SEALING INDUSTRY FUTURE ON THIN ICE

 

Global Markets for Seal Products Are Closing

 

WASHINGTON (February 13, 2006) – Noting a growing international backlash against the Canadian sealing industry, The Humane Society of the United States today congratulated the Italian Government for its decision last week to ban the imports of seal products temporarily and its introduction of a bill to permanently halt the trade. The bill was supported by all parties in the current governing coalition.

 

The HSUS recognized the efforts of Italian animal protection group Lega Anti Vivisezioni, which has worked for several years to expose the brutality of Canada’s commercial seal hunt in Italy.

 

“Globally, the markets for Canadian seal products are closing. The Italian decision alone will put an end to a trade valued at several million euros in 2005,” stated Rebecca Aldworth, director of Canadian wildlife issues for The Humane Society of the United States. “Clearly, Canada’s commercial sealing industry is in trouble.”

 

The Italian decision followed last week’s decision by the Mexican government to ban all trade in seal products, and the announcement by the Greenland government earlier this year that it would stop the imports of Canadian sealskins, just 23 hours after The HSUS’ 2005 seal hunt footage was broadcast on national television. These countries are joined by four European nations currently working to ban the trade in all seal products.

 

In the United States, seal products have been illegal since 1972 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and The Humane Society of the United States is now calling on American citizens to boycott Canadian seafood until the seal hunt is ended for good. “The Canadian government has said Canada’s fishing industry has the power to end the commercial seal hunt,” stated Patricia Ragan, director of the Protect Seals campaign. “Simply by choosing not to buy Canadian seafood products, Americans can help create enough economic pressure for them to do it.”

 

In the months since the boycott was launched, more than 400 restaurants and companies have joined, from the culinary world-famous like Canadian celebrity chef Jamie Kennedy to trendy locales such as Tavern on the Green. In addition, nearly 200,000 individuals from around the world have signed the online pledge to boycott all Canadian seafood. A list of all companies supporting the Protect Seals boycott of Canadian seafood is available at www.RestaurantsForSeals.org .

 

Despite the mounting global pressure, the sealing industry appears ready to proceed with its hunt for baby seals in 2006. A team from The Humane Society of the United States will be on hand to document the cruelty. For more information on The HSUS seal campaign, please visit www.ProtectSeals.org .