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£1.1m ‘booster’ for campaign to save red squirrels

A%20new%20animal%20welfare%20law%20in%20the%20UK%20may%20soon%20recognize%20decapods%2C%20like%20lobsters%20and%20crabs%2C%20and%20cephalopods%2C%20like%20octopi%2C%20as%20sentient%20beings.%20The%20classification%20means%20that%20the%20government%20would%20officially%20recognize%20that%20these%20animals%20feel%20pain.%0AThis%20distinction%20will%20then%20need%20to%20be%20considered%20in%20future%20policymaking%20decisions.%0A%0AThe%20proposal%20is%20an%20extension%20to%20the%20UK's%20existing%20Animal%20Welfare%20(Sentience)%20Bill%2C%20which%20originally%20categorizes%20all%20animals%20with%20backbones%20as%20sentient%20creatures.%20The%20new%20additions%20for%20decapods%20and%20cephalopods%20would%20add%20several%20invertebrates%20to%20the%20law%2C%20including%20lobsters%2C%20crab%2C%20shrimp%2C%20octopi%2C%20and%20squid%2C%20all%20of%20which%20are%20often%20caught%20and%20slaughtered%20brutally%20for%20consumption.%0A%0AThere%20will%20be%20no%20immediate%20effect%20on%20current%20industry%20practices%20or%20restaurant%20kitchens%20should%20the%20bill%20pass%2C%20but%20it%20does%20set%20the%20stage%20to%20create%20new%20laws%20and%20protections%20for%20these%20animals.%20For%20example%2C%20it%20could%20prohibit%20the%20act%20of%20boiling%20lobsters%20alive%20%E2%80%94%20common%20in%20cooking%20%E2%80%94%20because%20of%20their%20ability%20to%20feel%20pain%20and%20suffering.%20Switzerland%2C%20Norway%2C%20and%20New%20Zealand%20already%20ban%20this%20practice.%20It%20may%20also%20introduce%20more%20humane%20ways%20of%20capturing%20the%20animals.%0A%0AA%20recent%20report%20from%20the%20London%20School%20of%20Economics%20found%20evidence%20of%20sentience%20in%20decapods%20and%20cephalopods%20through%20analysis%20of%20more%20than%20300%20studies.%20The%20researchers%20used%20eight%20criteria%20for%20determining%20likelihood%20of%20sentience%2C%20such%20as%20possession%20of%20nociceptors%2C%20responses%20to%20anaesthetics%20or%20analgesics%2C%20and%20whether%20or%20not%20the%20animals%20exhibited%20self-protecting%20tactics%20when%20injured%20or%20threatened.%20The%20authors%20found%20it%20very%20likely%20for%20these%20creatures%20to%20feel%20pain.%0A%0A%22In%20the%20light%20of%20these%20evaluations%2C%20the%20authors%20make%20a%20strong%20recommendation%20that%20all%20cephalopod%20molluscs%20and%20decapod%20crustaceans%20should%20be%20regarded%20as%20sentient%20animals%20for%20the%20purposes%20of%20UK%20animal%20welfare%20law%2C%22%20Nicola%20S.%20Clayton%2C%20professor%20of%20comparative%20cognition%20at%20University%20of%20Cambridge%2C%20said%20in%20the%20report.%20%22They%20recommend%20against%20declawing%2C%20nicking%2C%20eyestalk%20ablation%20and%20the%20sale%20of%20live%20decapod%20crustaceans%20to%20untrained%2C%20non-expert%20handlers%2C%20and%20they%20include%20suggestions%20for%20best%20practices%20for%20transport%2C%20stunning%20and%20slaughter.%22%0A%0AThe%20government%20responded%20with%20a%20proposed%20expansion%20of%20the%20Animal%20Welfare%20Bill%20to%20include%20cephalopods%20and%20decapods.%20The%20proposal%20is%20currently%20making%20its%20way%20through%20the%20UK%20Parliament's%20House%20of%20Lords%2C%20then%20it%20will%20move%20to%20the%20House%20of%20Commons.%0A%0A%0A%22The%20UK%20has%20always%20led%20the%20way%20on%20animal%20welfare%20and%20our%20Action%20Plan%20for%20Animal%20Welfare%20goes%20even%20further%20by%20setting%20out%20our%20plans%20to%20bring%20in%20some%20of%20the%20strongest%20protections%20in%20the%20world%20for%20pets%2C%20livestock%20and%20wild%20animals%2C%22%20Animal%20Welfare%20Minister%20Lord%20Zac%20Goldsmith%20said%20in%20a%20press%20release.%20%22The%20Animal%20Welfare%20Sentience%20Bill%20provides%20a%20crucial%20assurance%20that%20animal%20wellbeing%20is%20rightly%20considered%20when%20developing%20new%20laws.%20The%20science%20is%20now%20clear%20that%20decapods%20and%20cephalopods%20can%20feel%20pain%20and%20therefore%20it%20is%20only%20right%20they%20are%20covered%20by%20this%20vital%20piece%20of%20legislation.

UK Animal Welfare Law Would Recognize Lobsters, Crabs, Octopuses as Sentient Beings

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Netherlands radically reduce livestock numbers

The%20Italian%20Senate%20has%20voted%20to%20approve%20an%20amendment%20to%20the%20budget%20law%20that%20will%20close%20the%20remaining%20ten%20mink%20farms%20in%20Italy%20within%20six%20months%20and%20ban%20fur%20farming%20throughout%20the%20country.%0A%0AThe%20decision%20came%20about%20after%20talks%20with%20Humane%20Society%20International%2FEurope%2C%20which%20offered%20practical%20strategies%20in%20its%20report%20Mink%20breeding%20in%20Italy%3A%20Mapping%20and%20future%20perspectives%20for%20closing%20fur%20farms%20and%20converting%20them%20into%20businesses%20that%20are%20humane%20and%20sustainable.%20Following%20approval%20of%20the%20resolution%20by%20Parliament%2C%20Italy%20will%20become%20the%2016th%20European%20country%20to%20ban%20fur%20farming.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThere%20are%20very%20clear%20economic%2C%20environmental%2C%20public%20health%20and%20of%20course%20animal%20welfare%20reasons%20to%20close%20and%20ban%20fur%20farms%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20the%20director%20of%20Humane%20Society%20International%20in%20Italy%2C%20Martina%20Pluda%2C%20Humane%20Society%20International%20reported.%20%E2%80%9CToday%E2%80%99s%20vote%20recognizes%20that%20allowing%20the%20mass%20breeding%20of%20wild%20animals%20for%20frivolous%20fur%20fashion%20represents%20a%20risk%20to%20both%20animals%20and%20people%20that%20can%E2%80%99t%20be%20justified%20by%20the%20limited%20economic%20benefits%20it%20offers%20to%20a%20small%20minority%20of%20people%20involved%20in%20this%20cruel%20industry.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20amendment%20requires%20all%20active%20fur%20farms%20in%20Italy%20be%20closed%20by%20June%2030%2C%202022.%20It%20also%20includes%20an%20immediate%20ban%20on%20the%20breeding%20of%20mink%2C%20foxes%2C%20raccoon%20dogs%20and%20chinchillas%2C%20according%20to%20Humane%20Society%20International.%20To%20help%20ease%20the%20transition%2C%20fur%20farmers%20will%20be%20compensated%20%E2%82%AC3%20million%20by%20the%20Ministry%20of%20Agriculture%20in%202022%2C%20reported%20VegNews.%0A%0AFur%20has%20been%20falling%20out%20of%20favor%20in%20the%20fashion%20world%2C%20with%20major%20brands%20like%20GUCCI%2C%20Prada%2C%20Valentino%20and%20Versace%20banning%20the%20use%20of%20fur%20in%20their%20collections%2C%20and%20large%20retailers%20like%20Saks%20Fifth%20Avenue%20and%20Macy%E2%80%99s%20no%20longer%20selling%20it.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWith%20so%20many%20designers%2C%20retailers%2C%20and%20consumers%20going%20fur-free%2C%20conversion%20of%20fur%20farms%20offers%20people%20a%20sustainable%20future%20that%20the%20fur%20trade%20simply%20cannot%20provide%2C%E2%80%9D%20Pluda%20said%2C%20VegNews%20reported.%0A%0AFur%20farming%20also%20presents%20COVID-19%20risks%2C%20as%20many%20mink%20farms%20in%20Europe%20discovered%20the%20presence%20of%20the%20virus%20early%20in%20the%20pandemic.%20COVID-19%20outbreaks%20have%20been%20reported%20at%20465%20mink%20fur%20farms%20in%2012%20countries%2C%20including%20Italy%2C%20the%20U.S.%20and%20Canada.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIn%20thirty%20years%20of%20animal%20rights%20battle%20this%20is%20the%20best%20victory.%20Finally%2C%20a%20parliamentary%20vote%20sanctions%20the%20end%20of%20unspeakable%20suffering%20inflicted%20on%20animals%20only%20in%20the%20name%20of%20profit%20and%20vanity%2C%E2%80%9D%20remarked%20Hon.%20Michela%20Vittoria%20Brambilla%2C%20president%20of%20the%20Parliamentary%20Intergroup%20for%20Animal%20Rights%20in%20Italy%2C%20according%20to%20the%20Greek%20Reporter.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20a%20great%20achievement%2C%20which%20finally%20all%20those%20who%20love%20and%20respect%20animals%20rejoice!%E2%80%9D%20Brambilla%20added%2C%20as%20Humane%20Society%20International%20reported.

