NEWS OF THE WEEK:

U.S. Pigs May Win in Trump Trade War, Protesters Infuriate Chef, Mar. 31 – April 6, 2018

By Leslie Goldberg

AMERICAN PIGS MAY BE THE WINNERS IN TRUMP'S TRADE WAR

The price of pork may be going up in the United States thanks to Trump's proposed tariffs on some Chinese products. China says it's going to retaliate with some tariffs of its own, including a 25 percent tariff on pork. Since, some 60 percent of American "pork variety products," which are parts of the animal such as their feet and hocks are sold in China, the industry would take a significant hit, reports Fortune magazine. "Chinese customers would be less likely to buy them, resulting in lower profits for U.S. farmers," Scott Brown, assistant extension professor of agriculture and applied economics at the University of Missouri told the magazine. "That loss would force farmers to either look for new markets or produce less pork."  As he explained to Fortune, it is unlikely that U.S. producers would be able to make up such a big loss from China. His forecast is fewer pigs raised and higher prices for American pork consumers. (Fortune, April 4, 2018)

CANADIAN PROTESTERS INFURIATE CHEF

It all started with a sign at the Antler Kitchen and Bar reading "Venison is the New Kale." The joke so angered vegan activist Marni Ugar that she decided to research the place and she found that in addition to selling "humane" meats from supposedly wild animals, they also offer foie gras. "I don't think there's any such thing ,” said Ugar. "It's very misleading because they're calling these animals wild animals, the deer and boar, but they are actually being farmed...They're just bred and killed." The protests started up. They got bigger and activists brought signs (Looks like DxE signs to us) and bullhorns. Business dropped off and chef Michael Hunter dragged a deer leg from the kitchen and began butchering it in the window. Ugar offered to reduce the number of protests if the restaurant would post a sign: "Attention, animals lives are their right. Killing them is violent and unjust no matter how it's done." Interesting! So far, the restaurant hasn't responded. (Washington Post, March 28, 2018)

KEEPING PANDAS OUT OF MANHATTAN

Friend of DxE/activist Donny Moss tells us in his blog, Their Turn: New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney's $50 million idea of leasing farmed panda bears from China and installing them in a New York City zoo will not fly, if activists have any say in the matter. "Pandas are wild animals who exist for their own purposes," said Edita Birnkrant, Executive Director of the animal rights group NYCLASS. "They should live freely in the bamboo forests of China, not in a display case in Manhattan." Moss and company were spotted at a Maloney fundraiser, protesting noisily. (Their Turn, April 2, 2018)

ELEPHANT KILLED IN TRUCK ACCIDENT AND FOUR OTHERS HURT

A truck transporting five elephants from a circus in Spain flipped on a highway, injuring four pachyderms and killing one. "These incredible animals are being carted around the country, confined and forced to perform," said Animal Defenders International President Jan Creamer, adding that animals are "often confined in small spaces, deprived of physical and social needs, spending excessive amounts of time shut in transporters." Out of the 22 traveling circuses in Spain, 13 use animals in performances. (ABC News, April 2, 2018)

THE VEGAN COUNTRY

The UK now boasts 3.5 million vegans! According to a recent survey of 2,000 people completed by Compare the Market, some 7 percent claimed they were vegan, while 14 percent said they were vegetarian. Thirty-one percent said they were eating less meat than they used to. (Huffington Post, April 4, 2018)

WORLD'S FIRST VEGAN FILM FESTIVAL

Ottawa, Canada will be the site of the world's first vegan film festival. It will take place at that city's Mayfair Theater on Oct. 14, 2018. The event will feature short and full-length films on health, nutrition, animal advocacy and environmental protection. The director of the festival, Shawn Stratton, said, "I would like the films to deliver authentic stories with a sense of hope. Attendees can expect to leave the event inspired and educated about the vegan lifestyle." The deadline for entries is July 31. (Veg News, April 2, 2018)

INDIA SAYS 'NO' TO SEAL SKINS

Joining the United States, Russia, Mexico, Taiwan, Switzerland and the 28 countries of the European Union, India has now banned the sale of seal skins. Kudos to the Humane Society International for their tireless work on this one. (Humane Society, April 2, 2018)

VEGAN ATHLETES ARE KICKING IT

Vegan cyclist Abdulla Zeinab just won the grueling 3,400 mile Indian Pacific Wheel Race held in Australia. It took him 14 days. No animals were killed in that victory. He ate nothing but plants for his meals and snacked on Gatorade and nuts during the race. In the last few years, a growing number of top level athletes including professional football players are saying no to animal products. Sports Illustrated dubbed vegan weightlifter Kendrick Farris one of 2017's fittest athletes. (Live Kindly, March 31, 2018)