Tuesday May 5, 2009, 12:09 pm



Thnx Claudia!!!

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 12:09 pm
The Canadian sealing industry grappled with the loss of a $2.4-million a year market for seal products Tuesday, as the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of a ban across its 27 nations.


The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans expressed disappointment and opposition to the move by the European Union member countries.


"The decision by the European Parliament lacks any basis in facts," Fisheries Minister Gail Shea said in a statement. "The Canadian seal hunt is guided by rigorous animal welfare principles which are internationally recognized by independent observers. I once again caution my European counterparts about the dangers of pursuing politically motivated bans on other countries' traditional industries. Our government will stand up for the jobs and communities that depend on the seal hunt."


Seal industry workers said the decision was a blow.


"It's a black day for Atlantic Canada for this ban to go ahead," said Robert Courtney, president of the North of Smokey Fishermen's Association in Nova Scotia. "It's really going to have an impact because it's not just sealers who will be affected, but fishermen, too. We didn't think they would do it."


The European Parliament voted 550-49 in Strasbourg, France, ending a long battle to shut off a key market for Canada's sealing industry.


Courtney, who has been a sealer and fishermen for more than 30 years in Dingwall, N.S., said he'll now have to compete with an overpopulation of seals for his livelihood.


"The government needs to step in to find another way to bring the herd into check, if it requires a cull, then so be it," he said from on board his six-man vessel.


Courtney said the ban was voted upon based on inaccurate information from animal rights activists.


"They based their opinion on a 10-second clip. The activists provoked us, did everything in their power to get that clip," he said. "We've changed our regulations to make things more humane, but there is nothing we can do when the one purpose of the activists is to try to stop this seal hunt."


The Canadian government has already threatened to challenge the legislation, expected to take effect in the first half of 2010, at the World Trade Organization.


"If the EU imposes a trade ban on seal products it must contain an exemption for any country, like Canada, that has strict guidelines in place for humane and sustainable sealing practices," said International Trade Minister Stockwell Day.


"If there is no such acceptable exemption, Canada will challenge the ban at the World Trade Organization (WTO)," Day said in a release.


The government is studying the exact wording of the proposed regulation. The fisheries minister said government will take appropriate action to protect Canada's sealing industry and continue to defend the interests of Canadian sealers.


"A European ban would have a devastating impact on thousands of Canadian families in remote coastal communities who rely on the seal hunt for 25 to 35 per cent of their annual income," Shea said.


"In these difficult economic times the impact of such a loss is even more serious and many families will have to make tough decisions about their future if access to the European market is lost."


The European Parliament's proposed ban cannot become law until it has been adopted by the Council of the European Union, which represents the member states. Shea and Day said the government of Canada will continue to aggressively counter the campaign being waged by professional anti-seal hunt lobby groups.


Anti-sealing forces were jubilant over the decision.


"It was a landslide victory," said Rebecca Aldworth, director of the Humane Society International Canada.


She said parliamentarians who supported the law held up photographs and stuffed seal toys before the electronic vote.


"We're absolutely thrilled. This is a historic moment in the campaign to stop commercial seal hunts around the world."


In Newfoundland, Earle McCurdy, president of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union could not contain the anger he felt towards the EU Parliament. He said the thousands of sealers his union represents in the province urge the federal government to take immediate action.


"We're disgusted with the ban, actually. They are trying to tell us how to live, to pass judgment on how we live with no regards whatsoever for the impact a growing seal population would have on our fish stocks. In our view, Canada has no recourse but to take . . . action against the World Trade Organization," he said.


McCurdy said sealers have always been a target of animal rights activists more than any other industry.


"The killing of any animals is not an attractive proposition. Most of it is done behind doors where no one ever sees it," he said. "The seal hunt has two issues: No. 1, it is conducted in plain view, outdoors, and No. 2, there are people who think seals are cute, therefore should have some special status above and beyond any other animals."


National Inuit leader Mary Simon said this ban has "devastated" her community, and other First Nations and Aboriginal groups who depend on sealing for livelihood.


"Our economies had rebuilt themselves and we fought to make sure that this day would not visit us once again — to avoid the tragic situation of the 1980s," she said in a statement. "This will cause more despair among our Inuit youth . . . This EU wide ban shows the escalating cost of inaction."


In the 1980s, an imports ban on whitecoat seal pelts eventually led to the collapse of that area of the commercial sealing industry.


Fur Institute of Canada spokesman Rob Cahill said the industry will target markets in China and Russia while it awaits the WTO dispute settlement process, a process that typically drags on for years.


