News © theother press Shoot Grizzlies With Cameras, Not Guns Sara James News Editor The Raincoast Conservation Society has issued a research study of revenues generated through the hunting of BC grizzly bears. The Centre for Integral Economics researched and compiled the report “Crossroads: Economics, Policy, and the Future of Grizzly Bears in British Columbia” for the Society. According to the researchers, viewing and/or tak- ing photos of grizzly bears brings in twice the amount of revenue at approximately $6.1 million annually. The report’s Executive Summary states, “total revenues are directly attributable to the pres- ence of grizzlies.” Using current revenue figures, the report project- ed $75 million in grizzly viewing and $40 million in grizzly hunting. Donna Morton, Executive Director, Centre for Integral Economics, states, “The argument to maintain the hunt as a significant economic bene- fit is flawed. Ecotourism is one of the fastest-grow- ing industries in British Columbia, and increases BC’s reputation for being “Super Natural,” but it is hurt by the killing of grizzlies.” The report findings include: The ongoing grizzly hunt could have a negative Page 8 impact on the overall economic activity related to grizzly bears by reducing the number of bears. The costs of effectively monitoring the grizzly population to ensure its integrity are far more expensive than the economic benefits of the hunt. A four-percent annual growth rate over 20 years in grizzly viewing ecotourism could make up the entire revenue shortfall from a complete moratori- um on grizzly bear hunting. The report inspired the creation of the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of British Columbia. Ecotourism businesses hope the report can attract greater numbers of tourists interested in shooting. grizzly bears with a camera rather than a gun. Members of the Association offer trips into remote wilderness areas of BC for the purpose of viewing grizzly, black, and spirit bears in their nat- ural habitats. Dean Wyatt, owner of Knight Inlet Lodge and Director with Commercial Bear Viewing Association of BC, feels the government should support ecotourism. He believes it would create jobs and help save the environment. e http://otherpress.douglas.be.ca July 2003 McDonald’s Begins Elimination of Growth Promoting Antibiotics in Meat Sara James News Editor McDonald’s announced that it has requested its suppliers to phase-out the use of growth-promoting antibiotics in the meat supplied to the corporation. The antibiotics of concern are those found in human medicine. Concurrently, McDonald’s estab- lished a Global Policy on Antibiotics Use in Food Animals that encourages the reduction in the use of other antibiotics. Frank Muschetto, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Supply Chain McDonald’s Corporation, stated, “As a company Management at committed to social responsibility, we take seriously our obligation to understand the emerging science of antibiotic resistance, and to work with our sup- pliers to foster real, tangible changes in our own supply community, and hopefully beyond.” While the policy is aimed at direct suppliers who annually produce more than 2.5 million beef, chicken, and pork, McDonald’s is asking indirect suppliers to apply the guidelines in the policy. In 2002, McDonald’s and several organizations including Environmental Defense, an environmen- tal advocacy organization, formed an Antibiotics Coalition. According to Gwen Ruta, program director for Environmental Defense, the policy acknowledges the viability and affordability in reducing the use of antibiotics, “By working together, McDonald’s and Environmental Defense have leveraged the compa- ny’s purchasing power to help reverse the trend of antibiotics overuse in animal agriculture.” Direct suppliers control the stages of animal pro- duction and determine when antibiotics are used. Most of McDonald’s poultry is provided through direct suppliers, who now must verify compliance with the new policy. McDonald’s is offering incentives to indirect sup- pliers who meet the terms of the Global Policy on Antibiotics Use in Food Animals. Compliance can elevate their status to “preferred.” The new policy formally globalizes actions already taken by European McDonald’s, which began reducing antibiotics in 2000. Antibiotics had been eliminated from chicken feed used by European suppliers by the end of 2001. In the US, in 2001, McDonald’s began to phase-out the antibiotic class of fluoroquinolones with its poultry supply. McDonald’s intention is to continue working with the Antibiotics Coalition to adopt similar food policies.