Letter to: Alex Salmond, First Minister, Mr Pan Hejun, Minister Counsellor of Chinese Embassy, Madam Tan, Consulate General, Chinese Consulate Edinburgh, Sir Robert Smith, Patron, China Now in Scotland, Professor Timothy O'Shea, Principal and Vice Chancellor, University of Edinburgh and Professor Stephen Blackmore, RBGE Regius Keeper.

Copies to: Local press

21 February, 2008

Dear Sir or Madam,

Re: China in Scotland

In the run-up to the launch of the "China in Scotland" programme we have to voice our grave concern at the extreme levels of animal cruelty in China. Abuse of animals in China is on the rise and they are afforded no protection under current legislation. In the absence of any legislative or governmental controls, animals in China are subjected to the most horrific and extreme forms of abuse on a daily basis.

Whilst welcoming the Scottish Government's commitment to improve Scotland's links with China, at the launch of the "China in Scotland Now" programme, we urge you not to ignore the plight of the most innocent and vulnerable members of China. Scotland is in a position to take a strong stand against the cruelty inflicted on animals in China as well as work with the Chinese government to implement and enforce legislation to end such wholesale cruelty. Scotland should not be seen to be supporting animal cruelty that would be illegal in this country.

More and more people are now beginning to boycott China including celebrities like Paul McCartney who have refused to perform in China. Increasing numbers of the Chinese population and those resident there are voicing their deep distress due to the inhumane treatment of animals in China. Human rights violations are well documented and well evidenced in China. Overwhelming evidence is now pouring forth of the gross violations of animals as well. It is time for China to put an end to the nightmare of animal abuse.

As a minimum, we ask that China:

- Ban the live skinning of any animal;
- Ban the trade in dog and cat fur;
- Ban the trade in dog and cat meat;
- Ban the trade in bear bile;
- Ban all forms of cruelty to animals.
-Open up the fur animal farms for investigation

Due to China's reluctance to act against the horrific treatment of animals there, Edinburgh took part in a series of global protests on 13th of February, 2008. As part of this global movement, Edinburgh campaigned outside the Chinese Consulate to raise awareness and to urge the Chinese Government to introduce strict legislations.

We will also be present today at the launch of the "China in Scotland Now" programme at the Royal Botanic Gardens, to protest against the lack of commitment from both the Chinese Government and the Scottish Government to bring about an end to animal cruelty.

With the eyes of the world now firmly on China, we are hoping the government will use this opportunity to commit to a timetable for ending the extreme and systematized abuse of animals. Legislation needs to be introduced now and for China to honour their pledge to improve animal welfare and immediately implement the proposed protection laws.

We urge you to support this campaign and take the strongest action to put an end to the barbaric cruelty inflicted on the animals in China.

We look forward to hearing from you,

Edinburgh the Fur Free City