Italy to Ban Fur Farming and Shut Down Mink Farms

A%20landmark%20court%20ruling%20has%20led%20Ecuador%20to%20become%20the%20first%20country%20in%20the%20world%20to%20give%20legal%20rights%20to%20wild%20animals.%0A%0AThe%20ruling%20came%20after%20a%20woolly%20monkey%20was%20moved%20from%20its%20home%20to%20a%20zoo%20and%20died%20a%20week%20later.%20The%20monkey%2C%20named%20Estrellita%2C%20was%20taken%20from%20the%20wild%20at%20one%20month%20old%20and%20kept%20as%20a%20pet%20for%2018%20years%20by%20librarian%20Ana%20Beatriz%20Burbano%20Proa%C3%B1o.%0A%0AOwning%20wild%20animals%20is%20illegal%20in%20Ecuador%20so%20the%20pet%20was%20seized%20by%20authorities%20in%202019%20and%20after%20being%20taken%20to%20a%20zoo%20she%20passed%20away.%0A%0ABefore%20knowing%20that%20she%20has%20died%2C%20her%20owner%20filed%20a%20habeas%20corpus%20petition%20-%20a%20legal%20mechanism%20to%20determine%20if%20the%20detention%20of%20an%20individual%20is%20valid.%20She%20asked%20for%20Estrellita%20to%20be%20returned%20to%20her%20and%20for%20the%20court%20to%20declare%20that%20the%20monkey%E2%80%99s%20rights%20had%20been%20violated.%0A%0ALast%20December%2C%20the%20court%20ruled%20in%20favour%20of%20Ana%20Beatriz%20Burbano%20Proa%C3%B1o%20but%20also%20added%20that%20the%20animal%E2%80%99s%20rights%20had%20been%20violated%20when%20it%20was%20removed%20from%20its%20natural%20habitat.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20verdict%20raises%20animal%20rights%20to%20the%20level%20of%20the%20constitution%2C%20the%20highest%20law%20of%20Ecuador%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Ecuadorian%20environmental%20lawyer%20Hugo%20Echeverr%C3%ADa.%0A%0AIn%202008%20Ecuador%20became%20the%20first%20country%20in%20the%20world%20to%20recognise%20nature%20as%20a%20legal%20entity%2C%20enshrining%20the%20right%20of%20its%20people%20to%20live%20in%20a%20healthy%20environment%20in%20its%20constitution.%20Echeverr%C3%ADa%20adds%20that%20while%20the%20rights%20of%20nature%20were%20already%20part%20of%20the%20constitution%2C%20it%20was%20not%20clear%20whether%20individual%20wild%20animals%20could%20benefit%20from%20them.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20Court%20has%20stated%20that%20animals%20are%20subject%20of%20rights%2C%20protected%20by%20rights%20of%20nature.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AIt%20is%20thought%20to%20be%20the%20first%20time%20the%20law%20around%20the%20rights%20of%20nature%20has%20been%20applied%20in%20a%20court.%0A%0AWhat%20does%20this%20mean%20for%20Ecuador%E2%80%99s%20wild%20animals%3F%0A%0AWithin%20the%20case%2C%20the%20court%20also%20noted%20that%20%E2%80%9Cwild%20species%20and%20their%20individuals%20have%20the%20right%20not%20to%20be%20hunted%2C%20fished%2C%20captured%2C%20collected%2C%20extracted%2C%20kept%2C%20retained%2C%20trafficked%2C%20traded%20or%20exchanged.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AIt%20added%20that%20these%20rights%20come%20from%20the%20animals%E2%80%99%20own%20value%2C%20not%20their%20value%20to%20humans%20making%20it%20clear%20that%20animals%20have%20the%20power%20to%20enforce%20these%20rights%20in%20a%20court.%0A%0AAlso%20included%20was%20a%20call%20for%20Ecuador%E2%80%99s%20Ministry%20of%20the%20Environment%20to%20create%20more%20rules%20and%20procedures%20to%20ensure%20that%20the%20constitutional%20rights%20of%20wild%20animals%20are%20respected.%0A%0AColombia%2C%20New%20Zealand%2C%20Panama%2C%20Chile%20and%20Mexico%20have%20also%20granted%20nature%20legal%20protection%2C%20either%20through%20their%20constitution%20or%20court%20system.

 Wild animals in Ecuador now have legal rights

This%20Ukrainian%20rights%20organisation%20is%20fighting%20to%20protect%20animals%20from%20the%20impact%20of%20the%20Russian%20invasion.%0A%0AUAnimals%20has%20uncovered%20a%20string%20of%20rights%20violations%20across%20the%20country%20-%20inflicted%20not%20just%20against%20civilians%2C%20but%20against%20the%20creatures%20they%20were%20forced%20to%20leave%20behind.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWhen%20the%20war%20started%2C%20we%20realised%20every%20day%20that%20it's%20becoming%20worse%20and%20worse%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Olha%20Chevhaniuk%2C%20co-founder%20and%20CEO%20of%20the%20rescue%20force.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20Russians%20shoot%20adults%2C%20children%20and%20even%20animals.%20They%20have%20no%20moral%20values%20at%20all.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AWhat%20dangers%20are%20the%20animals%20in%20Ukraine%20facing%3F%0A%0AOperating%20across%20a%20network%20of%20bomb%20shelters%2C%20abandoned%20towns%20and%20bombarded%20cities%2C%20UAnimals%20locates%20and%20rescues%20displaced%20creatures%20caught%20up%20in%20the%20conflict.%0A%0ATheir%20members%20scour%20the%20country%20in%20search%20of%20at-risk%20animals%20-%20some%20of%20which%20have%20been%20without%20food%2C%20water%20and%20shelter%20for%20weeks%20on%20end.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20found%20a%20shelter%20in%20Borodyanka%20where%20animals%20were%20left%20in%20locked%20cages%2C%E2%80%9D%20continues%20Chevhaniuk.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThere%20were%20485%20dogs%20there%20at%20the%20start%20of%20the%20war.%20Yesterday%20our%20volunteers%20were%20able%20to%20reach%20it%2C%20and%20only%20150%20dogs%20were%20still%20alive.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThere%20was%20no%20food%2C%20no%20water.%20Hundreds%20just%20died%2C%20suffering.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20organisation%20says%20this%20is%20a%20familiar%20story%20all%20across%20the%20country%2C%20where%20thousands%20of%20animals%20remain%20trapped%20due%20to%20the%20conflict.%0A%0AUAnimals%20is%20appealing%20for%20so-called%20%E2%80%98green%20corridors%E2%80%99%20to%20be%20established%20-%20demilitarised%20zones%20which%20would%20act%20as%20evacuation%20routes%20for%20some%20of%20Ukraine%E2%80%99s%20threatened%20creatures.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCurrently%20it%E2%80%99s%20only%20once%20our%20army%20is%20able%20to%20reach%20these%20territories%20that%20we%20are%20able%20to%20deliver%20food%2C%20search%20for%20cages%2C%20provide%20transport%2C%20veterinary%20doctors%20and%20whatever%20else%20we%20need%20to%20save%20the%20animals%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Chevhaniuk.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CHaving%20green%20corridors%20to%20animal%20shelters%20is%20super%20important%20and%20would%20save%20lives.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AEnd%20the%20war%20in%20order%20to%20end%20the%20suffering%0A%0AWhile%20many%20of%20the%20UAnimals%20team%20remain%20underground%2C%20its%20co-founder%2C%20Oleksandr%20Todorchuk%2C%20has%20joined%20the%20Ukrainian%20army.%0A%0AHe%20is%20one%20of%20many%20civilians%20who%20have%20taken%20up%20arms%20after%20the%20Russian%20invasion.%20But%20despite%20recent%20success%20on%20the%20battlefield%2C%20Chevhaniuk%20and%20her%20team%20know%20that%20the%20only%20real%20solution%20to%20the%20war%20is%20peace.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20can%20only%20stop%20the%20suffering%20of%20animals%20if%20we%20stop%20the%20suffering%20of%20people%20first%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20says.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CI%20believe%20in%20victory.%20I%20just%20hope%20it%20will%20come%20as%20soon%20as%20possible.%E2%80%9D

Volunteers saving Ukraine’s animals from war

The%20Mykolaiv%20Zoo's%204%2C000%20wild%20animals%20are%20trapped%20by%20the%20war%20in%20Ukraine.%20As%20air%20raid%20sirens%20wail%20across%20the%20southern%20city%2C%20a%20leopard%20brushes%20nervously%20against%20the%20bars%20of%20his%20cage.%0A%0AIt%20is%20difficult%20to%20tell%20whether%20the%20Amur%20leopard%20is%20rattled%20by%20the%20piercing%20sound%20or%20by%20the%20unusual%20sight%20of%20strangers%2C%20more%20than%20three%20weeks%20after%20the%20zoo%20was%20closed%20to%20visitors%2C%20says%20zoologist%20Viktor%20Dyakonov.%0A%0AThe%20first%20rocket%20that%20landed%20on%20the%20zoo%2C%20on%2027%20February%2C%20tore%20up%20the%20walkway%20between%20the%20tiger%20and%20polar%20bear%20enclosures%20and%20is%20now%20on%20display%20in%20the%20museum%20of%20the%20zoo%2C%20which%20was%20founded%20more%20than%20120%20years%20ago.%0A%0AThankfully%2C%20no%20staff%20or%20animals%20were%20wounded%20in%20the%20attack.%0A%0ABut%20the%20episode%20was%20very%20stressful%2C%20with%20a%20tank%20battle%20600%20metres%20from%20the%20zoo%2C%20says%20the%20museum's%20director%20Volodymyr%20Topchyi.%0A%0ASince%20then%2C%20three%20more%20rockets%20have%20landed%20in%20the%20zoo%2C%20including%20one%20in%20an%20aviary.%20The%20other%20two%20hit%20near%20the%20zoo's%20administrative%20offices.%20And%20there%20could%20be%20more%20coming.%20Fighting%20is%20ongoing%20as%20the%20city%20holds%20a%20key%20river%20crossing%2C%20which%20Russian%20troops%20need%20to%20capture%20in%20order%20to%20push%20towards%20Ukraine's%20top%20Black%20Sea%20port%20of%20Odessa.%0A%0AEvacuation%20is%20not%20possible%0AThere%20are%20400%20species%20present%20in%20the%20zoo%20and%20nearly%20half%20of%20them%20are%20on%20the%20international%20red%20list%20of%20threatened%20species%2C%20says%20the%20zoo's%20director.%0A%0ABut%20their%20evacuation%20is%20not%20feasible.%20%22There%20aren't%20enough%20vehicles%20to%20transport%20the%20animals%20and%20the%20only%20road%20towards%20Odessa%20is%20clogged%20with%20traffic%2C%22%20says%20Topchyi.%0A%0A%22And%20it's%20still%20very%20cold.%20If%20we%20take%20the%20giraffes%2C%20the%20elephants%20and%20the%20hippopotamuses%2C%20there's%20a%20risk%20they%20won't%20survive%2C%22%20he%20adds.%0A%0ATopchyi%20ruled%20out%20abandoning%20the%20animals%20and%20praised%20the%20heroic%20work%20of%20about%20100%20staff%20members%20who%20continue%20to%20take%20care%20of%20their%20charges%2C%20even%20sleeping%20at%20the%20zoo%20to%20reduce%20the%20number%20of%20dangerous%20trips%20across%20the%20city.%0A%0AEven%20though%20the%20zoo%20is%20closed%20to%20visitors%2C%20the%20public%20has%20continued%20to%20buy%20tickets%2C%20with%20people%20posting%20their%20support%20for%20the%20zoo%20on%20Facebook.

