On the Farm of Hope blog page, or Mr. Yoshizawa’s farm page, there is a discussion of what the Japan Veterinary Medical Association would like to do with the cattle. A NEW PROJECT, is what they call it. The meeting was for July 28, 2012.
Starting Time: 12:30 ~
Debate Time: 13:00 – 19:00Location: “Kibou No Bokujyou” Administration Office
Dogenzaka Peer 4F
1-22-7 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………On March 12, 2011, an explosive accident occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant’s Unit #1, and one year and 5 months have passed by since then.“We could not think of evacuating leaving the cows behind.”If abandoned, the cows would die of starvation, and they would not survive without water. Even to this day, there are more than 10 livestock farmers who do not think twice about their own physical bodies being exposed to contamination, as they enter the exclusion zone to protect their cattle. There are said to be approximately 1,000 heads of cattle that have survived and are living today.Let there be a light of Hope to the uninhabited exclusion zone filled with much sorrow and pain…….
On the 5th of this month (Thursday,) there was a meeting of informational exchange held by the Japan Veterinary Association called out to the livestock caretakers within the 20km radius zone. Each facility reported on their current facility condition, the number of herds, and their current situation. There was an exchange of comments regarding the problems and issues being encountered, the practicality ideas regarding the contaminated cattle, and the future plans.
Subsequently, the Japan Veterinary Association-side proposed an idea of forming a new project with the Japan Vet Association taking the lead to take the contaminated cows out of the zone, to divide them into groups, and to manage and care for them.
The outline of this project was as follows:
(1) to seek to return the contaminated animals to the state of “livestock”
(2) to utilize them to manage the abandoned land for cultivation purpose
(3) to utilize them for research which may include euthanizing and slaughtering
What do you all think ? …. on the meaning of life for the contaminated cattle
After one year and 5 months since the disaster, there are still many farmers who are desperately continuing to search for ways to keep the cattle alive. This issue is directly linked to the problems of the caretakers’ own health and lives.
Even at the Kibou no Bokujyou farm, the amount of radiation (external contamination only) is well over 40 milli-Sievert per year. There are some farmers who commute to areas that are over radiation level of 300 milli-Siervert per year to see their cows.
In addition –
If we were to seek to return the contaminated cattle to the state of “livestock,” would the consumers allow such ?
What would the farmers who had agreed to the slaughter think of it ?
This problem includes many extremely difficult subject matters.
From the period following the accident to now, the ones that have supported and aided the contaminated cows and their owners are not the local or the Federal Government, nor the Japan Veterinary Association – it was you, the private supporters and volunteers who wished for them to stay alive.
Please, let us hear your voices.
The nuclear accident and radiation which none of us have ever experienced.
The answer may not just be one.
We believe that Hope may become visible by us discussing all together.
Even among the farmers as well as those inside Kibou no Bokujyou Fukushima, everyone’s thoughts vary. From the day that we decided to keep them alive, we anguished, and only time went by without having any answers.
While many precious and irreparable lives were lost on one hand, when we come across a herd of cattle hurdled together inside a desolate field trying to survive , how delighted we feel to sense the meaning of “being alive.”
And now, the many voices of all of you supporters have come together to serves as a driving force. Because of such a time as we face now, we all must re-think together.
The boundary line called the “Exclusion Zone.” It is a place where Hope and Despair intermingle. How many more years is this harsh reality to continue ?
“We have nothing to hide. We must ask and question all of our supporters honestly.” says Representative Yoshizawa. With the Kibou no Bokujyou’s “raison d’etre” at stake, we would like to hold this open forum debate.
We thank you in advance for your kind understanding and cooperation.
http://fukushima-farmsanctuary.blogzine.jp/blog/2012/07/post_d698.html
