The Show That Never Ends

4th March 2013

Link reblogged from Nothing Special with 425 notes

Fur Farming Myth vs. FACT →

weaselwoman:

petakills:

Animal rights zealots continue to make sensational accusations against the fur industry to attract media attention and solicit donations for their various campaigns and organizations. Their goal is to destroy the livelihoods and reputations of hundreds of family farmers, along with the supporting businesses; but their claims have no basis in fact. In reality, their sensationalist and unsubstantiated claims are insulting to American mink farmers and misleading to the public. Here are a few of the most common activist claims, along with the FACTS:

ANIMAL RIGHTS CLAIM:  Animals are routinely skinned alive for their fur.

FACT:  This scurrilous claim continues to circulate, due to the horrendous video produced in 2005 by Swiss Animal Protection (SAP), in which an Asiatic Raccoon is skinned alive somewhere in rural China.  When the video surfaced, the Chinese authorities demanded to know details in order to prosecute the collaborators on animal cruelty charges, but SAP has refused to provide the original, un-edited footage, or provide any information on the participants or the locations used in the video.   Upon further review,  audio indicates that the participants were being coached from behind the camera. Their refusal to answer to the authorities or the public leads most of us to believe that  this cruel and gruesome video was staged merely to further their animal rights agenda.  

  Respected media outlets have refused to air the video as its credibility cannot be established.  The fur industry is universally appalled by the video and fully supports prosecution of those involved in its creation. No legitimate fur producing operation would ever condone such practices. For more information on staged video used for animal rights propaganda, see Saving Society from Animal “Snuff” Films” and “Media Wary of Latest Shock Video”

ANIMAL RIGHTS CLAIM:  Mink are raised and killed solely for their fur.

FACT:  Although fur is the primary product for mink farmers, nothing is wasted. An important secondary product is the highly valued oil produced from the mink’s thick layer of subcutaneous fat. Mink oil is used to condition and preserve leather, and also in the manufacturing of hypo-allergenic facial oils and cosmetics. After harvesting, mink remains are used as crab bait, or processed into feed for wildlife preserves, zoos or aquariums. They also make a very sought-after ingredient for organic compost, or they may be rendered down to provide raw materials for a wide range of products, from pet food and paint, to tire-care product. Last but surely not least, the nutrient-rich manure from fur farms is in heavy demand as an organic crop fertilizer. 

ANIMAL RIGHTS CLAIM:  Farmed mink suffer and die painfully.

FACT: When it comes to euthanasia, fur farmers adhere strictly to the methods recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Thus the only method of euthanasia approved for mink in the U.S.  is gas; either pure carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. When harvest time comes, a mobile unit is brought to the animals’ pens to eliminate any stress that might be caused by transporting them long distances. The animals are placed inside an air-tight container and immediately rendered unconscious.  They die quickly and humanely.

ANIMAL RIGHTS CLAIM:  Fur is a vanity product, purchased only by the very wealthy.

FACT: Recent surveys indicate the number one reason people purchase a fur coat is for its warmth.  So it goes that fur sales increase when we experience colder winters, and decrease during milder weather cycles.  Produced by nature, fur is isothermic, providing exceptional insulation while being lightweight and beautiful.   Furthermore, today fur is available in combination with other materials (e.g., as trim on parkas) or in smaller pieces (scarves, headbands, vests, accessories) which makes fur very accessible for almost anyone.  Because each piece is hand-made individually by skilled artisans, fur products may often be more expensive than the synthetic outerwear mass produced in automated environments – but fur is also very long-lasting, which makes sense for the environment as well as for the pocketbook.

ANIMAL RIGHTS CLAIM:  Fur farming is an un-regulated business conducted behind closed doors.

FACT: Fur farming is governed by local, national and sometimes international humane regulations that are similar to regulations for other livestock operations, kennels, zoos or aquariums. Like all livestock farmers, fur farmers receive information and assistance from licensed veterinarians and agricultural extension officers, as well as professional associations. In addition, fur breeders’ associations in all major producing countries follow comprehensive animal husbandry practices developed in cooperation with scientists, veterinarians and animal-welfare authorities. There are set standards for nutrition and housing, veterinary care and humane harvesting. In the U.S., standards for mink farms are administered by Fur Commission USA, and for fox by the US Fox Shippers Council.  In addition to these, fur farms abide by a myriad of state and federal environmental statutes.

THIS

Regarding the skinning alive video, it was proved to have been staged by the German High Court in 2009. 

“ _{The German High Court found PeTA guilty of paying people to skin animals alive. The witness who committed this act for PeTA, a videographer, told the court that he didn’t understand why they wanted it done that way, but he needed the money. This video was made in a third world country and the prosecutor found the man in the video who skinned of the animal.}

_{The German High court also found PeTA’s vet who had made the charges against the agricultural industry in Germany guilty of making false charges and in the verdict required PeTA to turn over all information about their videos and to list all person in their videos so they could be contacted to determine the facts presented in the videos. To date, PeTA has not turned over any videos or information. One has to conclude that all of their videos on skinning animals alive were paid for by PeTA and therefore do not represent the norm. These organizations cannot stand up to the scrutiny of the courts as now PeTA and HSUS are being sued under the RICO act for racketeering}

_{Both HSUS and PeTA send out releases without any real studies performed. The German High court found PeTA guilty of staging videos and causing animal abuse. For years the public has been subjected to images of animal abuse that have been manipulated and staged. Such images have been used to damage the reputations of legitimate businesses. Legal action was taken against Dr. Edmund Haferbeck of PeTA Germany and a Board member after showing faked videos. This material had the effect of discrediting the quality security system and its legitimate partners.“We are pleased about this very clear outcome of the lawsuit against Dr. Haferbeck”,commentates Dr. Walter Scheuerl, the QS’ attorney on their success. In a parallel procedure against PeTA Germany and a PeTA Board member, the chamber ruled that PeTA must provide proof regarding the origin of the photos and the film footage which PeTA has been using.”}

(Source)

Tagged: furfur farming

Source: petakills