In Bali, the high demand for the luwak coffee has created a ruthless industry built on an immense animal suffering and an inferior product.
civet beans Caged
Kopi Luwak , or coffee made from beans that have passed through gut Asian palm civet (luwak), was a growing global trend among coffee connoisseurs. They do not know that most of the Luwak coffee produced in Bali comes at a price much higher than that coffee lovers pay for a product of supposed quality.
Traditionally, Luwak coffee beans came from wild civets, with the villagers to harvest from the forest floor and selling them to producers. In fact, it is the coffee plantation workers employed by the Dutch during the colonial era in Indonesia who discovered the single brew. Prohibition of picking coffee beans for their own consumption, farmers have resorted to collecting the beans contained in the feces of the civet. It soon became clear that, once cleaned and roasted, fermented beans resulted in a smooth cup of coffee.
Unfortunately, because of the growing demand for Luwak coffee producers try to maximize profits, the traditional method of collecting feces of civet has given way to a battery farming system. Today, most of the Luwak coffee Bali is made from beans from caged civets who often live in appalling conditions and are fed beans force.
Janice Girardi, founder of Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA), said she heard one Kopi Luwak plantation on the island trying to get his beans wild civets. "The collection of feces is a very laborious process and most producers choose the easy way, which usually involves keeping civets in captivity and in inhumane conditions."
During the peak tourist season, BAWA receives many complaints from tourists in distress who are clueless about the conditions in which civets are kept Luwak coffee plantations. BAWA investigated numerous complaints by paying visits to these producers. "BAWA's findings were shocking. The Kopi Luwak captive industry causes discomfort, pain and distress of civets. The animals are shy and nocturnal, but often they are forced to live in the glaring artificial light with other animals and tourists from the gawking "at them. People prick them with their fingers across their cages, "said Girardi.
While most producers do not even try to hide the fact that their luwak kopi just civet cats in cages, some claim their coffee is made from beans from civets in nature as it actually is far from reality. a survey conducted by people for the ethical treatment of animals showed that many producers mislabel their coffee claiming that it comes from wild civets, when in fact it has incarcerated civets. not only unethical, such as labeling errors means consumers are not receiving the kind of product they are paying for.
in the past, the coffee production process Luwak started with wild civet cats that roam the jungle to select the most juicy, ripe coffee cherries. This resulted in high quality coffee beans. Caged civets are forced to eat large quantities of low quality grains, which in turn results in an inferior product.
The kopi luwak industry in Indonesia is largely unregulated. animal protection laws of the country are low, largely irrelevant and rarely enforced. "There are many inhumane animal practices in Bali and Indonesia that should be regulated, including the cruel use of civet cats for profit," Girardi said. "BAWA studied relevant laws with legal counsel and advocates laws tougher, better enforcement and tougher penalties for offenses against animals. There is so much cruelty to animals here that in most other environments would be criminal. "
BAWA launched a responsible tourism program that encourages tourists looking for attractions and other facilities that rely on animals before visiting to avoid supporting cruelty to animals.
"We urge people not to buy Luwak coffee is produced by civets in captivity. If there is no demand, production, and its associated cruelty will come to a halt" said Girardi.
"We work hard to educate children and school communities about the importance of respecting animals. We also work to reform laws on the protection of animals in Indonesia. This is the one of our greatest challenges and requires a lot more resources than we have. "
change can start with us all, and the average person can do much to stop cruelty in the coffee industry Luwak. Janice said that it is better to stay away from Luwak coffee Bali as much comes from civet cats in cages, even the Luwak coffee promoted as 100 percent cage free. "People should avoid visiting farms that civets in captivity and should not support the operators offering visits to these facilities," Girardi said. "In addition, anyone can write a letter to their local Indonesian embassy calling for a ban on holding and agriculture civets for Luwak coffee, and the strengthening and implementation of legislation to protect the welfare of wild and domestic animals in Indonesia. "
Janice said that the future of the industry depends in Bali producers and the public. "If producers humanly supplies of wild civets that promote and are supported by consumers, it could encourage those who continue to use caged civets to change. If consumers and retailers refuse to buy farms using civets in captivity, lack of demand for their products will force the producers to change their practices or to fold, "Girardi said." This kind of change will not happen overnight. The real key to change is the protection laws of Indonesia animals improved and applied severe penalties for offenders. This work is ongoing. "
Please report any abuse to tour operators, retailers Luwak coffee and BAWA (preferably in writing with photographic evidence / video). Also, BAWA is looking for anyone with legal expertise willing to give a little time. Email :. info@balianimalwelfare.com