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| Truth.....What Truth? Continued |
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The Brian Davies Foundation is a holding corporation affiliated with IFAW, the sole purpose of which appears
to be managing investments of IFAW. In 1991 this foundation earned $214,494 in stock sales, $83,134 of which
involved companies that either sponsor animal experimentation or were under boycott for other reasons
pertaining to animal and habitat protection. Now there is a conflict of interest if I ever saw one. These
companies included pharmaceutical and chemical labs which used animal experimentation to try and defend
cigarette smoking and a company called Waste Management which was fined $50 million for environmental
violations.
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| If We Can't Earn It...Buy It |
In 1994, the IFAW sent Brian Davies to Russia to buy integrity by buying Russian scientists from the
Russian Institute of Marine Research (PINRO). Yet again they take advantage of the disadvantage of others.
At this time the scientists salaries were very low if not non-existent. The IFAW offer, contracts worth $300
a month for the impoverished scientists provided they stop killing seals for research or using seals provided
by commercial hunters.
One of the scientists, Vladimir Potelov, called it "a fabulous salary," but rejected it because it would
undermine the foundation on which the institute based its management advice. "As scientists we cannot waive
the right to use the scientific data necessary to provide the best possible advice on how to manage sealing".
He was also quoted as saying, "extremely disturbing that rich organizations in the West can operate in such a
way."
At one point some 28 scientists at PINRO are believed to have accepted IFAW's offer. In addition to these
personal "grants", IFAW also offered an annual grant of $20,000 to the institute. It is not known whether PINRO accepted this offer, but in 1995 donations were reportedly accepted by half a dozen other
Russian institutes involved in marine mammal research.
The IFAW was then involved in setting up the Russian Marine Mammal Council which described itself in a
promotional document as "an independent organization to unite scientists researching marine mammals." In
reality, the Council is a direct extension of the IFAW program which first targeted PINRO.
The Council has announced the disbursement of grants to 51 Russian researchers working for various
organizations, again with IFAW active support. In view of these developments, it seems clear that the Council
has been established by IFAW to serve as a front for its activities in Russia, and to lend them credibility.
I guess the IFAW has an "if you can't beat em, buy em" policy.
In Guelph, Ontario, there is an organization called the International Marine Mammal Association (IMMA).
Despite attempts by the IMMA to distance itself from the IFAW in the public's perception, IFAW 1993 annual report
reveals that the IMMA is in fact an IFAW subsidiary and has an IFAW director as its CEO. The IMMA principal
function is to provide scientific "evidence" in support of IFAW positions, authoritative quotes for IFAW press
releases, and interviews with the mass media. Ably heading the team of marine biologists at the IMMA is one
David Lavigne, a prolific writer and speaker on sealing and trapping in support of IFAW positions on these
issues. Lavigne is usually identified by his other affiliation, with the University of Guelph, and
occasionally as the IMMA's executive director.
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