Campaign News
English badgers reprieved
The government had decided not to go ahead with the cull of badgers in England. Ministers have accepted the results of the Independent Scientific Group on TB in Cattle which concluded that a widespread cull would not be effective. Lord Krebs who designed the trials said 'It's not practical to carry out that kind of scorched-earth cull over a prolonged period for a policy that may not even work'. The news is welcomed by the League and millions of of the British public who do not want to see thousands of these wild animals killed unnecessarily.
Bill Bailey Signs World Wide Pledge
Never Mind the Buzzcocks star Bill Bailey is throwing his weight behind the League's
bullfighting campaign.
The actor and comedian said: 'I am delighted that the League has joined with our European friends to put an end to bullfighting. I have signed the World Wide Bullfighting Pledge and I urge everyone else to do so. Bullfighting has to go!
Over 20,000 people have now signed the League's pledge, which was launched just a few weeks ago by Coronation Street star, Lucy Evans.
Coming soon: Look out for Lucy Evans' video diaries when she visits Spain to discover some of the many ethical alternatives to bullfighting.
Rare Red Kite shot dead
A senseless killing of a rare and protected Red Kite has taken place in the Scottish
borders, where it was found with shotgun wounds to the wing and body.
The animal was a female in good breeding condition and wildlife crime investigators have been shocked and sickened by the attack saying 'the red Kite is very distinctive, there is no way it could have been mistaken for a crow'.
The killing comes in spite of recent calls from MSPs for a crack down on wildlife crime. The SSPCA has set up a 24-hour hotline on 0870 2404832 for anyone to report information about the shooting.
Louise Robertson, Scottish Campaigner for the League said: 'Most people in Scotland are proud of our wildlife. It saddens me that people set out to deliberately destroy it. We must be tough on those who flout the law'
Visit the League's Blog for further comment on this story and to have your say.
Fans urged to pull-up Blunt on bullfighting blunder
Last month the League learned that musician, James Blunt, is to perform at a
concert in a bullring in Lisbon, Portugal.
That may sound innocent but the truth is that proceeds from the event will be used to support the bullring for its intended purpose: bullfighting
Earlier this year Ben & Jerrys ice-cream withdrew their support from an event in the same bullring after the League alerted them to the fact that a bullfight would take place as part of the proceedings.
The League wrote to James Blunt's agent to ask that he moves the concert or make a statement against bullfighting at the concert. We have, however, not received a reply and are therefore calling upon fans of the musician to let him know how they feel by writing to him or emailing him via his agents. A suggested text and contact details can be downloaded here.
Päivi Vahvelainen, Bullfighting Campaigner at the League said: 'I'd hoped that once James had been made aware of what he is doing he would withdraw or at least agree not to perform in a bullfighting arena again. As a fan, I'm really disappointed that he hasn't bothered to respond at all.'
Support for ban on bullfighting grows
An open seminar held in the European Parliament in Brussels has agreed that bullfighting
must be abolished.
The meeting, which was chaired by Green MEP Caroline Lucas and attended by animal welfare experts, veterinary scientists, economists and politicians delivered strong arguments against bullfighting. 80 MEPs also signed a life size bull in support of the anti-bullfighting movement.
The seminar coincided with the 2nd International Anti-Bullfighting Summit with
25 groups from Europe and Latin America.
Florian Leppla, the League's bullfighting campaigner said: 'We are very grateful
for this vital support. There is no doubt, bullfighting is not only cruel but
also lacks economic credibility and is indeed unpopular in the bullfighting countries.'
For further information see Caroline Lucas's article in the New Statesman
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