[Greens-Media] Media Release: The Greens lead on humane treatment for animals

[Greens Victoria Media]

Media Release: for immediate use
Wednesday August 30, 2006
Contact: Marcus Ward on 0427 235 254

The Greens lead on humane treatment for animals

Recent Liberal Party comments on the Greens animal policy are as 
predictable as they are inaccurate say the Greens.

"The Greens have no problems with properly supervised animal displays at 
the Melbourne Show. To suggest otherwise is just silly and plain wrong,” 
said Greens Animals policy spokesperson, Marcus Ward. “For the sake of 
our animals, I think the Liberals could spend more time developing a 
sensible policy on animal protection and less time scaremongering and 
misrepresenting the Greens."

“Unlike the Liberals, the Greens have a comprehensive animal welfare 
policy," said Marcus Ward. "It addresses many long standing issues about 
wildlife, pets, farm animals and animals used in sport."

"We are proud of our leadership on this issue and encouraged that it’s 
received so much attention over the last few weeks," said Marcus Ward. 
"When you’re out front, you’re bound to cop some criticism."

"However, people who take the time to check our policy out will find a 
considered plan to significantly reduce the tens of thousands of pets 
that end up in shelters and have to be put down," said Marcus Ward. "We 
need to discourage 'impulse buying' of pets by regulating their sale, 
subsidising pet owners to de-sex their animals and provide more support 
for animal shelters to find homes for abandoned and unwanted pets."

"The Greens other animal protection polices also make sense,"said Marcus 
Ward.

These include:
A ban on 1080: "This is one of the most dangerous and cruel poisons ever 
developed," said Marcus Ward. "It's already banned in most developed 
countries.  If poisons are required, 1080 should be replaced by safer 
and potentially far more effective substitutes like Pindone."

Duck hunting: “Victoria needs to play catch up with NSW, Western 
Australia and Queensland and finally ban recreational duck hunting,” 
said Marcus Ward.

Live animal exports: “We want to end the export of sheep and cattle from 
Portland and replace it with a carcass trade where our farm animals are, 
once again, processed locally," said Marcus Ward. "This will greatly 
reduce animal cruelty, ensure consistent, high quality export product 
and regain many of the 18,000 regional meat worker jobs that were lost 
when the live export trade began.”

“The Greens work cooperatively with the community, animal groups, 
farmers and other political parties to raise Victoria’s standard of care 
for animals," said Marcus Ward. "The Greens in state parliament after 
November 25 will continue our efforts to protect animals."

For more information and comment, please contact
Marcus Ward on 0427 235 254
or
Dave Lane on 0419 156 213

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