Newfoundland and Labrador will be wasting some serious cash
to fund a pro-sealing campaign just in time for an appeal of the World Trade
Organization’s (WTO) decision to uphold the European Union’s (EU) ban on seal
products.
In 2010, the EU enacted a ban on seal
products, including fur, meat and blubber, with exceptions for Inuit and other
indigenous communities and for products that were derived for non-commercial
purposes as a result of managing marine resources.
In November, the WTO ruled to uphold the EU’s ban,
citing “public moral concerns” over the welfare of seals. The cruelty that
is inherent in this industry has been a well documented source of global
outrage. The ruling was a huge victory, but not just for seals. As the International
Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) pointed out at the time the WTO’s recognition of
our right to oppose and reject products that we believe are cruel and
unsustainable was a victory in and of itself.
Canada, which relies on exports to keep the hunts going,
didn’t really see it that way. Both Canada and Norway formally appealed the
WTO’s ruling, maintaining that these hunts are humane and well regulated. Even
with pelt prices dropping and a global market that’s disappearing with product
bans already in place in the U.S., Mexico, Russia and Taiwan, the government
continues to try to support the brutal slaughter of thousands of baby seals
every year.
Now, Newfoundland and Labrador will be spending more money
to fund an awareness campaign that is supposed to dispel myths being spread
about the industry. Fisheries Minister Keith Hutchings said the province will
give $60,000 to the Seals and Sealing Network, a pro-hunting group that will
lead the campaign.
Wake up Canada and Norway! You are still trying to justify
the brutal slaughter of thousands of baby seals every year instead of helping
fishermen transition into other jobs.
Murray Kibblewhite
Author
The Minke Connection
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