WINNIPEG – A New Democratic Party politician said animal rights activists are trying to co-opt her into their campaign against the pregnant mare’s urine industry.
Last week, People Acting for Animal Liberation, a group based in Winnipeg, sent reporters a news release stating Marianne Cerilli is backpedaling on earlier criticism of the PMU industry.
Cerilli’s office prepared a report in 1993 that was critical of drug company Wyeth-Ayerst, which makes Premarin in Brandon, Man. The drug is derived from pregnant mare’s urine. A U.S.-based activist group called People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals quoted this report in news releases as recently as last month.
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Cerilli, who is running for re-election under the NDP banner in the Winnipeg riding of Radisson, said she has repeatedly asked PETA to stop using her name and report as part of its campaign.
Cerilli said she’s primarily concerned with the environmental impact of the Brandon plant, which is on the Assiniboine River. However, she said PETA focuses its campaign on farmers and the way horses are treated.
“I do not agree with the approach that they’re taking. They are not even bothering to look at the environmental impact assessment process. They are simply going after the farmers,” Cerilli said.
Cerilli said she doesn’t know why PAAL has taken this up as an issue, but plans to contact the coordinator, James Pearson.
Pearson was not available for comment.