Ukraine’s biggest zoo is caught in the crossfire

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Australia vows new plan to stop extinction crisis

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New York bans retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits

The%20Icelandic%20government%20suspended%20whale%20hunting%20for%20the%20rest%20of%20the%20summer%20on%20Tuesday%2C%20following%20a%20report%20that%20found%20the%20practice%20contravenes%20the%20country's%20animal%20welfare%20standards.%0A%0A%22I%20have%20taken%20the%20decision%20to%20suspend%20whaling%22%20until%20August%2031%2C%20Food%20Minister%20Svandis%20Svavarsdottir%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AIceland's%20Food%20and%20Veterinary%20Authority%20recently%20concluded%20that%20the%20killing%20of%20whales%20during%20the%20hunt%20took%20too%20long%2C%20according%20to%20the%20Animal%20Welfare%20Act%2C%20and%20provided%20a%20video%20showing%20a%20whale%20being%20hunted%20for%20five%20hours.%0A%0AThe%20fate%20of%20Iceland's%20whale%20hunters%0A%0AThe%20practice%20has%20declined%20in%20recent%20years%2C%20thanks%20to%20suspensions%20in%20previous%20years%20and%20in%20large%20part%20to%20a%20drop%20in%20demand%20for%20whale%20meat.%0A%0ABut%20this%20year's%20suspension%2C%20which%20likely%20means%20that%20the%20hunt%20will%20not%20take%20place%20at%20all%20due%20to%20the%20limited%20season%2C%20may%20signal%20the%20end%20for%20Iceland's%20whale%20hunters.%0A%0AOnly%20one%20whaling%20company%20remains%20active%20and%20its%20license%20is%20set%20to%20expire%20this%20year.%20Whalers%20are%20allowed%20to%20kill%20up%20to%20209%20fin%20whales%20and%20217%20mink%20whales%20but%20catches%20have%20often%20been%20low.%0A%0APolls%20have%20also%20shown%20that%20the%20general%20public%20in%20Iceland%20has%20also%20turned%20against%20the%20traditional%20whale%20hunt%2C%20with%2051%25%20saying%20in%20June%20that%20they%20were%20opposed.%0A%0AIceland's%20booming%20tourist%20industry%2C%20which%20includes%20popular%20whale-watching%20tours%2C%20is%20also%20in%20direct%20opposition%20to%20the%20hunt.%0A%0A%22If%20the%20government%20and%20licensees%20cannot%20guarantee%20welfare%20requirements%2C%20these%20activities%20do%20not%20have%20a%20future%2C%22%20Svavarsdottir%20said.%0A%0ACalls%20for%20permanent%20ban%20continue%0A%0AThe%20move%20drew%20praise%20from%20animal%20rights%20groups%2C%20amid%20calls%20for%20a%20further%20complete%20ban.%0A%0A%22Whales%20already%20face%20so%20many%20serious%20threats%20in%20the%20oceans%20from%20pollution%2C%20climate%20change%2C%20entanglement%20in%20fish%20nets%20and%20ship%20strikes%2C%20that%20ending%20cruel%20commercial%20whaling%20is%20the%20only%20ethical%20conclusion%2C%22%20Humane%20Society%20International's%20director%20Ruud%20Tombrock%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0ABesides%20Iceland%2C%20only%20Norway%20and%20Japan%20allow%20whale%20hunting.%20Robert%20Read%20of%20Sea%20Shepherd%20UK%20called%20the%20suspension%20%22a%20huge%20blow%22%20to%20whaling%20in%20general.%0A%0A%22If%20whaling%20can't%20be%20done%20humanely%20here...%20it%20can't%20be%20done%20humanely%20anywhere%2C%22%20he%20said.%0A%0AThe%20Icelandic%20government%20said%20that%20the%20minister%20would%20seek%20expert%20and%20stakeholder%20opinions%20on%20possible%20future%20limitations%20to%20whaling.

Iceland suspends annual whale hunt

Paris%20will%20ban%20pony%20rides%20for%20children%20in%20its%20public%20parks%20from%202025%20following%20a%20campaign%20by%20animal%20rights%20activists%20who%20argue%20that%20the%20ponies%20are%20not%20well%20treated.%0A%0APony%20rides%20have%20been%20a%20popular%20feature%20in%20Paris%20parks%20like%20Champ%20de%20Mars%2C%20Parc%20Monceau%20and%20Parc%20du%20Luxembourg%20for%20decades%2C%20mostly%20on%20the%20weekends%20and%20during%20school%20holidays.%0A%0AAnimal%20rights%20groups%20have%20campaigned%20for%20years%20to%20ban%20the%20rides%2C%20arguing%20that%20ponies%20have%20to%20work%20long%20days%20without%20ever%20having%20their%20bit%20removed%2C%20have%20no%20permanent%20access%20to%20fresh%20water%20and%20hay%2C%20and%20suffer%20hours%20in%20transport%20trucks%20into%20town.%0A%0A%22Ponies%20are%20not%20toys.%20Children%20learn%20nothing%20about%20them%20from%20these%20walks%2C%20no%20emotional%20link%20is%20created.%20It%20just%20turns%20ponies%20into%20entertainment%20objects%2C%22%20Paris%20Animaux%20Zoopolis%20(PAZ)%20activist%20Amandine%20Sansivens%20said.%0A%0AA%20PAZ%20petition%20to%20ban%20the%20rides%20has%20gathered%20more%20than%208%2C400%20signatures.%0A%0AAfter%20introducing%20a%20charter%20for%20the%20well-being%20of%20ponies%20in%202021%2C%20city%20hall%20last%20month%20decided%20to%20phase%20out%20the%20ride%20operators'%20licences.%0A%0AStephane%20Michaud%2C%20director%20of%20AnimaPoney%20-%20which%20operated%20pony%20rides%20in%20several%20Paris%20parks%20but%20has%20now%20closed%20half%20of%20these%20-%20said%20his%20ponies%20work%20only%20about%20150%20days%20per%20year.%0A%0AAt%20his%20Rambouillet%20pony%20center%20south%20of%20Paris%2C%20he%20said%20that%20from%20the%20nineties%20he%20had%20started%20bringing%20ponies%20from%20the%20countryside%20into%20Paris%20because%20at%20the%20time%20ponies%20were%20kept%20in%20stables%20in%20the%20city%20in%20less-than-optimal%20conditions.%0A%0A%22I%20have%20been%20working%20with%20ponies%20for%2035%20years%2C%20I%20know%20their%20needs.%20They%20have%20everything%20they%20need%2C%22%20he%20said.%0A%0AParisians%20taking%20their%20offspring%20on%20a%20pony%20ride%20had%20doubts%20about%20the%20ban.%0A%0A%22For%20the%20kids%20it%20is%20a%20treat.%20They%20love%20the%20contact%20with%20the%20ponies%2C%22%20said%20Celine%20Papouin%2C%20whose%20daughter%20confidently%20sat%20astride%20a%20pony%20in%20Parc%20Monceau.%0A%0AMeryem%2C%2063%2C%20walking%20with%20two%20ponies%20on%20a%20leash%2C%20each%20carrying%20one%20grandchild%2C%20said%20if%20the%20rides%20are%20banned%2C%20city%20hall%20should%20explain%20its%20reasons.%0A%0A%22But%20then%20what%20else%20do%20we%20need%20to%20stop%3F%20Horseback%20riding%2C%20mounted%20police%2C%20breeding%20race%20horses%3F%22%20she%20said.

Paris bans pony rides for children in public parks

The%20export%20of%20livestock%20for%20slaughter%20and%20fattening%20will%20be%20permanently%20banned%20under%20legislation%20announced%20in%20the%20King%E2%80%99s%20Speech.%0A%0AThe%20Government%E2%80%99s%20previous%20attempt%20to%20impose%20a%20ban%20as%20part%20of%20wider%20animal%20welfare%20reforms%20was%20scrapped%20earlier%20this%20year%2C%20but%20the%20new%20law%20will%20be%20more%20tightly%20focused%20on%20exports.%0A%0AIt%20will%20ban%20the%20export%20of%20cattle%2C%20sheep%2C%20goats%2C%20pigs%20and%20horses%20in%20a%20move%20welcomed%20by%20campaigners%2C%20including%20actress%20Dame%20Joanna%20Lumley%2C%20who%20have%20long%20called%20for%20a%20prohibition.%0A%0ALive%20exports%20will%20still%20be%20permitted%20in%20some%20circumstances%2C%20including%20racehorses%20being%20allowed%20to%20move%20for%20breeding%20and%20races.%0A%0AIf%20the%20Animal%20Welfare%20(Livestock%20Exports)%20Bill%20passes%2C%20it%20will%20prevent%20animals%20being%20sent%20to%20the%20continent%20for%20slaughter%20from%20England%2C%20but%20the%20UK%20Government%20plans%20to%20work%20with%20the%20administrations%20in%20Scotland%20and%20Wales%20to%20make%20this%20apply%20across%20Great%20Britain.%0A%0AThe%20measure%20is%20possible%20as%20a%20result%20of%20Brexit%2C%20which%20allows%20the%20UK%20to%20break%20away%20from%20the%20European%20Union%E2%80%99s%20rules%20governing%20live%20animal%20exports.%0A%0AAlthough%20no%20animals%20have%20been%20exported%20for%20slaughter%20since%20the%20Government%20announced%20its%20intention%20to%20ban%20the%20practice%20in%202021%2C%20the%20legislation%20will%20ensure%20this%20is%20put%20on%20a%20permanent%20basis.%0A%0AThe%20Bill%20also%20includes%20promises%20of%20money%20for%20farmers%20to%20improve%20animal%20welfare%20conditions%20and%20a%20%C2%A34%20million%20fund%20for%20smaller%20abattoirs.%0A%0ADame%20Joanna%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20absolutely%20marvellous%20news.%20Now%20the%20Government%20must%20deliver%20and%20ban%20the%20archaic%20practice%20of%20transporting%20live%20animals%20on%20long%20and%20arduous%20journeys%20overseas%20for%20slaughter%20or%20fattening%20once%20and%20for%20all.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CExporting%20live%20animals%20is%20utterly%20unnecessary.%20They%20suffer%20enormous%20stress%2C%20exhaustion%2C%20dehydration%20and%20overcrowding.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20have%20seen%20a%20series%20of%20broken%20promises%20from%20Government%20on%20this%20subject%20over%20the%20years%2C%20so%20this%20is%20very%20welcome%20news.%20This%20Bill%20must%20now%20be%20passed%20as%20a%20matter%20of%20urgency.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ACompassion%20in%20World%20Farming%E2%80%99s%20chief%20public%20affairs%20manager%20James%20West%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20the%20first%20King%E2%80%99s%20Speech%20since%20Rishi%20Sunak%20became%20Prime%20Minister%20last%20October%20and%20we%20are%20really%20delighted%20he%20is%20taking%20the%20opportunity%20to%20address%20this%20issue.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20welcome%20the%20Government%20choosing%20to%20recognise%20the%20widespread%20public%20and%20cross-party%20support%20by%20including%20a%20Bill%20to%20ban%20live%20exports%20during%20this%20parliamentary%20session%20and%20hope%20we%20will%20see%20swift%20progress%20on%20this%20issue%2C%20which%20is%20long%20over-due.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AWhile%20animal%20welfare%20groups%20welcomed%20the%20proposed%20ban%20on%20live%20exports%2C%20there%20were%20concerns%20at%20the%20absence%20of%20measures%20to%20outlaw%20the%20importation%20of%20hunting%20trophies%20in%20the%20King%E2%80%99s%20Speech.%0A%0AThe%20Tory%20manifesto%20in%202019%20pledged%20to%20ban%20imports%20from%20trophy%20hunting%20of%20endangered%20animals%20but%20backbench%20legislation%20aimed%20at%20implementing%20this%20was%20effectively%20talked%20out%20in%20the%20House%20of%20Lords.%0A%0AClaire%20Bass%2C%20senior%20director%20of%20campaigns%20and%20public%20affairs%20at%20Humane%20Society%20International%2FUK%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99ve%20had%20enough%20of%20this%20Government%20promising%20a%20lot%20and%20delivering%20very%20little%20to%20stop%20animal%20cruelty.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBritish%20trophy%20hunters%20travel%20around%20the%20world%20killing%20animals%20for%20fun%20%E2%80%93%20including%20endangered%20species%20like%20polar%20bears%20and%20leopards%20%E2%80%93%20and%20ship%20their%20souvenirs%20home%20to%20the%20UK%2C%20and%20over%2080%25%20of%20the%20British%20public%20believe%20this%20should%20stop.%20Today%20the%20Government%20has%20turned%20its%20back%20on%20them.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20Prime%20Minister%E2%80%99s%20official%20spokesman%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20committed%20to%20the%20manifesto%20pledge.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20will%20continue%20to%20explore%20the%20right%20way%20forward%20to%20meet%20that%20commitment.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABut%20he%20added%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re%20not%20setting%20that%20out%20at%20this%20point.%E2%80%9D

