European Vegetarian Union

Newsletter - May 2005



Dear friends,
Our book "Utopia tomorrow: A vegetarian world" is developing nicely with many very interesting texts already submitted and more on their way. We are sure that the final product will be entertaining and thought provoking at the same time. If you also like to imagine what a vegetarian tomorrow could be like, please send your texts until the end of this month. As a reminder - here are the details:
http://www.evana.org/index.php?id=2511&lang=en

I am looking forward to your contributions!

Best regards
Herma Caelen
Secretariat
European Vegetarian Union
www.euroveg.eu



Content:
1 Latest EVU Press Release (22 April 2005)
2.Upcoming EVU Events
3.Magazine 'European Vegetarian'
4.EVU Website
5.Health
6.Slaughter - no animal is safe
7.Interesting stories/links
8.Diary May/June 2005




1. EVU Press Release - 22 April 2005
Go Veggie to save the Planet, says European Vegetarian Union
35th Celebration of Earth Day *)


The European Vegetarian Union is taking the opportunity of the 35th celebration of Earth Day*) to stress the overriding importance of environmental conservation and ecological balance for the human species and, indeed, for all life on earth.

"For us, vegetarian nutrition is a decisive factor in any discussion about safeguarding natural resources and the environment," explains Guido Barth, press officer of the European Vegetarian Union.

The amount of land required to grow plant foods for direct human consumption is far less than the area needed for meat production and associated feed crops. The devastating waste of resources inherent in the industrial production of meat is clear from a study at Cornell University showing that the animal feed crop in the US alone would be sufficient to provide the 800 million hungry people in the world with enough nutritious food to survive. (Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.**)

Yet instead of acting upon this knowledge to improve the situation, meat production is still increasing rapidly, and hand in hand with that increase comes the demand for ever more land to grow feed crops when that very land is under threat from erosion and desertification and the destruction of entire landscapes.

The time has come to break out of this vicious circle and accord to environmental protection the crucial importance that it must have. The European Vegetarian Union believes firmly that a vegetarian lifestyle is the only realistic means to this end. It is not just up to date but nutritionally healthy and environmentally sound, and thus ideal to safeguard the future of our planet.

Guido Barth
Press Officer, European Vegetarian Union
guido.barth@european-vegetarian.org

http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/news/press/20050422.php

*)Thirty-five years ago, the first Earth Day was celebrated by more than 20 million people. Today a world-wide network has grown up with more than 12,000 organisations in 174 countries and half a billion people taking part in this event.

**)"Water Resources: Agriculture, the Environment and Society",Bioscience 42: 97-106

Portuguese: http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/pt/news/press/20050422.php
Co-signed by Sociedade Vegetariana Brasileira and translated by Marly Winckler

Italian: http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/it/news/press/20050422.php
Translated by Alessandro Cattelan, webmaster EVU

German: http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/de/news/press/20050422.php
Translated by Guido Barth, Press Officer EVU

Spanish: http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/es/news/press/20050422.php
Translated by Eduardo Minguez, Spanish Correspondent EVANA

French: http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/fr/news/press/20050422.php
Translated by J.M. Falla

Dutch: http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/du/news/press/20050422.php
Translated by Carla Van de Velde, Editor �European Vegetarian�..




2. Upcoming EVU Events

- EVU AGM 2005:
There is now more information about the AGM 2005 online, including details about the candidatures which have so far been received. Please have a look at
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/events/events.php?id=1986

- Congress Riccione:
For the following Congress many interesting lectures have already been arranged. Just one example:
2 October Sunday / Vegetarianism and Animal Rights
Silvia Amodio( Journalist, photographer)
Marina Berati (For more than 10 years animal rights Activist, author of "How to become Vegan in 10 simple steps")
Hiren Cara (Director of the educational centre for animal rights - Bombay Beauty Without Cruelty)
Gianluca Felicetti (In charge of institutional relations for the LAV)
Massimo Filippi (Beyond the Species, editor of the Italian edition of "Un'eterna Treblinka" by C. Patterson)
Tom Regan (Lecturer of Philosophy at North Carolina State University - USA.

Please look also at the rest of the Congress information under
http://www.vegetarianet.com/vegetarianet/indices/index_137.html

- 2006 - Rendezvous in India: 37th IVU World Vegetarian Congress in Goa
http://www.ivu.org/congress/2006/




3. Magazine 'European Vegetarian'
The next issue of the magazine 'European Vegetarian' will be issued in mid-Summer. If you have contributions, please send them until the end of March to georgia.blackwell@european-vegetarian.org . We are also very grateful about all information concerning possible address changes�.




