INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ANIMAL SENTIENCE:
17-18 MARCH 2005, QUEEN ELIZABETH II CONFERENCE CENTRE, LONDON  
 
The conference is being organised by the Compassion In World Farming Trust [see full details below]. It will 'focus on important new scientific discoveries about the sentience of animals and the profound effects these might have on all areas of human life'. It 'will be addressed by some of the world's leading experts in animal and veterinary science, agriculture, conservation, food supply, retailing, government policy, education, philosophy and ethics. A keynote address will be given by renowned primatologist Dr Jane Goodall, United Nations "Messenger of Peace".'

McDonald's scheduled speaker is UK Vice President, Mike Love. He was formerly their 'Head of Communications' and was the corporation's representative responsible for their propaganda throughout the McLibel case. In the trial verdict he was found to have issued 300,000 false and defamatory leaflets attacking London Greenpeace and the McLibel defendants. Prior to his career at McDonald's he was election aide to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

The nature of Mike Love's contribution to the conference has not been outlined, but since McDonald's were found by the McLibel trial judge to be "culpably responsible for animal cruelty", it is unlikely he will contribute much of value and it seems more likely that the company is aiming to use their association with this event for PR purposes.

The McDonald's Corporation has been responsible for causing the horrific and untimely deaths of tens of billions of cows, chickens and pigs over the last 50 years. These were sentient creatures, cruelly and ruthlessly enslaved throughout their lives and then killed for the Corporation's profits.

The Corporation was also found guilty of employing marketing which "pretended to a positive nutritional benefit which their food did not match"; that they "exploit children" with their advertising strategy; and "pay low wages". It was also found to be fair comment to say that their employees worldwide "do badly in terms of pay and conditions", and true that "if one eats enough McDonald's food", this may well lead to "the very real risk of heart disease."

The McDonald's Corporation was founded in April 1955. The conference will be on the eve of their 50th anniversary. The event, and the anniversary generally, will be an opportunity for public protest for all those who want to see an end to cruelty to animals, the exploitation of workers, the unethical targeting of children, the promotion of junk food and unhealthy diets, and damage to the environment.

- McLibel Support Campaign (London) - January 2005

------- Forwarded Message ----------------------------------------

US speakers at landmark animal conference

Below, please find a diary note announcing a landmark international conference on animal sentience that is being held in March 2005. Dozens of the world's foremost animal scientists will be addressing the conference, including several from the US.

Among these are: - Dr Mike Appleby, vice president of The Humane Society of the United States and head of their Farm Animals & Sustainable Agriculture section: - Prof. Temple Grandin, Colorado State University, a world expert on the humane handling and slaughter of farm animals who works with the farming industry to raise welfare standards. - Prof. Joy Mench is Professor of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis. An expert on the behaviour and welfare of poultry, she carries out behavioural research on chickens, quail and ducks directed towards improving aspects of their housing, handling - Prof. Marc Bekoff, an expert in animal consciousness from at the University of Colorado, Boulder who has published several books on the subject;

Also addressing the conference will be Mike Love*, vice president of the McDonald's Corporation, responsible for European corporate affairs and lawyer Steven Wise, a pioneer in the field of animal rights law in the United States.

We do hope the conference will be of interest to you and your readers - if you require more information, I would be glad to help.

Best wishes,

Carol McKenna
Conference publicity
Tel: +44 (0) 1962 793003
Email: carolmckenn@aol.com

LANDMARK INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ANIMAL SENTIENCE

"FROM DARWIN TO DAWKINS: THE SCIENCE AND IMPLICATIONS OF ANIMAL SENTIENCE" - 17-18 MARCH 2005, QUEEN ELIZABETH II CONFERENCE CENTRE, LONDON

This ground-breaking international conference, organised by the Compassion In World Farming Trust, will focus on important new scientific discoveries about the sentience of animals and the profound effects these might have on all areas of human life.

This unique gathering will be addressed by some of the world's leading experts in animal and veterinary science, agriculture, conservation, food supply, retailing, government policy, education, philosophy and ethics. A keynote address will be given by renowned primatologist Dr Jane Goodall, United Nations "Messenger of Peace".

The conference will interest those who work in: food production, trade and retailing, agriculture/ forestry, conservation, environment, animal science & veterinary, regional, national and international regulation and policy, education & training and rural development.

For further details including the programme speakers go to
www.ciwf.org/conference2005

For media inquiries contact conference press officers Carol McKenna on: + 44 (0) 1962 793003 or Andrew Mckenna on: + 44 (0) 1962 793007 or email: ciwftrust@ciwf.co.uk  
 
 
 
contact details 
 
McLibel Support Campaign
5 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9DX, UK.
Tel/Fax: +44 (207) 713 1269
E-mail: mclibel@globalnet.co.uk
Web: http://www.mcspotlight.org 
 
 
 
related links  
 
- press releases & statements
- press cuttings: McDonald's
- press cuttings: McLibel
- press cuttings: Campaigns
- press cuttings: McLibel film
- press cuttings: related stuff
- The McLibel Trial
- witnesses statements, transcripts, evidence