Live exports of livestock to be banned

The%20tiny%20Caribbean%20island%20of%20Dominica%20is%20creating%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20first%20marine%20protected%20area%20for%20one%20of%20earth%E2%80%99s%20largest%20animals%3A%20the%20endangered%20sperm%20whale.%0A%0ANearly%20300%20square%20miles%20(800%20square%20kilometers)%20of%20royal%20blue%20waters%20on%20the%20western%20side%20of%20the%20island%20nation%20that%20serve%20as%20key%20nursing%20and%20feeding%20grounds%20will%20be%20designated%20as%20a%20reserve%2C%20the%20government%20announced%20Monday.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20want%20to%20ensure%20these%20majestic%20and%20highly%20intelligent%20animals%20are%20safe%20from%20harm%20and%20continue%20keeping%20our%20waters%20and%20our%20climate%20healthy%2C%E2%80%9D%20Dominica%20Prime%20Minister%20Roosevelt%20Skerrit%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AScientists%20say%20the%20reserve%20not%20only%20will%20protect%20the%20animals%2C%20but%20it%20will%20also%20help%20fight%20climate%20change.%0A%0ASperm%20whales%20defecate%20near%20the%20surface%20because%20they%20shut%20down%20non-vital%20functions%20when%20they%20dive%20to%20depths%20of%20up%20to%2010%2C000%20feet%20(3%2C000%20meters).%0A%0AAs%20a%20result%2C%20nutrient-rich%20poop%20remains%20along%20the%20ocean%20surface%20and%20creates%20plankton%20blooms%2C%20which%20capture%20carbon%20dioxide%20in%20the%20atmosphere%20and%20drag%20it%20to%20the%20ocean%20floor%20when%20they%20die.%20And%20sperm%20whales%20in%20Dominica%20are%20believed%20to%20defecate%20more%20than%20whales%20elsewhere%2C%20said%20Shane%20Gero%2C%20a%20whale%20biologist%20and%20founder%20of%20the%20Dominica%20Sperm%20Whale%20Project%2C%20a%20research%20program%20focused%20on%20sperm%20whales%20in%20the%20eastern%20Caribbean.%0A%0AIt%E2%80%99s%20unclear%20why%20sperm%20whales%20seem%20to%20defecate%20more%20in%20Dominica.%20Gero%20said%20it%20could%20be%20they%E2%80%99re%20eating%20twice%20as%20much%2C%20or%20maybe%20there%E2%80%99s%20something%20particular%20about%20the%20type%20of%20squid%20they%E2%80%99re%20eating.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIn%20some%20respects%2C%20sperm%20whales%20are%20fighting%20climate%20change%20on%20our%20behalf%2C%E2%80%9D%20Gero%20said%20in%20an%20interview.%0A%0ALess%20than%20500%20sperm%20whales%20are%20estimated%20to%20live%20in%20the%20waters%20surrounding%20Dominica%2C%20part%20of%20a%20population%20that%20moves%20along%20the%20Lesser%20Antilles%20chain%2C%20swimming%20as%20far%20south%20as%20St.%20Vincent%20and%20north%20into%20Guadeloupe.%20Unlike%20sperm%20whales%20elsewhere%20in%20the%20world%2C%20the%20ones%20around%20the%20eastern%20Caribbean%20don%E2%80%99t%20travel%20very%20far%2C%20Gero%20said.%0A%0AHe%20noted%20that%20sperm%20whales%20are%20a%20matrilineal%20society%2C%20with%20young%20males%20leaving%20and%20switching%20oceans%20at%20some%20point%20in%20their%20lives.%20As%20a%20result%2C%20protecting%20the%20species%20is%20key%2C%20especially%20if%20few%20female%20calves%20are%20born%2C%20he%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COne%20calf%20being%20entangled%20can%20mean%20the%20end%20of%20a%20family%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%0A%0ASperm%20whales%20can%20produce%20a%20single%20calf%20every%20five%20to%20seven%20years.%0A%0AIn%20waters%20around%20Dominica%20and%20elsewhere%2C%20sperm%20whales%20have%20been%20hit%20by%20ships%2C%20entangled%20in%20fishing%20gear%20and%20affected%20by%20agricultural%20runoff%2C%20limiting%20their%20survival.%20In%20the%20pre-whaling%20days%2C%20an%20estimated%202%20million%20sperm%20whales%20roamed%20the%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20deep%20waters%20before%20they%20were%20hunted%20for%20oil%20used%20to%20burn%20lamps%20and%20lubricate%20machinery.%20Now%2C%20some%20800%2C000%20are%20left%2C%20Gero%20said.%0A%0AThe%20government%20of%20Dominica%20said%20the%20reserve%20will%20allow%20sustainable%20artisanal%20fishing%20and%20delineate%20an%20international%20shipping%20lane%20to%20avoid%20more%20deaths%20of%20sperm%20whales%2C%20which%20have%20the%20largest%20brain%20in%20the%20world%20and%20can%20grow%20up%20to%2050%20feet%20(15%20meters).%0A%0AOnce%20the%20reserve%20is%20created%2C%20the%20prime%20minister%20said%20his%20administration%20will%20appoint%20an%20officer%20and%20observers%20to%20ensure%20the%20area%20is%20respected%20and%20that%20whale%20tourism%20regulations%20are%20enforced.%20Visitors%20can%20still%20swim%20with%20sperm%20whales%20and%20see%20them%20from%20a%20boat%2C%20but%20in%20limited%20numbers.%0A%0AThe%20move%20was%20praised%20by%20scientists%20and%20conservationists%20including%20Enric%20Sala%2C%20an%20explorer-in-residence%20at%20National%20Geographic.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20government%20of%20Dominica%20has%20realized%20that%20the%20sperm%20whales%2C%20which%20were%20probably%20here%20before%20humans%2C%20are%20also%20citizens%20of%20Dominica%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20%E2%80%9CThese%20whales%20will%20spend%20most%20of%20the%20year%20offshore%20the%20island.%20So%2C%20they%20are%20taking%20care%20of%20some%20of%20their%20citizens%20in%20a%20way%20that%20few%20nations%20have%20ever%20done%20before.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AAn%20estimated%2035%20families%20of%20sperm%20whales%20spend%20most%20of%20their%20time%20in%20waters%20surrounding%20Dominica.%20Gero%20said%20some%20are%20likely%20more%20than%2060%20years%20old%2C%20and%20they%20communicate%20via%20clicking%20sounds%20in%20a%20vocalization%20known%20as%20codas.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThat%E2%80%99s%20kind%20of%20like%20asking%2C%20%E2%80%98I%E2%80%99m%20from%20Dominica%2C%20are%20you%3F%E2%80%99%E2%80%9D%20Gero%20said.%20%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20a%20symbolic%20marker.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AGero%20and%20his%20team%20of%20researchers%20also%20have%20named%20individual%20whales.%20One%20is%20dubbed%20%E2%80%9CSnow%E2%80%9D%20because%20one%20scientist%20was%20reading%20a%20Margaret%20Atwood%20book%20with%20a%20character%20named%20%E2%80%9CSnowman.%22%20Another%20sperm%20whale%20was%20nicknamed%20%E2%80%9CFruit%20Salad%E2%80%9D%20because%20a%20researcher%20happened%20to%20be%20snacking%20on%20that%20at%20the%20time.%20That%20whale%E2%80%99s%20calf%20was%20named%20%E2%80%9CSoursop%2C%E2%80%9D%20in%20keeping%20with%20the%20theme.

Dominica set up world's first sperm whale reserve

The%20European%20Commission%20has%20introduced%20proposals%20to%20establish%20minimum%20common%20welfare%20standards%20for%20breeding%20and%20keeping%20pet%20animals%20in%20the%20European%20Union.%0A%0AThe%20new%20rules%20aim%20to%20improve%20pet%20traceability%2C%20end%20illegal%20practices%20such%20as%20ear%20cropping%20and%20enhance%20animal%20welfare%20standards%20for%20cats%20and%20dogs.%20This%20legislative%20initiative%20addresses%20a%20long-standing%20gap%20in%20EU%20regulations%2C%20as%20there%20is%20currently%20no%20framework%20for%20the%20welfare%20of%20animals%20kept%20as%20pets.%0A%0AKey%20measures%20include%20mandatory%20identification%20of%20dogs%20and%20cats%20with%20electronically-readable%20transponders%20before%20being%20placed%20on%20the%20market.%20This%20will%20enhance%20traceability%20and%20help%20control%20animal%20welfare%20conditions.%20The%20proposals%20also%20include%20a%20ban%20on%20painful%20practices%20like%20ear%20cropping%20and%20tail%20docking%2C%20measures%20to%20ensure%20a%20level%20playing%20field%20for%20operators%20across%20the%20EU%20and%20the%20introduction%20of%20common%20goals%20for%20breeders%20and%20sellers.%0A%0AThe%20rules%20also%20aim%20to%20address%20issues%20related%20to%20the%20online%20sale%20of%20dogs%20and%20cats%2C%20which%20has%20been%20growing%20with%20around%2060%25%20of%20pet%20owners%20purchasing%20through%20online%20platforms.%20The%20new%20traceability%20system%20will%20be%20built%20on%20the%20Digital%20Service%20Act%2C%20regulating%20online%20commerce%20and%20platforms.%20Additionally%2C%20the%20proposals%20seek%20to%20combat%20illegal%20trade%20from%20outside%20the%20EU%2C%20introducing%20animal%20welfare%20requirements%20for%20imports%20of%20dogs%20and%20cats%20from%20third%20countries.%0A%0AThe%20legislative%20initiative%20is%20part%20of%20an%20animal%20welfare%20package%20that%20also%20includes%20new%20EU%20rules%20for%20the%20transport%20of%20live%20animals.%20The%20proposals%20are%20expected%20to%20apply%20to%20around%2024%2C000%20to%2030%2C000%20commercial%20dog%20breeders%20and%20between%208%2C000%20to%2010%2C000%20commercial%20cat%20breeders.