4. EVU Website:
-How many veggies?
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/info/howmany.php
Even though it is not easy to find information regarding the percentages of vegetarians in any given country, this page has just been updated - as best as possible. In order to have solid information we would appreciate all information/corrections/comments you may have to add. Thanks!
Contact: georgia.blackwell@european-vegetarian.org

-A French version of the Vegetarian Starter Kit will soon be online. See all available versions here
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/info/kit.php




5.Health
-USA: Food Pyramid - Vegetarian Diets
Vegetarian diets can meet all the recommendations for nutrients
The key is to consume a variety of foods and the right amount of foods to meet your calorie needs. Follow the food group recommendations for your age, sex, and activity level to get the right amount of food and the variety of foods needed for nutrient adequacy. Nutrients that vegetarians may need to focus on include protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12�
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/news/news.php?id=3023&lang=en&newsstart=

-Dr. Michael Greger: Best way to fight cancer is a 'plant-based-diet'
The doctor said that "beer, chicken, cheese and fish are the highest sources of dioxin ... in the United States."
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/news/news.php?id=2947




6. Slaughter - no animal is safe
Africa: Marburg disease: Just like Ebola, the Marburg disease could be transmitted through certain burial traditions (touching and kissing of corpses) but research is also concentrating on possible links with the slaughter of monkeys.
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/news/news.php?id=2967&lang=en&newsstart=

China and Korea: Legalized trade in dog meat
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/news/news.php?id=2312&lang=en&newsstart
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/news/news.php?id=2923&lang=en&newsstart

China: Unhealthy mix of animals, humans
Most flu pandemics are thought to have emerged from live animal markets.It is no wonder that diseases develop and spread when, like in a market in the Chinese province of Guangdong, dogs, cats, chickens, frogs, snakes, turtles and palm civets are cramped together and people work in an environment of blood, guts, faeces and urine.
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/news/news.php?id=3074&lang=en&newsstart=

USA: For wild horses the loss of freedom meant slaughter
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/news/news.php?id=2930&lang=en&newsstart

-Zimbabwe: Bumi elephants shot by guardians of the wildlife National parks: meat for celebrations
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/news/news.php?id=2936&lang=en&newsstart=

-Question: 'What would Jesus eat?'
Christians and members of others religions are getting increasingly concerned by the brutality which the 'production' of meat involves: they go veg!. A VVIP just recently joined the fast growing community of vegetarians: The Dalai Lama.
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/news/news.php?id=2928&lang=en&newsstart=




7. Interesting stories/links

-Video Carl Lewis (talking about being Vegan)
http://www.vegsource.com/articles2/tofu123.htm

-Dr. Dean Ornish, of low-fat fame, works for the McDonald's Corporation and says that advising McDonald's is "an amazing platform." As a paid consultant, he meets with top executives, gives talks to employees and recently wrote nutritional words of wisdom about diet and breast cancer for table displays to go into all McDonald's restaurants in the United States for Mother's Day. (New York Times: registration required)

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/02/business/02doctor.html

-PETA apologizes: Apology for the hurt caused by PETA's "Holocaust on Your Plate" Campaign by Ingrid Newkirk, President, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
http://www.evana.org/index.php?id=3116&lang=en

-Veg* Travel Website:
'Ever wonder why people have such a hard time understanding that vegetarians like to eat too? We all know there's more to vegetarian food than salads & side dishes. We also know when traveling it can be difficult to find good pure vegetarian food. If you're like us, you look forward to exploring new and exotic lands, you crave adventure, like having fun and love great vegetarian food. At VegVoyages, we understand this and invite you to join us to experience other cultures - vegetarian style!
http://www.vegvoyages.com

-Free online auction for the vegetarian and eco-conscious communities
Vegetarianwomen.com announces the launch of a free online auction for the vegetarian and eco-conscious communities. The announcement of the new site was made on the 35th anniversary of Earth Day, which is an international movement to protect the Earth, our children, our animal friends, and our future - principles supported by Vegbay.com.
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/news/news.php?id=2948&lang=en&news




8.Diary

-Details events can be found under
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/events/events.php

-Please feel free to send us information about your own important diary inputs so that we can 'spread the word'.




If you have not done so, why not become member of the European Vegetarian Union now. It is so easy
http://www.euroveg.eu/lang/en/about/support/membership.php

 

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