Closing down markets would end seal hunt
(mar. 28, 2008)
driffieldtoday .co.uk

Timothy Kirkhope, MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, Main Street, Scotton, writes . . .

Canada's annual commercial seal hunt will begin again shortly.

I recently signed a declaration aimed at enforcing a Europe-wide ban on the trade in seal products.

Last year close to a quarter of a million harp and hooded seals, the vast majority of them under three months old, were clubbed to death or shot for their fur and other products.

Every year there are calls to end this inhumane practice but little action is taken. Only a few EU states have fully outlawed the trade in seal products and the UK is not amongst them.

If the EU used its combined economic power to stop producers of seal products trading within its borders this would certainly have an effect.

Closing down the markets for seal products would help bring commercial seal hunts to an end.

I am certain that the majority of my constituents agree with my stance on this cruel practice and I can assure them that I will be making efforts to ensure that the Commission opts for a full ban on all seal products.