EU proposes new rules to improve animal welfare

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South Korea bans sale and production of dog meat

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ing%20it%20back.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ALast%20year%2C%20it%20was%20announced%20that%20southern%20white%20rhino%20populations%20increased%20for%20the%20first%20time%20since%202012%2C%20rising%20from%2015%2C942%20at%20the%20end%20of%202021%20to%2016%2C803.%20But%20concerns%20remain%20about%20their%20longterm%20survival.%0A%0AErustus%20Kanga%2C%20the%20director%20general%20of%20Kenya%20Wildlife%20Service%2C%20said%20they%20were%20thrilled%20with%20the%20breakthrough%20to%20save%20the%20subspecies.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CKenya%20Wildlife%20Service%20is%20delighted%20to%20have%20been%20part%20of%20this%20journey%20for%20the%20last%2013%20years%2C%20since%20the%20northern%20white%20rhinos%20were%20brought%20to%20Kenya%20in%202009%2C%20and%20for%20being%20part%20of%20the%20great%20initiative%20of%20the%20BioRescue%20consortium%20over%20the%20last%20four%20years%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20great%20milestone%20in%20the%20preservation%20of%20the%20northern%20white%20rhino%20genetic%20lineage.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AJustin%20Heath%2C%20the%20CEO%20of%20Ol%20Pejeta%20Conservancy%2C%20said%20it%20was%20a%20huge%20breakthrough%20for%20conservationists%2C%20but%20was%20bittersweet%20after%20losing%20the%20surrogate%20and%20bull%20to%20the%20bacterial%20infection.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CTo%20have%20had%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20first%20pregnancy%20in%20a%20rhino%20after%20a%20successful%20surrogate%20transfer%20on%20Ol%20Pejeta%20Conservancy%20is%20a%20point%20of%20great%20pride%20for%20us%20all%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20look%20forward%20to%20welcoming%20future%20surrogates%E2%80%99%20rhino%20calves%20under%20the%20foothills%20of%20Mount%20Kenya%20very%20soon.%E2%80%9D%0A

First IVF rhino pregnancy could save species

The%20US%20administration%20of%20President%20Joe%20Biden%20on%20Thursday%20announced%20further%20protections%20for%20endangered%20species%20and%20their%20habitats%2C%20restoring%20a%20set%20of%20regulations%20weakened%20by%20Donald%20Trump.%0A%0AThe%20new%20rules%20were%20touted%20as%20evidence%20of%20Biden's%20commitment%20to%20tackling%20climate%20change%2C%20though%20some%20environmental%20groups%20said%20the%20changes%20fell%20short%20of%20fully%20resurrecting%20necessary%20protections.%0A%0A%22These%20revisions%20underscore%20our%20commitment%20to%20using%20all%20of%20the%20tools%20available%20to%20help%20halt%20declines%20and%20stabilize%20populations%20of%20the%20species%20most%20at-risk%2C%22%20Martha%20Williams%2C%20director%20of%20the%20US%20Fish%20and%20Wildlife%20Service%2C%20said%20in%20a%20press%20release.%0A%0AThe%20changes%20include%20the%20reinstatement%20of%20a%20rule%20that%20classifications%20of%20endangered%20species%20and%20habitats%20should%20be%20made%20without%20reference%20to%20the%20possible%20economic%20impacts%20of%20that%20definition.%0A%0ABut%20some%20environmental%20groups%20complained%20that%20the%20Biden%20administration%20had%20failed%20to%20reverse%20all%20of%20the%20changes%20made%20by%20then-president%20Trump%20in%202019%2C%20setting%20the%20path%20for%20further%20harm%20to%20US%20wildlife.%0A%0A%22The%20Biden%20administration%20had%20the%20opportunity%20to%20fully%20reverse%20the%20damage%20inflicted%20upon%20the%20Endangered%20Species%20Act%20and%20the%20imperiled%20species%20it%20protects%2C%20but%20only%20got%20partway%20there%2C%22%20Drew%20Caputo%2C%20a%20lawyer%20for%20EarthJustice%2C%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0ABen%20Jealous%2C%20executive%20director%20for%20environmental%20group%20Sierra%20Club%2C%20also%20called%20on%20the%20US%20government%20to%20go%20further%20to%20%22end%20the%20nightmare%20Donald%20Trump%20created%20for%20wildlife.%22%0A%0A%22At%20this%20moment%2C%20we%20should%20be%20listening%20to%20scientists%20and%20acting%20urgently%20to%20save%20biodiversity%2C%20not%20letting%20Donald%20Trump's%20gutting%20of%20environmental%20safeguards%20and%20sellouts%20to%20Big%20Business%20stand%2C%22%20Jealous%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AThe%20US's%20main%20wildlife%20protections%20were%20supported%20by%20the%201973%20Endangered%20Species%20Act%2C%20which%20was%20credited%20with%20saving%20many%20iconic%20American%20species%2C%20until%20Trump's%20administration%20weakened%20some%20measures%20in%202019.%0A%0AThe%20changes%20included%20modifications%20allowing%20companies%20to%20build%20roads%2C%20pipelines%2C%20mines%2C%20and%20other%20industrial%20projects%20in%20areas%20designated%20as%20%22critical%20habitat%22%20for%20a%20species.%0A%0AThe%201973%20Act%20had%20been%20linked%20to%20the%20resurgence%20of%20the%20gray%20wolf%2C%20which%20saw%20its%20population%20decimated%20in%20the%20early%2020th%20century%2C%20but%20staged%20a%20remarkable%20comeback%20thanks%20to%20the%20law%20and%20is%20now%20legally%20hunted%20in%20the%20Northern%20Rockies.

US restores wildlife protections removed by Trump

Nigeria%20has%20approved%20a%20groundbreaking%20wildlife%20protection%20bill%20that%20imposes%20fines%20of%20up%20to%20%E2%82%A612%20million%20(%248%2C200)%20and%20prison%20sentences%20of%20up%20to%2010%20years%20for%20anyone%20caught%20trafficking%20ivory%2C%20pangolin%20scales%2C%20or%20other%20endangered%20species.%20The%20legislation%2C%20passed%20by%20the%20Senate%20on%20Tuesday%2C%20marks%20a%20major%20step%20toward%20ending%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20role%20as%20a%20global%20hub%20for%20illegal%20wildlife%20trade.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20strong%20move%20against%20Illegal%20wildlife%20trafficking%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAccording%20to%20conservation%20experts%2C%20the%20new%20law%20will%20strike%20a%20major%20blow%20against%20organized%20criminal%20networks%20that%20have%20turned%20Nigeria%20into%20a%20trafficking%20hotspot.%20These%20syndicates%20have%20been%20connected%20to%20over%2030%20tonnes%20of%20illegal%20ivory%20since%202015%20and%20more%20than%20half%20of%20global%20pangolin%20scale%20trafficking%20between%202016%20and%202019.%0A%0AThe%20Endangered%20Species%20Conservation%20and%20Protection%20Bill%2C%20which%20had%20earlier%20cleared%20the%20lower%20house%20of%20parliament%20in%20May%2C%20replaces%20outdated%20regulations%20that%20imposed%20weak%20penalties%20%E2%80%94%20as%20little%20as%20%E2%82%A6100%2C000%20(%2468)%20or%20just%20a%20few%20months%20in%20jail.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EExpanded%20powers%20for%20enforcement%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20new%20legislation%20empowers%20the%20Nigerian%20Customs%20Service%20to%20track%20financial%20transactions%20linked%20to%20wildlife%20crimes%20and%20to%20search%2C%20detain%2C%20or%20seize%20any%20aircraft%20or%20vessel%20suspected%20of%20transporting%20prohibited%20species.%20It%20also%20enables%20courts%20to%20fast-track%20cases%20and%20confiscate%20assets%20obtained%20through%20illegal%20wildlife%20activities.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAligning%20with%20global%20conservation%20standards%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ABeyond%20curbing%20trafficking%2C%20the%20law%20bans%20pollution%20of%20wildlife%20habitats%20and%20the%20consumption%20of%20endangered%20species%2C%20aligning%20Nigeria%E2%80%99s%20environmental%20policy%20with%20international%20treaties%20such%20as%20the%20UN%20Convention%20on%20International%20Trade%20in%20Endangered%20Species%20of%20Wild%20Fauna%20and%20Flora%20(CITES).%20It%20also%20facilitates%20the%20extradition%20of%20offenders%20involved%20in%20cross-border%20wildlife%20crimes.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20major%20victory%20for%20Nigeria%20and%20a%20clear%20demonstration%20of%20our%20commitment%20to%20eradicating%20wildlife%20trafficking%20and%20protecting%20our%20unique%20biodiversity%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Terseer%20Ugbor%2C%20the%20lawmaker%20who%20sponsored%20the%20bill.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EConservation%20groups%20applaud%20the%20move%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AEnvironmental%20organizations%20have%20praised%20the%20reform%2C%20saying%20it%20will%20help%20preserve%20Africa%E2%80%99s%20rich%20biodiversity.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CFor%20too%20long%2C%20traffickers%20have%20exploited%20Nigeria%20as%20a%20transit%20hub%20for%20the%20illegal%20wildlife%20trade%2C%20moving%20endangered%20animals%20and%20products%20from%20across%20Africa%20through%20our%20ports%20and%20airports%20to%20Europe%20and%20Asia%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Tunde%20Morakinyo%2C%20Executive%20Director%20of%20the%20Africa%20Nature%20Investors%20Foundation%20(ANI).%0A%0AConservationists%20are%20now%20urging%20President%20Bola%20Tinubu%20to%20sign%20the%20bill%20into%20law%20before%20the%20upcoming%20CITES%20summit%20in%20Uzbekistan%20this%20November%2C%20reinforcing%20Nigeria%E2%80%99s%20leadership%20in%20wildlife%20conservation%20and%20sustainable%20environmental%20governance.

