Protests planned against vivisection conference

Anti vivisection campaigners from around the country are expected in Wellington this week for a series of protests against a 'vivisectors conference'. The protesters are objecting to the annual conference of the Australia and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) being held at Te Papa Museum this week.

The New Zealand Anti Vivisection Society says ANZCCART is an organisation set up to promote the use of animals in experiments. The theme of the conference this year is 'public faith in science and agriculture' and speakers at the ANZCCART conference will be discussing the public reaction to genetic engineering and other forms of biotechnology involving animal experimentation.

But NZAVS Secretary Phil Clayton says the public can be forgiven for losing faith in science and agriculture given the amount of science funding spent on useless animal experiments.

"ANZCCART and the vivisection industry bring science into disrepute. Vivisection is a perversion of science. Rather than wasting science and medical research funding on refining the methods of torturing animals in experiments that don't relate to human illness, research money should be channeled into education, preventative medicine, and clinical research that is directly related to human illness".

Mark Eden of Wellington Animal Action, another group planning protests this week, says vivisection is big business in New Zealand.

"In 1998, more than 300,000 animals were used in experiments and testing by universities, pesticide and chemical manufacturers and government research institutes. Species used include birds, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, mice, pigs, rabbits, rats, and sheep". Protest details:

Thursday 18th November:

Protest at the opening of the conference 8am outside Te Papa Museum, Cable St, Wellington. Friday 19th November:

Midday at Te Papa. National demonstration against vivisection and genetic engineering of animals.

Contact phone number for protest information and spokespeople - (04) 385-6728

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