Mr. Singer is far from the world’s only serious thinker about poverty, but with “The Life You Can Save” he becomes, instantly, its most readable and lapel-grabbing one. This book is part rational argument, part stinging manifesto, part handbook. It’s a volume that suggests, given that 18 million people are dying unnecessarily each year in developing countries, that there is a “moral stain on a world as rich as this one.” We are not doing enough to help our fellow mortals.
NYT’s Kristof Starts Op Ed Series on Animal Agriculture and Human Health
So what’s going on here, and where do these antibiotic-resistant infections come from? Probably from the routine use — make that the insane overuse — of antibiotics in livestock feed. This is a system that may help breed virulent “superbugs” that pose a public health threat to us all. That’ll be the focus of my next column, on Sunday.
EU Bans Animal Testing for Cosmetics
The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) and the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE), the animal protection organizations who administer the Leaping Bunny Program in the United States (U.S.), Canada, and Europe, join together to celebrate the end of animal testing for cosmetics in the European Union (EU).
As of today, the EU has banned all animal tests for cosmetic ingredients, formulations, and final products. In addition, the sale of cosmetics and ingredients that have been tested on animals, regardless of where the testing occurred, is also prohibited, with the exception of three test areas (repeated-dose toxicity, reproductive toxicity, and toxicokinetics). The final three test areas will be banned in March 2013.
Hunting Gyrocopter Update
Trevor Morse, 48, broke off from following the Warwickshire hunt on Monday morning to drive to an airfield where two alleged anti-hunt protesters who had been following and monitoring them were re-fuelling.
It is believed he wanted to challenge them over their behaviour and allegations they were swooping down aggressively and frightening the horses.
Mr Morse was hit by the mini-helicopter and died instantly. It is thought he was decapitated by its blades.
As two men were continuing to be questioned on suspicion of murder, hunting leaders called for calm as tensions in the already hate-fuelled relationship between hunt supporters and protesters rose further.
Stephen Lambert, chairman of the Council of Hunting Associations, said now is not the time for further conflict. He said: “We would like everyone to keep a cool head out of respect for Trevor’s family.”
Before Mr Morse was killed, the hunt had made an official complaint to the Civil Aviation Authority over the gyrocopter, which it claimed had been following them and another hunt for three weeks, flying low and scaring people and animals.
The protesters are believed to belong to the group Protect Our Wild Animals, a monitoring group which collects evidence of hunts to present to the police and parliament.
Hunt supporter killed by gyrocopter after confronting animal rights activists
Obama’s Decision on Wolves
My ASI colleague Jill Howard Church writes about the Obama administration’s decision to go ahead with delisting wolves from the list of threatened and endangered species. HSUS’s Wayne Pacelle also writes on this unacceptable development.
Economic Downturn: Iditarod
Economic strains have reduced the lineup of competitors in the 37th Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from last year’s record of 96. Besides the $4,000 entry fee, many mushers must take time off from regular jobs to train. And some sponsors have cut their Iditarod budgets in response to the economic downturn.