Nigeria enacts tough law on wildlife trafficking

Shooting%20hares%20in%20England%20is%20set%20to%20be%20prohibited%20for%20most%20of%20the%20year%20under%20major%20reforms%20to%20animal%20welfare%20legislation%20aimed%20at%20protecting%20wildlife%20during%20critical%20breeding%20periods.%0A%0ACurrently%2C%20hare%20shooting%20remains%20legal%20throughout%20the%20breeding%20season%2C%20a%20practice%20that%20has%20drawn%20widespread%20criticism.%20Conservationists%20say%20this%20allows%20pregnant%20hares%20to%20be%20killed%2C%20often%20leaving%20them%20to%20die%20slowly%2C%20while%20their%20young%E2%80%94known%20as%20leverets%E2%80%94are%20frequently%20left%20abandoned%20and%20unable%20to%20survive.%0A%0AAs%20part%20of%20the%20same%20reform%20package%2C%20ministers%20are%20expected%20to%20confirm%20plans%20to%20outlaw%20trail%20hunting.%20Although%20trail%20hunting%20claims%20to%20use%20artificial%20scents%20rather%20than%20live%20animals%2C%20critics%20argue%20that%20foxes%20are%20still%20routinely%20killed%20when%20hounds%20encounter%20real%20wildlife.%20The%20proposed%20ban%20was%20a%20manifesto%20pledge%20and%20is%20expected%20to%20be%20detailed%20in%20a%20new%20animal%20welfare%20strategy%20scheduled%20for%20announcement%20on%20Monday%2C%20including%20a%20clear%20legislative%20route%20to%20implementation.%0A%0ACampaign%20groups%20have%20long%20warned%20that%20existing%20hunting%20regulations%20are%20ineffective%2C%20with%20dogs%20continuing%20to%20maul%20foxes%20despite%20the%20supposed%20use%20of%20artificial%20trails.%20Public%20concern%20over%20these%20incidents%20has%20fuelled%20growing%20calls%20for%20stronger%20enforcement%20and%20outright%20prohibition.%0A%0ANature%20minister%20Mary%20Creagh%20emphasized%20the%20importance%20of%20the%20changes%2C%20stating%20that%20brown%20hares%20are%20an%20iconic%20feature%20of%20the%20British%20countryside%20and%20should%20not%20be%20subjected%20to%20harm%20during%20their%20breeding%20season.%20She%20said%20the%20government%20is%20committed%20to%20reversing%20the%20long-term%20decline%20of%20the%20species.%0A%0AThe%20broader%20animal%20welfare%20package%20is%20also%20expected%20to%20provide%20a%20political%20boost%20for%20Labour%20MPs%20and%20supporters%20following%20months%20of%20internal%20disputes%2C%20rising%20living%20costs%2C%20and%20declining%20poll%20numbers.%0A%0APublic%20opinion%20appears%20strongly%20in%20favour%20of%20tougher%20protections.%20Previous%20surveys%20indicate%20that%20nearly%2080%25%20of%20people%20believe%20foxhunting%20laws%20should%20be%20strengthened%20to%20prevent%20accidental%20kills%20during%20trail%20hunts%2C%20while%20Labour%20polling%20suggests%20that%2085%25%20of%20voters%20see%20animal%20welfare%20as%20a%20moral%20responsibility.%0A%0AUnder%20the%20proposed%20measures%2C%20a%20new%20close%20season%20would%20make%20it%20illegal%20to%20shoot%20hares%20from%20February%20through%20October%2C%20safeguarding%20both%20breeding%20adults%20and%20their%20young.%20At%20present%2C%20hares%20are%20killed%20for%20meat%2C%20sport%2C%20and%20population%20control%2C%20although%20conservationists%20dispute%20claims%20that%20hare%20numbers%20are%20excessive.%0A%0AIn%20fact%2C%20brown%20hare%20populations%20in%20England%20and%20Wales%20have%20fallen%20by%20approximately%2080%25%20over%20the%20last%20century%2C%20casting%20serious%20doubt%20on%20arguments%20that%20the%20species%20is%20overabundant.%0A%0AFormer%20Conservative%20environment%20secretary%20George%20Eustice%20previously%20attempted%20to%20introduce%20a%20close%20season%20but%20said%20the%20effort%20was%20blocked%20at%20the%20highest%20levels%20of%20government.%20He%20welcomed%20the%20renewed%20push%2C%20explaining%20that%20protecting%20animals%20during%20breeding%20periods%20is%20a%20fundamental%20principle%20of%20conservation.%0A%0AHe%20noted%20that%20around%20200%2C000%20hares%20are%20killed%20each%20year%20in%20organised%20commercial%20shoots%2C%20particularly%20in%20late%20winter%20and%20early%20spring%2C%20a%20practice%20that%20leads%20to%20widespread%20starvation%20and%20death%20among%20orphaned%20leverets.%20While%20Victorian-era%20laws%20acknowledged%20the%20need%20for%20seasonal%20protections%2C%20outdated%20legislation%20based%20on%20restricting%20sales%20rather%20than%20hunting%20has%20rendered%20them%20ineffective.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Eustice%2C%20the%20government%20deserves%20recognition%20for%20finally%20modernising%20the%20law%20and%20delivering%20long-overdue%20protections%20for%20hares%20and%20other%20wildlife.

England bans hare shooting during breeding season 

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20groups%20are%20exploring%20partnerships%20with%20international%20zoos%20and%20wildlife%20centers%20to%20relocate%20rescued%20bears.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EActivists%20urge%20faster%20action%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAnimal%20rights%20leaders%20say%20the%20government%20must%20act%20more%20decisively%20to%20remove%20remaining%20bears%20from%20captivity%20and%20expand%20both%20public%20and%20private%20sanctuary%20options.%0A%0ACampaigners%20stress%20that%20without%20immediate%20solutions%2C%20rescued%20bears%20risk%20remaining%20in%20prolonged%20confinement%20despite%20the%20official%20ban.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CEnding%20the%20bear%20bile%20industry%20is%20a%20major%20step%20forward%2C%20but%20without%20enough%20safe%20places%20for%20these%20animals%2C%20the%20job%20isn%E2%80%99t%20finished%2C%E2%80%9D%20one%20advocate%20said.%20%E2%80%9CThese%20bears%20deserve%20peace%2C%20dignity%2C%20and%20as%20much%20freedom%20as%20possible%20in%20natural%20environments.%E2%80%9D

South Korea to ban bear bile farming

Germany%20has%20approved%20new%20legislation%20permitting%20regulated%20wolf%20hunting%2C%20following%20a%20significant%20increase%20in%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20wolf%20population%20and%20a%20sharp%20rise%20in%20livestock%20attacks.%20The%20bill%2C%20passed%20by%20the%20lower%20house%20of%20parliament%2C%20aims%20to%20address%20growing%20tensions%20between%20wildlife%20conservation%20and%20agricultural%20protection.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EA%20growing%20wolf%20population%20sparks%20political%20debate%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AOver%20the%20past%2030%20years%2C%20wolves%20have%20made%20a%20dramatic%20comeback%20in%20Germany%20after%20being%20declared%20extinct%20in%20the%2019th%20century.%20Since%20their%20return%20around%202000%2C%20their%20numbers%20have%20steadily%20expanded.%20A%20recent%20official%20survey%20recorded%20219%20wolf%20packs%20nationwide%2C%20along%20with%2036%20breeding%20pairs%20and%2014%20solitary%20wolves.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20this%20resurgence%20has%20fueled%20political%20and%20social%20divisions.%20The%20issue%20has%20increasingly%20split%20political%20parties%20and%20regions%20%E2%80%94%20particularly%20between%20western%20Germany%20and%20more%20rural%20eastern%20states%2C%20where%20wolf%20populations%20are%20concentrated.%0A%0AThe%20new%20law%20was%20approved%20in%20the%20Bundestag%20with%20support%20from%20the%20centre-right%20coalition%20led%20by%20the%20Christian%20Democratic%20Union%20(CDU)%20and%20the%20far-right%20Alternative%20f%C3%BCr%20Deutschland%20(AfD).%20Lawmakers%20from%20the%20Greens%20and%20the%20far-left%20Die%20Linke%20opposed%20the%20measure.%20The%20legislation%20now%20awaits%20approval%20from%20the%20Bundesrat%2C%20Germany%E2%80%99s%20upper%20parliamentary%20chamber.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhat%20the%20new%20german%20wolf%20hunting%20law%20allows%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AUnder%20the%20proposed%20regulations%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Germany%E2%80%99s%2016%20federal%20states%20may%20authorize%20wolf%20hunting%20from%20July%20through%20October%20in%20regions%20with%20dense%20wolf%20populations.%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Wolves%20previously%20identified%20as%20attacking%20or%20killing%20livestock%20can%20be%20culled%20regardless%20of%20conservation%20status%20or%20seasonal%20restrictions.%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20The%20law%20aligns%20Germany%20with%20updated%20European%20Union%20wildlife%20protection%20rules%2C%20which%20now%20permit%20exceptions%20to%20strict%20species%20protections.%0A%0AThe%20EU%E2%80%99s%20policy%20shift%20followed%20a%20high-profile%202022%20incident%20in%20which%20a%20wolf%20killed%20a%20pony%20owned%20by%20Ursula%20von%20der%20Leyen%2C%20president%20of%20the%20European%20Commission.%20The%20event%20prompted%20a%20reassessment%20of%20wolf%20conservation%20status%20at%20the%20European%20level%2C%20ultimately%20leading%20to%20a%20downgrade%20in%20protections.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFarmers%20welcome%20the%20decision%20as%20livestock%20losses%20mount%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAgricultural%20groups%20have%20praised%20the%20legislation%2C%20citing%20mounting%20losses.%20According%20to%20government%20data%2C%20approximately%204%2C300%20farm%20animals%20were%20killed%20or%20injured%20by%20wolves%20in%20Germany%20in%202024%20alone.%20Sheep%2C%20goats%2C%20and%20calves%20have%20been%20particularly%20affected.%0A%0AThe%20German%20Hunting%20Association%20endorsed%20the%20move%2C%20arguing%20that%20controlled%20hunting%20will%20help%20restore%20ecological%20balance.%20Meanwhile%2C%20the%20Working%20Group%20on%20Rural%20Agriculture%20described%20the%20law%20as%20a%20necessary%20step%20to%20protect%20farmers%E2%80%99%20livelihoods.%0A%0AShepherds%20are%20typically%20eligible%20for%20state%20compensation%20following%20wolf%20attacks%2C%20but%20many%20report%20that%20the%20emotional%20toll%20of%20discovering%20mutilated%20livestock%20is%20severe.%0A%0A%3C%2Fh2%3EEnvironmental%20groups%20push%20back%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AConservation%20organizations%20strongly%20oppose%20the%20policy.%20The%20Nature%20And%20Biodiversity%20Conservation%20Union%20(NABU)%20%E2%80%94%20Germany%E2%80%99s%20largest%20and%20oldest%20environmental%20association%20%E2%80%94%20has%20urged%20state%20governments%20to%20block%20the%20bill%20in%20the%20Bundesrat.%0A%0ANABU%E2%80%99s%20wolf%20expert%20argues%20that%20species%20protection%20should%20not%20be%20weakened%20for%20political%20reasons.%20Instead%20of%20culling%20wolves%2C%20environmental%20groups%20advocate%20for%20stronger%20preventive%20measures%20such%20as%3A%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Subsidized%20electric%20fencing%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Financial%20support%20for%20livestock%20guardian%20dogs%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Improved%20herd%20protection%20infrastructure%0A%0ACritics%20warn%20that%20widespread%20hunting%20could%20undermine%20decades%20of%20conservation%20progress.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EElection%20politics%20and%20the%20wolf%20debate%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20vote%20comes%20amid%20regional%20election%20campaigns%2C%20including%20in%20Baden-W%C3%BCrttemberg.%20CDU%20candidate%20Manuel%20Hagel%2C%20an%20avid%20hunter%2C%20has%20taken%20a%20firm%20stance%20on%20wolf%20control%2C%20framing%20the%20issue%20as%20one%20of%20rural%20safety%20and%20economic%20stability.%20He%20faces%20competition%20from%20Green%20candidate%20Cem%20%C3%96zdemir%2C%20a%20former%20federal%20agriculture%20minister%2C%20and%20AfD%20contender%20Markus%20Frohnmaier.%0A%0AAlthough%20Baden-W%C3%BCrttemberg%20currently%20has%20only%20a%20small%20wolf%20presence%20%E2%80%94%20four%20lone%20wolves%20according%20to%20official%20data%20%E2%80%94%20the%20topic%20has%20become%20symbolically%20significant%20in%20the%20campaign.%0A%0AA%202022%20study%20identified%20a%20predictive%20correlation%20between%20wolf%20attacks%20in%20certain%20regions%20and%20increased%20far-right%20voting%20patterns%2C%20highlighting%20how%20wildlife%20policy%20has%20become%20intertwined%20with%20broader%20political%20narratives.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWolves%20in%20Germany%3A%20from%20extinction%20to%20controversy%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AOnce%20eradicated%20in%20the%201800s%2C%20wolves%20have%20staged%20a%20remarkable%20recovery%20in%20Germany%20thanks%20to%20strict%20conservation%20laws%20and%20EU%20protections.%20Their%20return%20has%20reignited%20age-old%20fears%20and%20folklore%20associations%2C%20while%20also%20prompting%20modern%20debates%20over%20biodiversity%2C%20rural%20livelihoods%2C%20and%20political%20identity.%0A%0AAs%20Germany%20moves%20closer%20to%20implementing%20controlled%20wolf%20hunting%2C%20the%20country%20faces%20a%20complex%20challenge%3A%20balancing%20species%20conservation%20with%20agricultural%20sustainability%20and%20social%20stability.%0A%0AThe%20final%20decision%20now%20rests%20with%20the%20Bundesrat%20later%20this%20month.

