Hostility to the cruel violence against our fellow creatures is mounting world-wide and many anti-vivisection societies are organising specifically against the LD50 procedure.

NZAVS filled petition forms are pouring in and the response is heartening. It has been suggested that the Society advertises the petition in the daily and weekly papers, however as we rely totally on subscriptions which hardly cover basic costs, and as our members are fortunately still alive and we do not yet benefit from any legacy, it is therefore the responsibility of individual members to publicise the LD50 campaign. It has been decided to extend the time-limit for the return of petition forms.

The convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes

The finalised long-awaited document which has been on the boil since 1979 in the Council of Europe, is expected to be handed to a committee of Ministers in London later this year. The Convention, when ratified by countries which make up the EEC, will seal the fate of millions of animals imprisoned in the laboratories of countries which have inadequate or no present legislation. The minimal regulations laid down in the convention will give the green light to legitimised pain and suffering being based on the continued assumption that it is morally justified to use the bodies of living animals in the pursuit of 'scientific' knowledge and 'advancement'. In Great Britain where well-defined but ineffective laws have been in practice since 1876 many people working for animal rights consider that for Great Britain to be levelled by all-Europe legislation is a backward step which bodes ill, not only for animals but for those dedicated to the concept of animal rights. Meanwhile the Animal Liberation Front gains strength and is becoming increasingly active internationally.

New Zealand general elections

November 1983

Any politician worth his salt in this country will now be keenly watching the turn of events as the drama in Great Britain unfolds. On the one side archaic philosophies draw up already obsolete laws of oppression - whilst on the other side an increasing section of the public is demanding a release of animal prisoners from their existence of suffering and misery as ethics towards our treatment of non-humans are being examined and challenged.

These are the first arrests in Scotland

Recent reports from the Animal Liberation Front detail at least 150 raids on vivisection laboratories and factory farms within the last couple of months.

The College of Technology in Glasgow was the target in May where activists were arrested for rescuing rodents being used in the LD50 Test.

Never in history has there been a more important time for animals...