Some good points made here. The hypocrisy of yet another charity, I
wonder what their CEO creams off the top?

Go Veggie.

Christian Aid Told to 'Cut the Crap'

http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/NEWS/pr_veggie/ALL/1640//
23 August 2007

This bank holiday (Monday 27th), Animal Aid will be present on the
Christian Aid (CA) climate change march from Bradford Street in the
city centre to Millennium Point in Birmingham where a rally will take
place. Animal Aid plans to highlight the hypocrisy at the heart of
Christian Aid’s work. Spoofing the CA slogan ‘Cut the Carbon’, Animal
Aid’s banner reads ‘Cut the Crap’.

While the two organisations agree that tackling climate change is of
paramount importance, Animal Aid points out that livestock farming -
an activity encouraged, supported and promoted by Christian Aid - is a
major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions.

In fact, a recent major report (1) by the UN’s Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO) reveals that livestock farming contributes 18% of
all man-made greenhouse gases - a larger share than the entire global
transport sector. Yet Christian Aid promotes gifts of farm animals to
destitute communities in regions that are already suffering serious
environmental degradation.

The FAO report also details the inefficiencies of using animals as a
source of nutrients for people rather than devoting agricultural
resources (land, labour, water) to producing food for people to
consume directly. ‘In simple numeric terms,’ the report states,
‘livestock actually detract more from total food supply than they
provide’.

This reality prompted the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, to
become vegetarian two years ago. He told The Guardian newspaper (June
16, 2007): ‘In Mozambique, I saw very clearly what an inefficient
converter beasts were of grain into protein.’

Animal Aid Director, Andrew Tyler, has written to CA’s Director, Dr
Daleep Mukarji, calling on him to channel Christian Aid’s resources
away from animal gift schemes and concentrate on the many initiatives
that aid people, animals and the planet. (2) These include tree
planting, the production of green manures, water management schemes,
and healthcare, veterinary and educational initiatives. (3)

Says Animal Aid Director Andrew Tyler:

‘Christian Aid’s emotive advertising has featured photographs of dead,
bloated goats in barren landscapes. Cattle losses in regions such as
Northern Kenya are as high as 93%. Yet Christian Aid encourages the
public to give money so that more animals can be provided for
communities that cannot support them. The number of hoofed animals in
sub-Saharan Africa increased from around 275 million in 1961 to more
than 655 million by 2005. In that same period, the levels of poverty
and environmental destruction increased alarmingly. By providing more
animals, Christian Aid will produce more human misery, more land
degradation and ensure that more animals will die from starvation,
thirst and exhaustion.’ 

Notes to Editors
The Christian Aid 1,000-mile Cut the Carbon march and rallies were
launched July 14 in Belfast. On August 27, Birmingham is the venue.
Then comes an event in Cardiff, before the October 2 finale at the
London Stock Exchange and a service at St Paul’s Cathedral. 
Last year the national campaign organisation triggered a major media
debate following publication of an article in a national newspaper by
the Animal Aid director, criticising animal gift schemes to the
developing world. 
Read the full background
 http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/CAMPAIGNS/vegetarianism/ALL/659/
More information from Andrew Tyler at 01732 364 546. After hours:
07918 083774 

References

Livestock’s Long Shadow, Food and Agricultural Organisation, 2006 
Read a copy of Andrew Tyler’s letter to Dr Daleep Mukarji 
http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/CAMPAIGNS/vegetarianism/ALL/1620//
Animal Aid, over the past two years, has raised money for an
irrigation scheme and a tree-planting project linked to a vegetarian
orphanage in the Rift Valley province of Kenya. 

Animal Aid campaigns peacefully against all animal abuse, and promotes
a cruelty-free lifestyle. You can support our work by joining, making
a donation, or using our online shop.
Contact Animal Aid at The Old Chapel, Bradford Street, Tonbridge,
Kent, TN9 1AW, UK, tel +44 (0)1732 364546, fax +44 (0)1732 366533,
email info@animalaid.org.uk.