European Union PASSES Ban On Seal Products
 Tuesday, May 5th, 2009  by Connie T.

Image via Rachel S

Last month we told you about the scheduled vote for the European Parliament as to whether or not the European Union should ban seal products, which would save millions of seals, pups included, from being speared or bludgeoned to death by commercial seal hunters for their skin, fat, oil and fur.

And...YOU DID IT! So many of you responded and signed the petitions, and the EU listened to citizens' opposition of the cruel trade. Despite the Canadian government lobbying and threatening trade retaliation, the EU still ruled to ban its trade in seal products.

Carl Schlyter, Swedish Member of the European Parliament, took the HSUS up on their offer to show him what goes on in and around the Arctic to these poor creatures. After witnessing it first hand, Schlyter drafted the initial version of the ban that passed today.

The Commission welcomes today's vote by the European Parliament...banning the trading of seal products within and into the European Union. The aim of the regulation is to ensure that products derived from seals hunted for commercial purposes are no longer found on the European market.

That was a quote from the European Union, who also stated that tens of thousands sent in letters to the Commission and Parliament with their concerns about seal hunting. This is perfect example of how you really can make a difference.

The loss of the European market will result in Canada's sealing industry losing nearly $7 million per year: and last year, the commercial seal hunt brought in less than $7 million. Meaning? It is the beginning of the bitter end.

If you are one of those pioneers that is boycotting Canadian seafood until the country outlaws the barbaric hunting practices, don't go buying any just yet. The seafood boycott is still active until Canadian action is taken, and so far the fishing industry there has lost $750 million in the value of snow crab exports alone to the US, according to HSUS.

Cinco de Mayo and a victory for seals...pour the bubbly, please!

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