January 26, 2007 - The Humane Society of the United States today congratulated the European Commission for its positive response to the European Parliament Written Declaration #38. That resolution called upon the Commission to draft legislation banning the trade in harp and hooded seal products. The following statement is from Rebecca Aldworth, director of Canadian wildlife issues for The HSUS.
"Contrary to some erroneously reported media stories, the Commission response actually lays the groundwork for introducing legislation to ban seal products. It recognizes there is substantial evidence the commercial seal hunt in Canada is not acceptably humane. The Commission clearly does not accept Canadian government assurances that the seal hunt is conducted in a humane fashion, and has committed to undertaking its own impartial study, and drafting legislation based on its findings."
"Notably, an article appearing last week in European Voice, a leading political newspaper, stated the Commissioner in charge of the file intends to introduce legislation banning seal products as soon as possible."
"In recent months, the European Union has passed two powerful resolutions calling for bans on seal products within the EU. The Council of Europe also recently passed a resolution calling upon its 46 member states -- including the European Union nations -- to promote initiatives aimed at prohibiting the trade in seal products. Yesterday, Belgium became the first European nation to officially ban seal products. Germany, Italy and the Netherlands are currently initiating their own bans."
"The European Parliament and the Council of Europe have spoken clearly and deliberately on this issue. Citizens of the European Union and their governments find Canada's commercial seal hunt morally unacceptable, and they are ending their trade in its products. It is now up to the European Commission to draft legislation to reflect the will of Europeans and the instructions of the European Parliament."
"Loyola Hearn, Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, chose to issue a questionable and self serving statement today, which contained many misleading claims. The HSUS invites members of the media to contact our representatives, or the European Commission itself at any time for further clarification of the EU Commission response."
