Boycott Chinese Musical Instruments, China and their dog and cat fur trade Options

[AmandaL]

I'd just like to lobby all animal loving musicians out there to boycott purchasing Chinese instruments and accessories, even other things you use at home, in protest against the awful trade in dog and cat fur in China. As we all know, we DO have a choice about the products we buy and there are lots of good, non-Chinese instruments on the market, just as there are lots of good products for everyday life that aren't made in China.

These traders steal animals, usually young puppies and cats, and brutally beat them to death before skinning them. Some of the poor animals are tied down and skinned ALIVE!!!! There are even fur farms in China, where cats and dogs are purposely bred for their fur. Much of the fur ends up here in the UK as fur trim on clothing or accessories!!!

There is a campaign going on to stop the import of fur into the UK, but the entire cat and dog fur trade needs to be stopped altogether, so please help by not buying Chinese products. The Chinese government has to know that people around the world will not stand by and let this cruelty go on.

Not convinced?? If you have a much-loved pet at home take a look at them and imagine how you'd feel about them being skinned alive to make you a fur trim for your jacket.

[meerkat]

I love animals, and was involved in animal rights activism for many years. But my main reason for boycotting as much chinese product as I possibly can (and let's face it, that's hard in the chinese product flooded market) relates to the gross human rights abuses that continue to be perpetuated.

[AmandaL]

But my main reason for boycotting as much chinese product as I possibly can (and let's face it, that's hard in the chinese product flooded market) relates to the gross human rights abuses that continue to be perpetuated.

Agreed with unanimously. Looks as though we will be adding to the reasons to boycott.

[Tess]

I'd just like to lobby all animal loving musicians out there to boycott purchasing Chinese instruments and accessories, even other things you use at home, in protest against the awful trade in dog and cat fur in China. As we all know, we DO have a choice about the products we buy and there are lots of good, non-Chinese instruments on the market, just as there are lots of good products for everyday life that aren't made in China.

These traders steal animals, usually young puppies and cats, and brutally beat them to death before skinning them. Some of the poor animals are tied down and skinned ALIVE!!!! There are even fur farms in China, where cats and dogs are purposely bred for their fur. Much of the fur ends up here in the UK as fur trim on clothing or accessories!!!

There is a campaign going on to stop the import of fur into the UK, but the entire cat and dog fur trade needs to be stopped altogether, so please help by not buying Chinese products. The Chinese government has to know that people around the world will not stand by and let this cruelty go on.

Not convinced?? If you have a much-loved pet at home take a look at them and imagine how you'd feel about them being skinned alive to make you a fur trim for your jacket.

I saw the documentary by Stella McCartney and was so upset by it. It was so cruel. I understand that people living most of the time under zero temperatures like in northern Russia/Canada or in the Artic probably do need to wear fur but WHY do the Chinese breeders have to do it SO cruelly? Can't they give them a sudden and painless death? I felt really UPSET for the cute mink.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) VN

[Roger]

I have sympathy with your concerns on both the human rights and animal rights issues, however I don't think you should use these forums for political camapaigning. There are plenty of other web sites for this purpose.

[elisabeth_rb]

I have sympathy with your concerns on both the human rights and animal rights issues, however I don't think you should use these forums for political camapaigning. There are plenty of other web sites for this purpose.

Also, can we be at all sure that the makers of instruments have any connection whatsoever to animal cruelty? Should everyone in China be punished for the behaviour of a few? Should the livelihood of innocent people be spoiled as some of their fellow countrymen behave poorly? There are umpteen abuses here too, but we don't boycott British because of our own compatriots' misdemeanors.

I know it's emotive, but we need balance really. Also, it's unlikely to make any real difference. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[crazy_purple_piano_freak]

Also, can we be at all sure that the makers of instruments have any connection whatsoever to animal cruelty? Should everyone in China be punished for the behaviour of a few? Should the livelihood of innocent people be spoiled as some of their fellow countrymen behave poorly? There are umpteen abuses here too, but we don't boycott British because of our own compatriots' misdemeanors.
I know it's emotive, but we need balance really. Also, it's unlikely to make any real difference. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I kind of agree...

Personally I think that these incidents of atrocious cruelty to animals should definitely be addressed. I didn't watch the McCartney documentary but heard about it and such events really upset me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) However, I don't think we should take the situation out of proportion. Like Elisabeth RB, I don't think all the Chinese should be punished for this, or all Chinese manufacturers of instruments. Only a select few of extremely sick minded people. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) It doesnt mean a complete boycott on Chinese instruments (I'm sure there are equally upsetting things done by other countries but this doesn't necessarily mean we have to boycott their goods), but we should just take care on what we are buying and if you don't trust where its from, don't buy it...thats all.

