So Veg

May 15, 2007

by Julia Barnes

The momentum to stop the Canadian commercial seal hunt continues to build in Europe as this year’s slaughter of baby seals draws to a close. The Canadian government continues to ignore the steadily growing opposition from around the world, but European citizens and legislators are stepping up efforts to end the cruel hunt for good.

The European Parliament has called for a full European Union ban on harp and hooded seal products, a move that will see one of the biggest markets for seal pelts close. The European Commission has committed to undertaking a study on the humane aspects of the hunt, the results of which will provide the foundation for the legislation.

Many individual countries have also taken action. Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Austria, Italy, Luxembourg, Croatia, Panama and Mexico have all either banned seal products or announced their intention to do so. They join the United States, which has prohibited seal product trade since 1972.

There is overwhelming support for the bans from the European public, and citizens have begun to demand action against Canada’s cruel commercial hunt in other European nations as well.

As global markets for cruel seal products continue to close, many people believe an end is finally in sight for Canada’s commercial seal hunt.

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