Germany approves new wolf hunting law

Brazilian%20beef%20imports%20will%20soon%20face%20a%20major%20restriction%20in%20the%20European%20Union%20after%20experts%20from%20EU%20member%20states%20unanimously%20approved%20a%20ban%20linked%20to%20the%20use%20of%20animal%20growth%20drugs%20in%20Brazil%E2%80%99s%20livestock%20industry.%0A%0AStarting%20on%203%20September%2C%20Brazilian%20meat%20products%20will%20no%20longer%20be%20permitted%20for%20import%20into%20the%20EU%2C%20despite%20the%20recently%20implemented%20EU-Mercosur%20trade%20agreement%20that%20officially%20took%20effect%20on%201%20May.%20The%20European%20Commission%E2%80%99s%20decision%20comes%20amid%20growing%20concerns%20over%20antimicrobial%20substances%20allegedly%20used%20by%20Brazilian%20meat%20producers%20to%20accelerate%20animal%20growth%20and%20increase%20profitability.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EEU%20suspends%20Brazilian%20meat%20imports%20over%20antimicrobial%20concerns%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ABrazil%20remains%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20beef%20exporter%2C%20shipping%20approximately%203.5%20million%20tonnes%20of%20beef%20worldwide%20in%202025.%20The%20country%20generated%20a%20record%20%2418%20billion%20(%E2%82%AC15.3%20billion)%20in%20export%20revenue%2C%20marking%20a%2040%25%20increase%20compared%20to%20the%20previous%20year.%20The%20European%20Union%20ranked%20as%20Brazil%E2%80%99s%20fourth-largest%20export%20destination%2C%20importing%20nearly%20129%2C000%20tonnes%20of%20beef%20valued%20at%20more%20than%20%E2%82%AC850%20million%20%E2%80%94%20a%20dramatic%20132%25%20rise%20from%202024%20figures.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20EU%20authorities%20argue%20that%20Brazilian%20producers%20failed%20to%20comply%20with%20strict%20European%20food%20safety%20and%20veterinary%20standards%2C%20particularly%20regarding%20traceability%20and%20antimicrobial%20use%20throughout%20the%20production%20chain.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20reports%2C%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20decision%20was%20partly%20based%20on%20Brazil%E2%80%99s%20inability%20to%20provide%20the%20full%20life-cycle%20traceability%20required%20under%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%202019%20veterinary%20regulations.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EWhy%20the%20EU%20regulates%20antimicrobials%20in%20meat%20production%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20European%20Union%20enforces%20strict%20sanitary%20and%20phytosanitary%20(SPS)%20standards%20for%20all%20food%20products%20sold%20within%20its%20market%2C%20whether%20locally%20produced%20or%20imported.%20These%20rules%20include%20tight%20restrictions%20on%20antimicrobial%20drugs%20used%20in%20animal%20farming.%0A%0AAntimicrobials%20include%20antibiotics%2C%20antifungals%2C%20and%20antiviral%20medications%20designed%20to%20eliminate%20harmful%20microorganisms.%20While%20these%20drugs%20are%20important%20for%20treating%20sick%20animals%2C%20they%20are%20also%20widely%20used%20in%20intensive%20livestock%20farming%20to%20promote%20faster%20growth%2C%20improve%20feed%20efficiency%2C%20and%20increase%20meat%20production.%0A%0AThe%20World%20Health%20Organization%20(WHO)%20estimates%20that%20around%2075%25%20of%20all%20antimicrobials%20globally%20are%20used%20in%20animal%20agriculture%2C%20with%20nearly%2080%25%20being%20administered%20for%20non-medical%20purposes%20rather%20than%20treatment.%0A%0AAlthough%20the%20EU%20heavily%20restricts%20growth-promoting%20antibiotics%2C%20many%20countries%20in%20Latin%20America%2C%20Asia%2C%20and%20Africa%20still%20permit%20or%20weakly%20regulate%20their%20use.%0A%0ABrazil%20recently%20prohibited%20five%20antimicrobial%20substances%20in%20meat%20intended%20for%20domestic%20consumption%2C%20but%20products%20destined%20for%20export%20reportedly%20remained%20exempt%20from%20those%20restrictions.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EHealth%20risks%20linked%20to%20antimicrobial%20resistance%20(AMR)%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0APublic%20health%20experts%20warn%20that%20excessive%20antimicrobial%20use%20in%20livestock%20contributes%20directly%20to%20antimicrobial%20resistance%20(AMR)%2C%20one%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20most%20serious%20health%20threats.%0A%0AWhen%20bacteria%20become%20resistant%20to%20antibiotics%2C%20common%20infections%20in%20humans%20become%20increasingly%20difficult%20%E2%80%94%20and%20sometimes%20impossible%20%E2%80%94%20to%20treat.%20Drug-resistant%20bacteria%20can%20spread%20through%20contaminated%20food%2C%20direct%20animal%20contact%2C%20and%20environmental%20exposure.%0A%0AThe%20WHO%20classifies%20AMR%20as%20one%20of%20the%20leading%20global%20public%20health%20crises.%20In%202019%20alone%2C%20antimicrobial%20resistance%20was%20directly%20responsible%20for%20approximately%201.27%20million%20deaths%20worldwide%20and%20contributed%20to%20nearly%205%20million%20additional%20deaths.%20Within%20the%20EU%2C%20AMR%20is%20linked%20to%20around%2035%2C000%20deaths%20every%20year.%0A%0ABeyond%20the%20human%20toll%2C%20antimicrobial%20resistance%20creates%20a%20massive%20financial%20burden.%20The%20European%20Commission%20estimates%20that%20AMR%20costs%20Europe%20roughly%20%E2%82%AC1.5%20billion%20annually%20through%20healthcare%20expenses%20and%20lost%20economic%20productivity.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAnimal%20welfare%20groups%20criticize%20intensive%20farming%20practices%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAnimal%20welfare%20organizations%20argue%20that%20the%20widespread%20use%20of%20antimicrobials%20is%20often%20a%20symptom%20of%20poor%20farming%20systems%20rather%20than%20a%20genuine%20medical%20necessity.%0A%0AAdvocates%20claim%20that%20overcrowding%2C%20stressful%20living%20conditions%2C%20inadequate%20housing%2C%20and%20selective%20breeding%20practices%20increase%20disease%20risks%20among%20livestock%2C%20leading%20producers%20to%20rely%20heavily%20on%20drugs%20to%20maintain%20productivity.%0A%0ADr%20Elena%20Nalon%20of%20Eurogroup%20for%20Animals%20stated%20that%20intensive%20farming%20systems%20create%20conditions%20where%20illness%20becomes%20more%20common%2C%20making%20antimicrobial%20use%20routine%20rather%20than%20exceptional.%0A%0ASimilarly%2C%20Sabrina%20Gurtner%20from%20Animal%20Welfare%20Foundation%20argued%20that%20more%20humane%20farming%20methods%20%E2%80%94%20where%20animals%20experience%20lower%20stress%20levels%20and%20are%20allowed%20to%20express%20natural%20behaviours%20%E2%80%94%20could%20significantly%20reduce%20the%20need%20for%20routine%20antimicrobial%20treatments.%0A%0AThe%20European%20Food%20Safety%20Authority%20has%20also%20indicated%20that%20better%20animal%20welfare%20standards%20can%20improve%20animal%20health%20and%20reduce%20vulnerability%20to%20infectious%20diseases.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EEU-Mercosur%20trade%20deal%20faces%20growing%20criticism%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20controversy%20arrives%20shortly%20after%20the%20EU-Mercosur%20trade%20agreement%20entered%20provisional%20force%20following%20more%20than%2025%20years%20of%20negotiations%20between%20the%20EU%20and%20Mercosur%20member%20countries%2C%20including%20Brazil%2C%20Argentina%2C%20Paraguay%2C%20Uruguay%2C%20and%20Bolivia.%0A%0AThe%20agreement%20aims%20to%20reduce%20tariffs%20on%20European%20exports%20such%20as%20vehicles%2C%20pharmaceuticals%2C%20clothing%2C%20wine%2C%20and%20food%20products%2C%20while%20expanding%20access%20for%20South%20American%20agricultural%20exports%20into%20Europe.%0A%0AUnder%20the%20deal%2C%20the%20EU%20agreed%20to%20allow%20an%20additional%2099%2C000%20tonnes%20of%20beef%20imports%20annually%2C%20alongside%20increased%20imports%20of%20pork%2C%20ethanol%2C%20sugar%2C%20and%20honey.%0A%0ADespite%20anticipated%20economic%20benefits%2C%20the%20agreement%20has%20sparked%20strong%20opposition%20from%20European%20farmers%20and%20animal%20welfare%20campaigners.%20Farmers%20across%20several%20EU%20countries%20staged%20tractor%20protests%2C%20warning%20that%20cheaper%20imports%20from%20Mercosur%20nations%20could%20create%20unfair%20competition%20and%20undermine%20European%20agricultural%20standards.%0A%0AAnimal%20welfare%20investigators%20claim%20they%20documented%20severe%20welfare%20issues%20in%20large-scale%20Mercosur%20feedlots%2C%20describing%20conditions%20that%20would%20violate%20EU%20animal%20welfare%20laws.%0A%0ACampaigners%20argue%20that%20by%20importing%20meat%20produced%20under%20weaker%20welfare%20standards%2C%20the%20EU%20risks%20contradicting%20its%20own%20commitments%20to%20food%20safety%2C%20public%20health%2C%20and%20ethical%20farming%20practices.