[Louise]

I'd just like to lobby all animal loving musicians out there to boycott purchasing Chinese instruments and accessories, even other things you use at home, in protest against the awful trade in dog and cat fur in China.

We don't need to boycott anywhere. Just need to educate our fashion gurus. They dictate what the majority of people are going to wear.

No need to cause bad relations with other countries, just dispel the need for it over here. The problem lies with us, not them. If we want it, then there is no market for it. End of story.

[Noodelz]

I'd just like to lobby all animal loving musicians out there to boycott purchasing Chinese instruments and accessories, even other things you use at home, in protest against the awful trade in dog and cat fur in China.

We don't need to boycott anywhere. Just need to educate our fashion gurus. They dictate what the majority of people are going to wear.

I agree. Anyway, there is no point in trying to boycott chinese instruments: 1) Unless you are going to make it known to the world, there is no point, it will make almost no difference. The US buy lots of things from China. 2) If there is a problem, stand up to it's face and deal with it. The companies making instruments have nothing to do with animals. China is too big for the Goverment to monitor what everyone does. If you want to be heard, boycott the fur companies which are being creul.

There is no point in trying to create unwanted tensions while the US still aren't sure about how to treat China.

[AmandaL]

We don't need to boycott anywhere. Just need to educate our fashion gurus. They dictate what the majority of people are going to wear.

No need to cause bad relations with other countries, just dispel the need for it over here. The problem lies with us, not them. If we want it, then there is no market for it. End of story.

But it needs to be remembered that a lot of people don't realise this goes on or indeed where the fur comes from, or what animals are being used for fur. I have never worn and never would wear real fur - I would always check before purchasing a piece of clothing or an accessory. Fashion gurus don't care what they sell, all they want is their money and they aren't likely to take any notice of any campaign while the public are buying up their products by the thousands. The GENERAL PUBLIC need educating about what goes on. Once they know, they are more likely to stop buying and only then would any fashion house change what they sell.

[meerkat]

Really? No point? As a South African, who watched the transition to democracy that was aided by a large scale economic boycott of South African products, I have to disagree. The boycott helped to bring Apartheid to an end. China is engaged in widespread human rights abuses, and has been for decades. I don't believe the particular involvement of individual manufacturers is terribly relevant to be honest.

And pointing out the horrors of the conditions under which some of these instruments are made is hardly irrelevant to musicians, nor is it political campaigning.

[Louise]

But it needs to be remembered that a lot of people don't realise this goes on or indeed where the fur comes from, or what animals are being used for fur. I have never worn and never would wear real fur - I would always check before purchasing a piece of clothing or an accessory. Fashion gurus don't care what they sell, all they want is their money and they aren't likely to take any notice of any campaign while the public are buying up their products by the thousands. The GENERAL PUBLIC need educating about what goes on. Once they know, they are more likely to stop buying and only then would any fashion house change what they sell.

Yes, agreed. The general public including the fashion gurus (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) We've done it before, we can do it again. I remember the previous campaign. Worked wonders. Surely that must be tried first.

[bassmadmatt]

Erm, what has musical instrument manufacture got to do with the fur trade? I can't see any link myself, it's like someone saying 'let's boycott British computers (or other random item) to protest against hunting (or other controversial policy)'. That's not to say I don't agree with stopping the fur trade, but I don't think that musical instruments have much to do with that.

Matt (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[miochy]

Erm, what has musical instrument manufacture got to do with the fur trade? I can't see any link myself, it's like someone saying 'let's boycott British computers (or other random item) to protest against hunting (or other controversial policy)'. That's not to say I don't agree with stopping the fur trade, but I don't think that musical instruments have much to do with that.

Matt (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Yes, except hunting should never have been banned....another stupid 'big brother' thing from our stupid government.
(Yes, I am from the country so understand what a hunt actually does and how they work with farmers).

[AmandaL]

Yes, except hunting should never have been banned....another stupid 'big brother' thing from our stupid government.
(Yes, I am from the country so understand what a hunt actually does and how they work with farmers).

Just one thing I'd like to point out, that puts the hunting ban into perspective. If planet Earth could talk I think it would consider us humans as pests - there are seven billion of us (and increasing) greedily clogging up the planet, rapidly squandering its resources and destroying the parts of it that replenish the air we breath. When all those resources are gone, they're gone. This little blue planet is all we have to support us; there ain't nowhere else for the human race to go!