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MEPs back plan to help stop seal cruelty
May 8, 2009 5:01 PM
After a vigorous debate, a ban on EU imports of seal products has been overwhelmingly backed by MEPs in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The EU ban will hit Denmark and Italy most strongly, but is not expected to have major economic consequences.
The measure, which had cross-party support, is intended to halt the purchase of skins from seal pups killed in huge numbers in Canada. More than 300,000 baby seals may be killed for their white pelts each year in what has been described as the largest slaughter of marine mammals on earth. Pictures of the pups being clubbed to death, and allegations that some are skinned alive, have led to huge protests. Opinion polls suggest that a majority of Canadian citizens oppose the hunt though it is likely that the EU ban will be legally challenged by Canada.
Liberal Democrat MEP for London Sarah Ludford said:
"I have many letters from people sickened by the sight of helpless baby seals being slaughtered on the ice. So this ban on the selling of seal products within the EU respects the wishes of the many European citizens including my London constituents who have expressed their opposition to the commercial seal hunt."
"I hope that indigenous peoples such as the Inuit whose traditional lifestyles are associated with seal hunting, including in Greenland and in the EU, will be able to benefit from the exception provided. The challenge now is to make sure that the implementation of this regulation is workable for the communities most affected."
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