GERMANY: Karl Szmolinsky a rabbit breeder from Eberswalde selling his over-sized rabbits to North Korea, aiming to ease the chronic food shortges there

Record ID: 653487

  • Title: GERMANY: Karl Szmolinsky a rabbit breeder from Eberswalde selling his over-sized rabbits to North Korea, aiming to ease the chronic food shortges there
  • Date: 13th January 2007
  • Summary: (BN12) EBERSWALDE, GERMANY (JANUARY 12, 2007) (REUTERS) RABBIT BREEDER KARL SZMOLINSKY WALKING TO RABBIT CAGES "D" FOR DEUTSCHLAND CAR STICKER ON SIDE OF RABBIT STALLS READING "CENTRAL REGISTRY OF GERMAN RABBIT BREEDERS" VARIOUS OF SZMOLINSKY TALKING TO HIS RABBITS (SOUNDBITE) (German) KARL SZMOLINSKY, RABBIT BREEDER SAYING: "I don't know what's happening over there in Korea. Here in Germany we also slaughter and sell rabbits. That's what rabbits are for, just like sheep or pigs. Meat supply has to be secured. Koreans now want to start with that." SZMOLINSKY MEASURING A RABBIT VARIOUS OF A RABBIT, NAMED ROBERT, NEXT TO ANOTHER, MUCH SMALLER BROWN RABBIT (SOUNDBITE) (German) KARL SZMOLINSKY, RABBIT BREEDER SAYING: "I insist on biological food. Rabbits are a white meat product, very nutritious and not too fatty. Yes, Robert, yes yes (talking to rabbit) You see, he is totally tame." "GERMAN GIANTS" STICKER ON SZMOLINSKY'S JACKET SZMOLINSKY HOLDING UP ANOTHER RABBIT ROBERT'S BABIES IN HAY
  • Embargoed: 28th January 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Environment / Natural World
  • Reuters ID: LVA54JM8PM30B8DP7XX3JG0CG9YU
  • Story Text: A German rabbit breeder is selling his over-sized rabbits to North Korea, aiming to ease the chronic food shortges there.
    The first contingent of 14 animals is already in Korea, according to Karl Szmolinsky, from the eastern state of Brandenburg. He is sending off another batch in February. In April Szmolinsky is planning to visit the reclusive country himself.
    Szmolinsky has never been abroad and said he is afraid of flying but was convinced by fellow rabbit breeders to take up the opportunity.
    The North Korean agriculture ministry contacted him through the embassy in Berlin after officials saw a film about his rabbits.
    "I don't know what's happening over there in Korea," Szmolinsky told Reuters Television when asked whether his animals would be treated well.
    "Here in Germany we also slaughter and sell rabbits. That's what rabbits are for, just like sheep or pigs."
    United Nations aid agencies have warned of a looming food crisis in North Korea where summer floods destroyed crops and worsened a chronic grain shortage.
    Szmolinsky noted the animals, weighing about nine kilograms each, are nearly three times heavier than a normal-sized rabbit and provide a good deal of white meat.
    Szmolinsky, who said he was selling his rabbits to Pyongyang at a favourable price, plans to travel to North Korea to check they are getting properly fed and cared for.
    He said although the rabbits are relatively easy to look after, they need intakes of carrots or potatoes twice a day, plus plenty of water.
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