EU CONSIDERING SEAL HUNT SANCTIONS AGAINST CANADA

6.20.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 31st Mar 2008

The European Commission is considering an EU-wide ban on Canadian seal products in protest at the inhumane methods of killing used in the annual Canadian seal hunt, which was due to start late last week. A ban could cost the Canadians over £10 million in trade each year.

Local Euro-MP Liz Lynne has long campaigned on animal welfare issues and is highly critical of the hunt, saying:

"I would support such a ban on Canadian seal products if there is no change in the barbaric practices used. Many still suspect that the 'hakapiks' used to cudgel seals often do not kill them, and that hunters end up skinning many seals alive - an appalling death. The unwelcome reception and unhelpful response given to visiting EU inspectors last year does nothing to alleviate these concerns.

"In addition the age of many seals killed is worrying. The Canadians banned the killing of seals under twelve days old but of course this still means that seals under a fortnight old may be slaughtered. With so much good quality artificial fur available, I am amazed that the government of an otherwise civilised country wants to continue with this barbarism."

"Let us hope that the movement towards an EU ban, which would give additional weight to bans in Belgium, the Netherlands and the US and bans under consideration in other EU countries, will be enough to change this appalling practice."