"It's quite sad," said Cahill in a telephone interview from Strasbourg.


The only Canadian senator to sign a recent universal declaration backing the seal hunt called the ban "deplorable."


"The European parliamentarians have been under pressure and blackmail for years, not just recently," Liberal Senator Celine Hervieux-Payette said Tuesday.


"This was aggressive marketing by people who are mainly vegetarian. It has nothing to do with seals."


Hervieux-Payette, who was joined by a number of other politicians and scientists in signing the proclamation, said the ban does not hamper the efforts of the Universal Declaration on the Ethical Harvest of Seals, which calls for the "natural" seasonal seal harvest.


Aldworth said the Canadian government, rather than fight the decision, should respect the wishes of the European Union as expressed by their elected representatives.


She said Ottawa should develop a sealing licence buyout package and, instead of paying high-priced trade lawyers to go to the WTO, invest money in alternative economic development initiatives for sealers.


She said Russia, which has recently ended its commercial hunt of harp seals younger than one year, is likely to follow Europe's lead by banning seal product imports.


According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, 5,000 to 6,000 people in Newfoundland and Labrador derive some income from sealing. Sealing is also practised in Quebec and elsewhere in Atlantic Canada, and by Canada's Aboriginals.


The department estimates the population of seals in Canada at 5.6 million animals. Earlier this year, it set the nationwide hunting quota at 280,000 harp seals.


In 2008, Canada exported $2.4 million worth of seal exports to EU countries, including fur, fats and meats.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 12:48 pm
as a canadian, I am embarrassed at the spin the government is putting on "canada's shame". countless voices around the world and the EU spoke up for justice for the seals. stop trying to make an inhumane slaughter of innocents anything else than what it is and listen to the majority.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 1:01 pm
with all the money spent defending this "tradition" of bloody murder, the Canadian government could have retired these people for life.......
between the PR, ads, trips abroad, etc. & legal fees.....it's rediculous

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 1:09 pm
You are soooooo right BigCatR

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 1:20 pm
http://e-activist.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=17&ea.campaign.id=2780&msource=DR090401001

Keep the pressure on
Help us in the next weeks to reach 200.000 e-mails and letters to send: 1 for every seal that will be killed this year
(dutch website)
Voornaam/*First name
Achternaam /Last name
Adres
Stad/City
* Provincie/State
Land/Country
* Postcode/zipp
* E-mail adres *
Telefoonnummer/phonenumber

Volgende/next

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 1:23 pm
I can't remember being more ashamed of our "neighbors." Big Cat Rescue A. is right. It's rediculous for the Canadian government to spend so much money on PR, trips abroaf, legal fees...the sealers could've retired a long time ago. One burning question I'd like to ask these murders: "How can you look these innocent babies in their huge, beautiful, black orbs and beat or shoot them to death?" Don't they realize that-like Sarah Palin-they are going to come face-to-face with GOD and answer for what they've done? Thanks Claudia, sadly noted.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 1:26 pm
Kudos Big Cat Rescue A.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 1:29 pm
You cannot currently send a star to Claudia because you have done so within the last week.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 1:50 pm
I read the comments on the actual story board and I must say, those pro-sealers are one rabid mob.

Hopefully, the EU will not be swayed by the canadian mission coming to confront them.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 2:02 pm
Now the ban is a FACT and the end (economical at least) of the slaughter as well
Do Canadians still want to pay for this game? If not - everything in their hands.
How long Canadians will aprove what their goverment does to the animals??

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 2:03 pm
Oh, yes there is possibility that those poor hunters will wear seal skins and eat seal meat all year around.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 3:18 pm
SCOUNDRELS! (FOR LACK OF A DIRY WORD) Sure is a joke Claudia. How anybody could club these babies is beyond me. I first saw the clubbing 30 yrs ago on vacation. (TV) Since then I've been trying to do what I can to stop this!
Sickens me~~~

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 3:29 pm
It makes me sick, but these scum obviousley enjoy what they do, how they can sleep at night is beyond me.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 4:45 pm
People will do anything for money. I'm really disgusted with Canada,ever since I found out about the mass graves of Indian children. If they don't care about children do they really care about seals. They are disgusting.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 4:54 pm
Thankyou Claudia!
The Canadian Govrnment is reaching for straws now..lol
What next...

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 4:56 pm
Hard facts and science....how about a knock upside the head w/ a hackapick - just to confirm how humane it is - would that be enough hard facts for 'em?

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 5:30 pm
They need to get a life or should I say get another job! The seal hunt is DEAD!!!

