globalocean.org.uk

Global Ocean are supporting a prolific campaign led by Care for the World International in the UK against the shameful selling of live freshwater turtles by Tesco in its stores in China.

A large body of evidence has been built up by scientists and experts from around the world demonstrating the terrible suffering involved in the butchering of live turtles, and the lack of sustainability of turtle farming.

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Conservation Threat

Two fifths of the world's tortoises and freshwater turtles and three quarters of Asian species are already threatened with extinction as a result of human consumption. By selling freshwater turtles for food Tesco is supporting their ongoing demise.

Tesco argues that turtles sold in its stores are farmed and therefore do not affect wild populations. Recently published research, however, suggests that there are several reasons why this is not the case.

Wild turtles are caught to establish new breeding facilities as well as to supplement existing stocks because successive generations of farm-raised turtles show a marked decrease in reproductive capability.

It is said by some consumers that wild-caught individuals are said to possess better potent tonic qualities, so wild turtles continue to be exploited.

When farmed turtles escape, high levels of parasites and water-born pollutants are discharged into the environment.

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Animal Welfare

In addition, the main slaughter method that Tesco currently uses is decapitation. Turtles, however, metabolise and use up oxygen very slowly and can therefore remain conscious for more than 15 minutes following decapitation. They will experience extreme pain and both veterinary and scientific guidelines explicitly state that decapitation is inhumane and not recommended. If Tesco were to treat turtles in the UK as they are doing in China, the company would not only be breaking it's own ethical standards but would face prosecution for cruelty to animals.

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Responsibility

As the UK's largest retailer, Tesco is in effect representing Britain when it operates overseas. The practice is damaging to the reputation of British industry, particularly at a time when China is being encouraged by western governments and non-government organisations to develop animal protection legislation.

We believe the company has an opportunity and a responsibility not only to expand British business interests in the Far East, but also to do so in an ethical manner. We expect them to apply the standards that consumers in the UK would demand at home, which at present are not happening.

Tesco has so far resisted the opportunity to set an example abroad in developing a policy based on science and conservation. We believe that policy makers therefore should be applying pressure on Tesco to cease this barbaric trade.

If you would like further information on Freshwater Turtles and the past campaign please follow the link to Care for the Wild's website.

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How Can I Help?

We would urge you to write to your local MP or MEP in order to persuade them that Tesco should be encouraged to apply ethical standards that consumers in the UK would expect them to apply at home.

Here is How You Can Do It

Write a letter in your own words. Unfortunately we cannot provide a template as identical letters will be filtered out by the website used to send them. Letters also tend to be far more effective if written individually. Please do feel free to include some of the ideas that have been outlined below though.

A British company, Tesco, is aiding the acute extinction crisis of Freshwater turtles by selling them for food in their stores in China.

Recent research shows that although Tesco says that they do not harm wild populations because they only use farmed turtles, this is not the case.

Wild turtles are caught to establish new breeding facilities as well as to supplement existing stocks because successive generations of farm-raised turtles show a marked decrease in reproductive capability.

It is said that wild-caught individuals are said to possess better potent tonic qualities by some consumers, so wild turtles continue to be exploited.

When farmed turtles escape, high levels of parasites and water-born pollutants are discharged into the environment.

The method of turtle slaughter is also very cruel – Veterinary guidelines explicitly state that it is inhumane.

The practice is damaging to the reputation of British industry, particularly at a time when China is being encouraged by western governments to develop animal protection legislation.

Canvassing support of MPs for the campaign to convince Tesco to end this disturbing practice.

Visit the Write To Them website.

Enter you postcode to discover your local MP or MEP, click on their name and follow the prompts to write your message.