Issue Based
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Are eggs acceptable to the ethic of BWC?
No, ethically eggs are unacceptable to BWC. Our stand basically conforms to veganism and the Indian concept of “pure vegetarianism” (lacto-vegetarianism) due to the common mandatory use of the green Veg symbol on packaged food articles. Furthermore, the Government of India classifies eggs as non-vegetarian and if used as an ingredient in packaged foods, the Non-veg symbol is required to be displayed on such products.
Does BWC consider milk acceptable to its ethic?
BWC recognizes the harm done to animals in the dairy industry and therefore promotes and encourages veganism. Many of our members and some of our trustees are vegans – they do not consume milk, honey, varkh and shellac, or use leather, fur, silk and wool.
What is BWC’s stand on “humane slaughter”?
BWC does not believe in or support so-called humane slaughter because there can be nothing humane in murder. Killing is totally unacceptable to BWC.
What is BWC’s stand on “mercy killing”?
BWC does not believe in turning animal welfare to animal farewell via so-called mercy killing. BWC emphatically condemns all killing. Each and every life wants to live, and BWC upholds its right to live. Like all other vegetables, carrots and tomatoes lack anything resembling a brain or central nervous system. Because they are deficient in these respects, there is no reason to think of vegetables as psychological beings, with the capacity to experience pleasure and pain, for example. It is for these reasons that one can rationally affirm rights in the case of animals and deny them in the case of vegetables.
I wish to do something for the stray animals in my area. How can BWC help me?
BWC is a specialist NGO. It works for the commercial exploitation of animals only. It therefore does not have a program for dealing with stray animals. While we encourage neutering the animals and a no-kill animal birth control program, our constitution does not include work for stray animals. We would therefore gladly put you in touch with relevant organizations who do work for stray dogs, cattle, etc. Similarly, we cannot say exactly where to draw the line when it comes to those animals that have psychology. But we can say with absolute certainty that, wherever one draws the line on scientific grounds, primates and rodents are on one side of it (the psychological side), whereas slugs and amoebas are on the other — which does not mean that we may destroy them unthinkingly.
There are butcher shops in my lane. Isn't there something we can do?
Yes, legal action can be taken against them since they are all unauthorized and illegal. (Slaughter can only take place in designated places.) However, knowing the situation of corruption and connivance between the law enforcement authorities and the law breakers, such an action might not be effective or advisable and we would like to warn people against taking rash steps that could invite physical retaliation resulting in harm.
However, for the record, the action that may be taken is as follows: give a complaint in writing to the local municipal authorities about possible encroachment by the butcher and conducting of unlicensed activity, and asking them to remove the structure and get the business stopped. For security reasons make sure that such a petition is signed by a group and not you as an individual.
However, for the record, the action that may be taken is as follows: give a complaint in writing to the local municipal authorities about possible encroachment by the butcher and conducting of unlicensed activity, and asking them to remove the structure and get the business stopped. For security reasons make sure that such a petition is signed by a group and not you as an individual.
Does organic imply the product is vegetarian/vegan?
No. The word organic means derived from living organisms – vegetable and animal. Organic fertilisers or manure (commonly thought of as cattle dung and poultry poop) could very well have in addition to plant waste, added ingredients like bone, blood and other animal body parts such as chicken feathers, ground egg shells and dried fish.
Organic only implies that no agrochemicals such as pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, fumigants, rodenticides, complex fertilisers, etc. that are harmful to human health have been utilised. These pesticides indiscriminately kill life in the soil like lady-bugs and worms, considered farmers’ friends. They can kill birds too.
Organic only implies that no agrochemicals such as pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, fumigants, rodenticides, complex fertilisers, etc. that are harmful to human health have been utilised. These pesticides indiscriminately kill life in the soil like lady-bugs and worms, considered farmers’ friends. They can kill birds too.