For some time now the fur trapping industry has been testing traps, that
are commonly accepted as cruel, in what they call Best Management
Practice (BMP) tests.
In a booklet put out to explain the need for this
research, it was stated no less than 7 times in the opening pages that
trappers need to BMP's for public relations purposes.
The trappers have told the public that these studies are
done to determine the most humane traps, but tell themselves they need
these studies to "prove" that their traps are acceptable.
Information has been circulated that the studies were
giving results that would only do damage to the trappers. Rumor has it
that the studies on raccoons in leghold traps were producing
particularly gory results.
In the September/October issue of American Trapper we
get some insight into just how the trappers plan to deal with this.
David Sollman, president of the National Trappers
Association, stated that the first draft of the raccoon studies has been
delayed. The NTA wants further research so they can get a different
result.
Sollman then said that "NTA has presented its own
protocols to test raccoon traps, and the BMP Work Group has agreed to
discover if our version will produce different results this year."
In other words, studies funded by trapping interests and
carried out by trappers produced results that are embarrassing to
trappers. Therefore, the trappers are going to modify the protocols, do
new studies, and try and come up with more PR friendly results.
When it comes to playing loose and fast with the facts,
the trappers are the best. When it comes to distorting science, no one
tops the trappers.
In fact, trappers are claiming that a proposed leghold
trap ban in Oregon would ban holding chutes for cattle. This is a
ridiculous claim even for a trapper. Since when has a holding chute for
cattle fallen under the definition of a "body gripping trap"?
No claim is beneath these guys.
It is important that any readers who will engage in
campaigns to stop cruel fur trapping print out this email, and save it.
These BMP studies will be twisted to suit the trappers
needs, and they will be used against those who want to protect wildlife.
We must be armed with the facts so that we can present
the truth when this occurs.
Those who want to slaughter American wildlife for what
amounts to market hunting are not above distorting the truth to maintain
the status quo.
Let's not let them fool anyone.
Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade
PO Box 822411
Dallas, TX 75382
www.banfur.com
Go on to Fur Donation
Program Aids Wildlife
Return to 20 November 2000 Issue
Return to Newsletters
** Fair Use Notice**
This document may contain copyrighted material, use of which has not been
specifically authorized by the copyright owners. I believe that this
not-for-profit, educational use on the Web constitutes a fair use of the
copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright
Law). If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your
own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright
owner.
