the General Manager of PIA told protesters that they had previously shipped beagles from JFK airport to Manchester, for HLS. Haider Ali-Khan, the Cargo Manager of PIA stated that "shipping beagles is a lucrative $1 million business which broke no laws."

We are pleased to see that PIA have now taken an ethical stance on this, thank you to all our supporters.

This is their statement:
"This is to certify and confirm that PIA does not carry animals for experimental purposes on its global network. Furthermore, we undertake we shall not involve ourselves in the transportation of animals worldwide for testing purposes, as an ethical policy."

Salah Uddin - Director

Institute of Animal Technology (IAT) is holding its congress in Aviemore, Scotland in March.

MacDonald Highland Resorts (MAHR) in Aviemore, Scotland, is hosting the Institute of Animal Technology (IAT) Congress 2008, from 4th-6th March, finishing with the Congress Dinner and Dance Thursday evening. Vivisectors from the UK and abroad will be there. Planned presentations include; ‘Success in the face of protest’ by HLS. (So it looks like we’re invited to speak!). Also, delegates from: Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Imperial College London, etc.

MacDonald Higland Resorts are nestled within the Cairngorms National Park; there are four hotels within the resort - the luxurious 4 star Macdonald Highlands Hotel, the Academy Hotel and the newly acquired Macdonald Four Seasons and Aviemore Inn.

What you can do:
This hotel company has a right to know about the cruelty inflicted by members of IAT and what’s going on inside HLS by members of IAT, which is where you come in...

1 - Contact MacDonald Aviemore Highland Resorts urgently and tell them you will boycott them whilst they support animal cruelty. Let them know about IAT and Huntingdon’s appalling track record for animal cruelty!
2 - Organise leafleting, or peaceful demo's at your local MacDonald hotel and at the Congress itself. They have around 70 other sites in the UK and abroad.  

For your nearest MacDonald Hotel see: http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/popup/locationmap.htm
To order leaflets contact: info@shac.net.

Remember to please keep all correspondence informative and polite at all times.

"We at Transoma Medical and DSI do not deal with Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS)
or Life Sciences Research (LSR) and would not conduct business with them in the
future or via any third parties."

Brian Brockway
President, CEO and Chairman
Transoma Medical

This is the second company to ditch HLS this year!

A critical Analysis (undergradate submission) of British Medical Research Policy, with a particular focus on the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 - Cruelty to Animals Act 1876:
http://brighton.amnesty.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_17441.doc
{apologies for the unusual server application}

The Countryside Alliance's legal bid to overturn the ban on hunting with dogs failed yesterday. The pressure group claimed that the Hunting Act violates the human rights of people whose livelihood revolves around hunting, Law Lords dismissed the challenge along with a similar appeal from activists in Scotland. The Act must "be taken to reflect the conscience of a majority of the nation", said Lord Bingham in the unanimous ruling at The House of Lords.
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KOF adds: "Good stuff."

From The Metro:
A zoo sparked uproar among animal welfare groups on Wednesday by killing two endangered monkeys. Newquay Zoo said it had to 'euthanise' the black crested macaques because it could not find a suitable home for them. It put down the primates, named Venus and Ia, 'after much soul-searching'.

The zoo's director, Stewart Muir, said the two males had to be separated, which 'could not continue, as primates should never be kept alone'. But a monkey sanctuary, also in Cornwall, said Newquay Zoo never contacted it for help. Looe Monkey Sanctuary keeper Matt Thomas said: 'What they have done is horrendous.' Black crested macaques are the most endangered of the six macaque species, which live on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

Mr Muir argued that killing the monkeys would free up space to bring females into the zoo's breeding programme. He added: 'The only option was to put them to sleep. We all feel very sad but we are dedicated to the long-term conservation of this species.'

But Mr Thomas said: 'Monkeys can be kept apart by plastic and will still find being surrounded by other monkeys enthralling. 'They can be socialised. The zoo could have built new enclosures. To argue the monkeys can not get on – so let's kill both of them – is horrific.'

Species Survival Network chairman Ian Redmond said: 'People go to great lengths to rehome any animal, let alone animals that are endangered. It's very disappointing.'

And veteran animal rights activist David Bellamy said: 'I can't believe they would actually do that. We have a duty to protect endangered species. They must be bloody mad.'

Wrapping up in warm winter clothes, standing around a great big bonfire and watching amazing fireworks displays on bonfire night can be a highlight for many families during the month of November. But for cats, dogs and many other animals, it can be a terrifying time of year.

Here are some easy and helpful tips from PETA to ensure your companion animals are safe and happy on bonfire night and the time leading up to it.

Keep an eye on your animals. Ensure that all your animals are at home and safe before the fireworks and festivities begin. If animals are left outside after dark, they can be frightened by the loud noises and run off to hide, often not daring to leave their hiding places until the next day. Animals can also become scared and run out into the road.

Wherever possible, make sure your animals are inside. Leave your animals with their favourite toys in a room that is safe and familiar to them and where they feel relaxed and comfortable – preferably with a human companion. Remember to close the curtains, as the flashes from fireworks can frighten them just as much as the sounds.

Don't take dogs to bonfire events. The confusion of large crowds, roaring fires and fireworks can become too much for many dogs, and they might uncharacteristically lash out at passers-by. Dogs can also become curious because of the smells of discarded fireworks like sparklers and can easily get burned whilst sniffing around.

Keep human sweets out of the reach of animals. Many sweets can make animals sick – or even kill them! Try buying dog or cat treats to help keep your animals relaxed and happy during these events.

Everyone at PETA wishes you a safe and happy bonfire night. Please take care of your animal companions, and feel free to pass this information along to all your friends and family members.

Win Animal Rights (WAR) CALLS FOR GLOBAL DAY OF PROTEST AGAINST HUNTINGDON LIFE SCIENCES. NOV. 10, 2007
Stand in solidarity with SHAC UK as they March on HLS in their National Protest
On Saturday, November 10, 2007, WAR invites activists everywhere to join us in New York City where we will hold protests in solidarity with grassroots activists around the world, who will be speaking out to stop the killing at Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Initially we had considered protesting at HLS headquarters in East Millstone, New Jersey. Although, it is always uplifting and empowering to face the monsters at Huntingdon Life Sciences, where they do the killing; we have opted instead to protest at key locations in New York City. The executives of major HLS investors and customers are as responsible for the bloodshed at Huntingdon Life Sciences as any employee.

Date & Time: Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 2:00 PM
Starting Location: Home of HLS Chief Puppykiller Andrew Baker
Address: Central Park West & W. 88th Street, New York City

We will be visiting the homes of key executives of primary HLS customers and officials of the New York Stock Exchange. Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather appropriate clothing. Being comfortable will help you to fight harder and longer. If you are coming in from out of town and you need help with accommodation, feel free to contact us by e-mail at: centcom@war-online.org or by telephone at: 646-267-9934 and we will do our best to accomodate you. For those of you planning to spend the weekend, WAR will resume our regular protest shedule on Sunday, November 12, 2007. So, if you can, plan on making it a full weekend of action against the puppy killing scum of Huntingdon Life Sciences.

After the protests, you are invited to join us for dinner at a local vegan restaurant, where we will have a special guest speaker. Details to be announced shortly.

For more info contact Win Animal Rights at: centcom@war-online.org
Call: 646.267.9934 or visit the WAR website at: war-online.org