ANIMAL LIBERATION -

Animal Liberation (Victoria) was asked to give evidence at a hearing in Melbourne, on Tuesday 14 October, 1997, regarding the Inquiry into Commercialisation of Native Wildlife.

(The findings of this Inquiry have now been handed down. A report of the outcomes, rather dismal for our wildlife, will be posted to this site in the near future).

The first task of this campaign was to put in a submission, on behalf of Animal Liberation (Victoria), to the Federal Government Inquiry into Commercial Utilisation of Australian Native Wildlife, in March 1997.

Whilst Animal Liberation deplores the exploitation of all animals, we feel the commercial use of wildlife is particularly detrimental to our cause. Consumption of wildlife is becoming increasing accepted in our restaurants. Lifestyle programs feature roo steak and emu cutlets. The government is considering allowing captive breeding of birds and reptiles and loosening regulations on the live export of these animals so that they can be sent overseas as exotic pets to live in who knows what conditions. Our fight to save the long suffering domestic species is thus endangered as Australians begin to accept the consumption and use of our national emblems. If they can accept farming and commercial use of native species, our fight to save all species from the dinner table can only be lengthened. We need to make the public aware that sentient species have an inherent worth, and we don’t have the right to take their lives for economic gain. There are many cruelties involved in both the farming and wild ‘harvesting’ of wild species such as kangaroos.

The campaign will focus mainly on native wild species. We need the assistance of the public to let us know of restaurants that serve wildlife (particularly those that specialise in this area), airlines that serve wildlife, shops selling emu products and other wildlife products, promotions of the emu industry (meetings are often advertised to introduce farmers to emu farming), locations of emu farms, and anything else pertaining to exploitation of our wildlife - such as government dinners with wildlife on the menu. Keep your ears to the ground. Your information is vital to us. Contact the office on 9419 5188 and leave a message for the Wildlife Campagn Co-ordinator , or use the email address below.

Some of the many reasons why we are against the commercialisation of wildlife

• Australian wildlife belongs in the wild - uncaged and unexploited.
• Oppose farming of native wildlife for reasons of animal welfare, cruelty and conservation.
• Oppose the keeping of native pets on both conservation, animal welfare and cruelty grounds.
• Critical questions of ethics and morals must be addressed by Government; is it fair and right to exploit sentient beings for purely commercial gain; species that the Australian Government agrees have an intrinsic right to exist.
• Question whether Australia should be taking this sort of economic direction when in the past, and to this day, it has destroyed wildlife populations the world over.
• Ecologically sustainable use in wildlife is a utopian dream pursued at the expense of our natural heritage.
• Current wildlife trade export programs are not economically self-sustaining; they are heavily subsidised by public monies.
• All Australian wildlife is owned by the public; they must be consulted about any such proposed use, and assured that their taxes are not being used to support the killing of native animals.
• Concern that there is a total lack of effective national law enforcement for wildlife use, monitoring and checking of export consignments etc, law enforcement agencies can not and will not be able to cope.
• Live exports of wild animals should never be permitted for commercial reasons; Australia’s export ban must stay in place.

Go to The Possum Page for information on how the Brush-Tailed Possum is captured, slaughtered and exported to Asia. A campaign by the Tasmanian Conservation Trust and the Humane Society.