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 6:17 pm
It is really quite funny to watch people justify their actions, especially when they have been caught in the act. It never fails.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 7:28 pm
Big Cat I agree this should have been stoped years ago. Its cruel and inhumane, I also agree with Roseann that too is a very good one to get them to see just how it feels or don't feel at least see it comming and know the fear of death comming at you. They can't run speak nothing so yes a real good slap up side the head is a very good idea. Let them make money other ways, I know they don't depend on this for there whole year living thats BULL Crap!!! Find another way to line there pocketts like picking up can's to recycle ech? noted

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 7:35 pm
Thanks for posting Claudia!! I am really happy about this ban. I know it will effect the lively hoods of some people but I really don't care. They need to get a real job anyway. Slaughtering baby seals is not a job it is a demonic calling. They need to join the ranks of humans and not the soulless evil demons among us.

One more step towards the survival of the innocents and the downfall of the killers.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 9:06 pm
"The EU Parliament voted 550-49 Tuesday to eliminate seal product imports — such as such as pelts, oil, and meat — a prohibition that would mean a $2.4 million loss for the Canadian industry."

A 2.4 million dollar loss? If it wasn't so sad that baby seals are brutally killed, and the Canadian government subsidizes it to prop it up, that quote would be laughable. Canadian industry loses 2.4 million...
That's a pittance compared to what is spent on social programs. It even pales compared to what this slaughter is costing the Canadian taxpayer in subsidizing and promoting it.

The end of this practice will come about, as demand totally disappears.

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 12:07 am
Thank you Alicya,I sended out a letter to keep the pressure on,I think you are right,now is the time to act,so stop complaining everybody and act for the seals,once and for all!

Dank u dat u de tijd heeft genomen om uw steun te betuigen aan het wetsvoorstel van Harb. Met uw hulp kunnen we voor eens en altijd een einde maken van de wrede commerciële zeehondenjacht.

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 12:13 am
Tell all your friends to act and take the time to stop this!!

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 12:37 am
Hopefully one day the Canadian government will understand why they are doing wrong things towards humanity.

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 5:06 am
illegal trade will probably bring more money for the bastards. sorry, my view is so very jaded when it comes to animal slaughter.
ty Claudia for your great coverage on our precious babies.

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 6:33 am
The demand for seal products has been steadily declining for quite some time. This industry is doomed no matter what. The EU ban has just sped up the process. When the taxpayer costs of propping up an industry, is greater than the value of the products, then it's just a matter of time.

No amount of petitions, lobbyists, subsidies or legislation, can be more effective than all people simply refusing to buy the products. That is the sure and fast way to stop it, and it's working.

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 9:21 am
this good and great news noted

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 9:22 am
thansk cladidia for this acticle

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 2:17 pm
We have to keep standing firm, I despise those that can't see what they are doing to these lovely creatures, it is cruel and dispicable to do this to any animal for that matter... Hopefully, they will never rise out of the dust again, that they may be trampled over and over again, where as the become good for nothing, like salt that looses its flavour...

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 3:03 pm
I was aware that Canada would take the EU to the WTO who can be unreliable. The UK banned Chinese fireworks as they were proven to be unsafe but China won!

However, I can't see how Canada can claim that they kill humanely when anti-cubbing organisations have pictures of white cubs being hit on the head along with those of the cub still being alive. As for scientific, I still stand by the fact that we have the right to reject that which is an horrific and horrendously cruel practise. (This ought to include Chinese products!) This means that, whether or not the EU wins at the WTO, we have to continue to target companies such as Burberry who continue to use real fur on their designer products. Just because we have won this round does not mean we have won the war and we should not rest on our laurels, there are other countries still cubbing. Even if we stop all cubbing, there are still fur farms.....

Thursday May 7, 2009, 12:45 am
Great News,claudia.It looks like the spirit of Karma has finally brought justice to innocent baby seals being slaughtered.

Thursday May 7, 2009, 3:56 am
You cannot currently send a star to David because you have done so within the last week.

Thursday May 7, 2009, 10:12 am
Just how do you argue with disgusting logic? like this. How on earth do people like this become in charge of what they hate?

Direct Quote from: John Efford, Former Newfoundland Minister of Fisheries and Former Canadian Minister of Natural Resources:

"Mr. Speaker, I would like to see the six million,
or whatever number is out there, killed or sold, or destroyed or burned.
I do not care what happens to them.
The fact that the markets are not there to sell more seals.
What they (the fishermen) wanted was to have the right to go out and kill the seals. They have that right, and the more they kill, the better I will love it."