Local MP Backs Seal Products Ban

With the annual Canadian seal hunt starting today, the government has renewed its pressure on the EU to ban the commercial importation of listed products of Harp and Hooded seals, throughout the European trade area.

The ban would bring the products of Harp and Hooded seals into line with the ban of the trade of 'Whitecoat' and 'Blueback' seal pups, which have been banned throughout the EU for around 20 years.

The lobby comes on the back of consistent government opposition of the Canadian seal hunt. Every year the Canadian government sanctions a quota allowing 275,000 seals to be killed, usually shot or bludgeoned to death. In the past five years seal deaths have totalled 1.5 Million, the majority of which were pups under 3 months old.

The government has intensified its campaign after deep concerns were raised by members of the public, MPs and animal welfare groups against the hunt. The focus is now on banning the import of products of seals regardless of their age.

Angela Smith MP, who has seen the seals on the Canadian ice-flows first hand, said “I am pleased the government is taking the correct action to prevent the cruel and barbaric treatment of seals in Canada. It is of the highest importance that British consumers are protected from being involved in the killing of thousands of seals. I am proud to support this action.”

For more information on the campaign against the international fur trade go to http://www.respectforanimals.co.uk/