After Ending Partnership with Anti-Hunting Group

(Columbus) - Michelin, a leading tire manufacturer, has decided to end its support of a national anti-hunting group after receiving numerous contacts from sportsmen.

Michelin told the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance that its sponsorship of the Red Star Emergency Services Division of the American Humane Association (AHA) would end at the conclusion of a bobble head promotion on June 25, 2004.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, a leading sportsmen advocacy organization, and other conservation groups had alerted sportsmen about the issue and urged them to contact the company.

Michelin’s program involved a $5 donation to the AHA from every Michelin Man bobble head distributed between May 1 and June 25.  The toys sell online and are free with the purchase of new Michelin passenger and light truck tires. 

“Businesses are often uninformed about the actual agenda of animal rights organizations,” said Bud Pidgeon, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance president.  “Sportsmen contacted Michelin and let the company know that every dollar corporate America provides to fund animal rights groups’ programs represents money that is made available for campaigns to end hunting and trapping nationwide. To its credit, Michelin has responded to sportsmen’s concerns and is ending the relationship.”

The AHA opposes all hunting and trapping.  It has demonstrated this opposition through support for federal legislation to ban black bear hunting using bait and support for state and federal legislation to ban trapping.  It’s website states: “American Humane opposes the hunting of any living creature for fun, trophy, or for simple sport.”

Sportsmen should thank Michelin North America for ending its relationship with a national anti-hunting organization by contacting Mr. James Micali, Chairman and President, Michelin North America, Inc., 1 Parkway South, Greenville, SC, 29615.  Phone (864) 458-5000.  Fax (864) 458-6359.  Toll Free (800) 847-3435.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers nationally in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs.  For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.