[lilacmoonbeam]

I recently found out that the British Army are using fur from Black Bears hunted in the US and Canada for this purpose only for the Army's ceremonial hats. You know the famous black tall hat? Changing of the Guard etc.

Here's a link which explains more

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearskin

With a picture of the hat, I'm sure most of you will recognise.

The army have apparently tried out a synthetic version and found it not to be suitable??? for some reason, however they find synthetic furs ok to use in other places?

Hundreds of bears are killed every year for this disgusting piece of clothing, and it's all for the tourists!!! I bet 99% of them have no idea what they are actually getting their picture taken beside

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takea...135619808#body

I have made a petition for people to sign against this disgusting practice, I would be grateful if you would sign this.

I have only had 3 signatures so far and desperately need more

 

[shaved_women]

I signed it. I think it's a despicable practice!

 

[sallyomally]

Done. Thanks for letting us know about this.

 

[lachry]

After signing the petition, contact the Ministry! Do this *now* because Peta Europe is meeting with the MOD next week. Pass this info around.

The Rt Hon. Des Browne, MP

Secretary of State for Defence

Ministry of Defence, Main Building

London SW1A 2HB

+44 (0)207 218 9000 (ask for the office of Secretary of State Des Browne)

+44 (0)207 218 7140 (fax)

or direct:

[email protected]

If you call Secretary Browne's office, you will likely either speak with Cathy Price or Sylvana Mamo. Please explain your concerns, stress the urgency of ending the MoD's use of bearskins.

If you are a Brit, be as rude as you want. It's your right. If you are a 'foreigner' just make up some **** and bull story about how you always thought Britain was a nation that cared about animals, etc., that this harms Britain's reputation that you will boycott the changing of the guards, that your respect for the British monarchy has been seriously dented since learning about this massacre, etc. That you don't know how you could, in good conscience, visit Buckingham palace again. These people aren't interested in the animal cruelty aspect, if they were they would have stopped this barbarity years ago, what they are interested in is reputation, profits, etc.

Believe me, all of the MOds pathetic excuses for not getting rid of those hats will go out of the window once Americans and continental Europeans start arguing, "actually, we don't think much of the Queen anymore...."* if they think the Queen's rep is being tarnished by the bear slaughter, the hats will be gone in an instant).

*(which would itself be good, becuase as a Brit the aristocrats p*** me off no end).

 

[nat*star]

I signed.

 

[GhostUser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilacmoonbeam

The army have apparently tried out a synthetic version and found it not to be suitable???

What the..? That's...

 

[pepper pig]

I sent an email a few weeks ago about this to the defence secretary - don't think I have had a reply yet. I'll sign your petition as well lilacmoonbeam (nice name). Its just crazy that they wear real bear skin - makes me sick, and all just for ceremony as well - another reason why for me we need to rid ourselves of a monarchy in this country.

 

[Jay Smizzle]

You say that the British army kill bears from Canada, if you look on the link you posted (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearskin) it clearly says that the Canadian Army also use bearskin.

This practice is not limited, however, to just these countries Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Holland and Sweden are also listed as killing bears for their fur for use in a militarally cerimonial context.

I suggest that you aim your petition, not to the British Army, but to the Canadian government. If the Canadians are also using bear fur then they will therefore sympathise with the British when it comes to supplying it, if it were to be stopped in Canada then the Canadians may well be less inclined to sell the fur to the British, and undoubtedly the Belgians, Danish, Italians, Dutch and Swedes also.

 

[PlaybackGuru]

Thats a great idea....but this thread is over 2 years old.

 

[bluegold]

Well things have moved on , at least they are talking

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/se...litary.fashion

The Ministry of Defence will meet an animal rights group tomorrow to discuss ethical alternatives to the world famous bearskin hats worn by guards at Buckingham Palace.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) will suggest new designs for guardsmen's headgear, which could mean the end of the traditional 45.7cm (18-inch) tall fur hats.

The charity said the MoD was not happy with prototypes for a similar hat. Now it is proposing a new shape is adopted and has approached designers including Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney and Marc Bouwer. Robbie LeBlanc, Peta's director for Europe, admitted suggesting a new shape was controversial but added that a new design could be "iconic" too.

He said Peta campaigners had spoken to people watching the guards at Buckingham Palace about the use of the skins of Canadian black bears to make their hats.

"Most people think it's fake fur and when they find out it's real and it takes one bear to make a hat, they are appalled."

LeBlanc said the MoD spent just over £320,000 on bearskin hats in the past five years. Other fur, like the leopardskin aprons worn by ceremonial drummers, has already been replaced with fake versions.

Lady Taylor, the minister for defence procurement, will meet Peta representatives including LeBlanc. He said the meeting would be the first with "the top person" to discuss bearskins.