EU suspends Brazilian meat imports

The%20New%20South%20Wales%20Government%20has%20introduced%20an%20advanced%20AI-powered%20wildlife%20detection%20system%20on%20a%20section%20of%20the%20Monaro%20Highway%2C%20aiming%20to%20improve%20road%20safety%20and%20reduce%20collisions%20with%20native%20animals%20in%20one%20of%20the%20state's%20most%20dangerous%20wildlife%20hotspots.%0A%0AThe%20new%20Protective%20Animal%20Warning%20System%20(PAWS)%20has%20been%20deployed%20in%20an%20area%20known%20for%20frequent%20animal%20crossings%2C%20where%20high-speed%20traffic%2C%20poor%20nighttime%20visibility%2C%20and%20increased%20wildlife%20activity%20at%20dawn%20and%20dusk%20significantly%20raise%20the%20risk%20of%20accidents.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAI%20technology%20detects%20wildlife%20in%20real%20time%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0APAWS%20combines%20thermal%20imaging%20cameras%2C%20optical%20roadside%20cameras%2C%20and%20an%20artificial%20intelligence%20computer%20vision%20platform%20capable%20of%20identifying%20animals%20commonly%20involved%20in%20road%20crashes%2C%20including%20kangaroos%2C%20deer%2C%20and%20wombats.%0A%0AWhen%20the%20system%20detects%20wildlife%20approaching%20or%20entering%20the%20roadway%2C%20it%20immediately%20activates%20electronic%20warning%20signs%20to%20alert%20nearby%20motorists.%20This%20real-time%20notification%20gives%20drivers%20valuable%20extra%20seconds%20to%20slow%20down%20and%20avoid%20potential%20collisions.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EDeveloped%20using%20thousands%20of%20wildlife%20images%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0ATransport%20for%20NSW%20designed%20and%20refined%20the%20technology%20throughout%202025%20by%20analysing%20wildlife%20movement%20patterns%20and%20training%20the%20AI%20model%20with%20thousands%20of%20animal%20images.%0A%0AExtensive%20testing%20was%20carried%20out%20at%20Transport%20for%20NSW's%20Yennora%20research%20facility%2C%20while%20additional%20image%20collection%20took%20place%20in%20partnership%20with%20Symbio%20Wildlife%20Park.%20The%20collaboration%20enabled%20the%20AI%20to%20recognise%20multiple%20species%20accurately%20under%20different%20weather%20conditions%2C%20lighting%20environments%2C%20and%20viewing%20angles.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFirst%20roadside%20trial%20on%20the%20Monaro%20highway%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20Monaro%20Highway%20installation%20represents%20the%20first%20live%20roadside%20trial%20of%20the%20PAWS%20technology.%20Rather%20than%20replacing%20existing%20safety%20measures%2C%20the%20AI%20system%20complements%20wildlife%20fencing%2C%20dedicated%20animal%20crossings%2C%20and%20vehicle-activated%20warning%20signs%20already%20installed%20along%20the%20route.%0A%0AThe%20pilot%20project%20is%20supported%20by%20a%20%24500%2C000%20investment%20from%20the%20NSW%20Government%2C%20dedicated%20to%20exploring%20innovative%20technologies%20that%20can%20reduce%20wildlife%20strikes%20and%20improve%20road%20safety.%20The%20initiative%20was%20launched%20following%20recommendations%20made%20during%20the%202024%20Wildlife%20Symposium%20held%20in%20Sydney.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3ETrial%20to%20shape%20future%20wildlife%20protection%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Roads%20Minister%20Jenny%20Aitchison%2C%20the%20trial%20will%20evaluate%20whether%20artificial%20intelligence%20and%20smart%20roadside%20warning%20systems%20can%20make%20roads%20safer%20for%20drivers%20while%20helping%20protect%20Australia's%20native%20wildlife.%0A%0ATransport%20for%20NSW%20will%20closely%20monitor%20the%20system's%20effectiveness%20throughout%20the%20trial.%20If%20successful%2C%20the%20AI-powered%20wildlife%20detection%20technology%20could%20be%20rolled%20out%20to%20additional%20high-risk%20roads%20across%20New%20South%20Wales%2C%20offering%20a%20smarter%20approach%20to%20preventing%20wildlife-related%20crashes%20and%20improving%20driver%20safety.

NSW launches AI road wildlife alerts

Iceland%20is%20preparing%20legislation%20that%20could%20permanently%20end%20commercial%20whaling%20in%20its%20waters%2C%20potentially%20marking%20a%20major%20shift%20in%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20approach%20to%20marine%20conservation%20and%20animal%20welfare.%0A%0AThe%20Icelandic%20government%20plans%20to%20submit%20the%20proposed%20whaling%20ban%20to%20parliament%20in%20February%202027.%20If%20approved%2C%20the%20legislation%20would%20effectively%20leave%20Norway%20and%20Japan%20as%20the%20only%20countries%20continuing%20to%20permit%20commercial%20whale%20hunting.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EIceland%20reconsiders%20its%20whaling%20laws%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0APressure%20to%20end%20commercial%20whaling%20in%20Iceland%20has%20intensified%20in%20recent%20years%2C%20particularly%20following%20a%20government-commissioned%20investigation%20published%20in%202023.%0A%0AThe%20report%20raised%20serious%20animal%20welfare%20concerns%20after%20documenting%20cases%20in%20which%20whales%20struck%20by%20harpoons%20took%20as%20long%20as%20two%20hours%20to%20die.%20Its%20findings%20prompted%20Icelandic%20authorities%20to%20temporarily%20suspend%20the%20whale%20hunt%20that%20year.%0A%0AMomentum%20for%20legislative%20reform%20has%20continued%20to%20grow.%20Iceland%E2%80%99s%20Minister%20of%20Industries%2C%20Hanna%20Katr%C3%ADn%20Fri%C3%B0riksson%2C%20has%20previously%20argued%20that%20the%20country's%20existing%20whaling%20legislation%20is%20outdated%20and%20expressed%20support%20for%20ending%20the%20practice.%0A%0AThe%20government%20has%20now%20confirmed%20plans%20to%20introduce%20legislation%20that%20could%20establish%20a%20permanent%20ban.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EAnimal%20welfare%20groups%20welcome%20proposed%20ban%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AConservation%20and%20animal%20welfare%20organizations%20have%20welcomed%20the%20announcement%20as%20an%20important%20development%20in%20the%20long-running%20campaign%20against%20commercial%20whaling.%0A%0AWendy%20Higgins%20of%20Humane%20World%20for%20Animals%20described%20the%20proposed%20legislation%20as%20a%20major%20milestone%2C%20pointing%20to%20growing%20political%20and%20public%20support%20for%20ending%20the%20industry.%0A%0ACampaigners%20argue%20that%20commercial%20whaling%20is%20increasingly%20difficult%20to%20justify%20on%20ethical%2C%20veterinary%20and%20conservation%20grounds.%20They%20also%20say%20Iceland%20has%20little%20economic%20need%20to%20continue%20hunting%20whales.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20Humane%20World%20for%20Animals%2C%2080%20fin%20whales%20had%20been%20caught%20in%20Icelandic%20waters%20by%20September%208%2C%202026.%20Iceland%E2%80%99s%20whaling%20season%20generally%20runs%20from%20June%20through%20the%20end%20of%20September%2C%20with%20a%20quota%20allowing%20the%20killing%20of%20up%20to%20150%20whales.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EFin%20whales%20remain%20vulnerable%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20debate%20is%20particularly%20significant%20because%20Icelandic%20whaling%20targets%20fin%20whales%2C%20the%20world's%20second-largest%20animals%20after%20blue%20whales.%0A%0AFin%20whales%20remain%20classified%20as%20vulnerable%20on%20the%20International%20Union%20for%20Conservation%20of%20Nature's%20Red%20List.%20Their%20populations%20have%20recovered%20in%20some%20regions%20following%20decades%20of%20protection%2C%20but%20the%20species%20continues%20to%20face%20threats%20including%20ship%20strikes%2C%20fishing-gear%20entanglement%2C%20climate%20change%20and%20hunting.%0A%0AThe%20International%20Whaling%20Commission%20introduced%20a%20global%20moratorium%20on%20commercial%20whaling%20in%201986%2C%20dramatically%20reducing%20large-scale%20hunting.%20However%2C%20several%20countries%20have%20continued%20or%20later%20resumed%20commercial%20operations.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EExisting%20whaling%20permit%20could%20remain%20until%202029%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AIceland%20currently%20has%20only%20one%20active%20commercial%20whaling%20company%2C%20Hvalur%2C%20operated%20by%20Kristj%C3%A1n%20Loftsson.%0A%0AThe%20company%20received%20a%20five-year%20whaling%20permit%20from%20a%20previous%20interim%20government%2C%20allowing%20operations%20to%20continue%20through%202029.%20This%20means%20that%20even%20if%20Iceland%20adopts%20legislation%20banning%20commercial%20whaling%2C%20the%20existing%20authorization%20could%20potentially%20remain%20valid%20until%20it%20expires.%0A%0AAnimal%20welfare%20campaigners%20would%20prefer%20an%20immediate%20halt%20but%20acknowledge%20that%20current%20permits%20may%20be%20allowed%20to%20run%20their%20full%20term%20before%20a%20permanent%20prohibition%20takes%20effect.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EMarine%20conservation%20groups%20back%20reform%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AThe%20International%20Fund%20for%20Animal%20Welfare%20has%20also%20welcomed%20Iceland's%20move%20toward%20reform.%0A%0ASharon%20Livermore%2C%20IFAW's%20director%20of%20marine%20conservation%2C%20said%20modernizing%20the%20country's%20whaling%20laws%20could%20represent%20an%20important%20advance%20for%20marine%20conservation%20and%20animal%20welfare%2C%20particularly%20given%20Iceland's%20economic%20and%20cultural%20dependence%20on%20healthy%20ocean%20ecosystems.%0A%0AEnding%20commercial%20whaling%20could%20also%20strengthen%20Iceland's%20international%20reputation%20as%20a%20country%20committed%20to%20sustainable%20ocean%20management%20and%20biodiversity%20protection.%0A%0A%3Ch2%3EOnly%20three%20countries%20still%20conduct%20commercial%20whaling%3C%2Fh2%3E%0A%0AIceland%2C%20Norway%20and%20Japan%20have%20been%20the%20three%20countries%20conducting%20commercial%20whale%20hunts%20in%20recent%20years.%0A%0ANorway%20formally%20resumed%20commercial%20whaling%20in%201993%20despite%20the%20International%20Whaling%20Commission's%20moratorium.%20Iceland%20followed%20in%202006.%0A%0AJapan%20withdrew%20from%20the%20International%20Whaling%20Commission%20in%202019%20and%20subsequently%20restarted%20commercial%20whaling%20within%20its%20territorial%20waters%20and%20exclusive%20economic%20zone.%0A%0AIf%20Iceland's%20proposed%20legislation%20becomes%20law%20and%20commercial%20hunting%20ultimately%20ends%2C%20Norway%20and%20Japan%20would%20remain%20the%20two%20countries%20permitting%20the%20practice.%0A%0AFor%20conservation%20organizations%2C%20the%20upcoming%20bill%20could%20therefore%20represent%20more%20than%20a%20domestic%20policy%20change.%20It%20could%20mark%20another%20significant%20step%20toward%20ending%20commercial%20whaling%20worldwide%20and%20strengthening%20international%20efforts%20to%20protect%20whales%20and%20marine%20biodiversity.I%20can%20also%20prepare%20the%20SEO%20title%2C%20meta%20description%2C%20and%20several%20title%20options%20under%2050%20characters%20for%20this%20article.