Ban the Cruel Seal Trade | BanSealTrade.eu | Public Opinion from Around the World

Public Opinion from Around the World

24^th March 2009


Public opinion is against commercial seal slaughter. © Mark Glover/Respect for Animals UK

The majority of citizens from Canada, Europe and the United States want to see an end to the commercial seal slaughter:

Nearly 70 percent of Canadians holding an opinion are opposed to the commercial seal slaughter outright, and even higher numbers oppose specific aspects such as the killing of seal pups. (Environics Research, 2005)

Seventy-nine percent of residents of the United Kingdom believe that the annual Canadian seal slaughter should be stopped, and 73 percent support a ban on the import of seal products into Britain. (Opinion Research Business, 2005)

Ninety-five percent of people in the Netherlands deem the Canadian commercial seal kill to be unacceptable, and 92 percent support a Netherlands ban on the trade in seal products. (Dutch Institute for Public Opinion and Market Research, 2005)

Ninety-one percent of people in Germany and 80 percent of people in France who are aware of the Canadian seal slaughter oppose it. (MORI, 2002)

Seventy-nine percent of American voters oppose Canada's seal kill, and 65 percent are unlikely to travel to Canada as a result. (Penn, Schoen & Berland, 2002)

Today, the European Parliament made history when it voted overwhelmingly to ban trade in seal products.

We could not have won this victory without our supporters. Advocates in Europe and around the world sent letters, faxes, and emails showing the decision-makers in the EU that people care deeply about the seals. When we all work together, we can make a real difference for seals and other animals.

Europe has been a primary market for Canadian seal products, and many believe this ban spells the beginning of the end of the slaughter; however, the fight is not over yet. That is why we will continue maintaining economic pressure on Canada's fishing industry through our boycott of Canadian seafood products. We will continue pressing for a strong law in Canada to stop commercial sealing. And we will continue to lobby other nations to ban seal products.

Thank you for being a part of this historic campaign to save the seals. I know we can count on you to stay with us as we bring a final end to Canada's commercial seal slaughter.