1-12-04
Barrett calls for import ban to fight mass seal slaughter
John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh
West, today called on the UK Government to introduce a ban
on the import
of all seal products from Canada in response to the mass
slaughter of seals being seen in the country.
Canadahas started a three-year programme to slaughter over
one million seals, marking the biggest cull for 50 years.Over
600,000 harp and hooded seals were slaughtered between 2003
and 2004 alone. The devastating cull involves seals
being shot and clubbed by hunters and international vets
found that up to 42% of seal pups were skinned alive.
A number of organisations, including the Royal Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, have reacted angrily
at the Canadian Government's refusal to call off the slaughter.
A petition to the Canadian High Commissioner has attracted
almost 15,000 signatures from people across theUK.
John Barrett is one of a cross-party group of MPs, who have
signed a parliamentary motion, calling on the UK Government
to impose a ban on seal products from Canada.
Commenting, John Barrett said:
“I appreciate that some steps have to be taken to protect
fish stocks but this kind of action is simply barbaric. The
video footage I have seen of very young seals being clubbed
and skinned alive was absolutely horrifying and was enough
to convince me to put my name to this parliamentary motion. I
am sure most of my constituents would find this kind of action
equally as disgusting.
“The Belgian Government has already banned the import of seal
fur. The UK Government should be taking a stand against
this kind of animal cruelty by taking similar action.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
• Mr Barrett is one of 27 MPs, who have backed Early Day Motion
32
That this House deplores the number of animals killed during the 2003 and 2004 Canadian slaughter of harp and hooded seals counted as more than 600,000; notes that a study of the slaughter in 2001 by international veterinarians found that up to 42 per cent. of the seal pups were skinned alive while conscious; is concerned that a further 300,000 seals are set to be killed during 2005; notes that leading animal welfare groups from around the world are planning a boycott of Canadian fish products unless the Canadian Government brings an end to the seal slaughter; further notes that the Belgian Government has banned the import of seal fur; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to introduce at the earliest opportunity a ban on the import of, and trade in, all seal products and to convey its gravest concerns to the Canadian Government over the continuation of the seal slaughter.
• More information on the issue can be found at the RSPCA website
www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=RSPCACampaigns/
Sealcull/SealcullHomePage&articleid=1081322588276