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Russian ban ‘spells the end of Canadian sealing,’ activists say

1K views 8 replies 9 participants last post by  GhostUser 
#1 ·
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...ontent=2276572

Quote:
Russia and two of its neighbours have informed the World Trade Organization that they are banning the import and export of harp seal pelts a move that animal-rights activists are celebrating as the death knell of Canadas commercial seal industry.
Russia has been the biggest market for the Canadian seal fur industry. And harp seals are the prime source of that fur.

So animal-rights groups were delighted on Monday to learn that Russian, Belarus and Kazakhstan had informed the WTO they would no longer import or export raw, tanned and dressed fur skin of harp seals and their pups. Documents filed with the global trade body suggest the prohibition was backdated to August.
The European Union has a similar ban, which the Canadian government is challenging.
Sheryl Fink, the director of the seal program for the International Fund for Animal Welfare, on Monday called the move by Russia and the other two countries a welcome surprise.
If Russia is 90 per cent of the market, thats a huge chunk gone, and its not a great market to start with, Ms. Fink said. So the question is, is Canada going to admit that people dont want seal products, or are we going to keep fighting this one?
This looks hopeful.
 
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#4 ·
Yay....that is good to hear
 
#8 ·
Canadians - is there much pressure within Canada to ban the seal hunt, or is it mostly pressure from outside that will curtail the industry?

I.e., is there any move to actually outlaw sealing within Canada, or is it just a sharp decrease in demand from other countries that will slow down the industry, but Canadians will still be able to hunt for whoever wants it for some time?
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Irizary View Post

Canadians - is there much pressure within Canada to ban the seal hunt, or is it mostly pressure from outside that will curtail the industry?

I.e., is there any move to actually outlaw sealing within Canada, or is it just a sharp decrease in demand from other countries that will slow down the industry, but Canadians will still be able to hunt for whoever wants it for some time?
Hi Irizary. Mac Harb is a politician who is trying to put forth a bill to end sealing except for the indiginous people's use. As well, the Green Party who finally had their first MP elected to the Federal Government, have as part of their platform, the end of commercial sealing. This is one of the reasons that I voted for the Green Party this last election.

I think there is a majority of individuals who are against the seal hunt, but unfortunately they are scattered amongst all the political parties and so in a sense, politically at least, don't present a united front. As well, whenever Mac Harb's bill comes up, it is bundled with other bills so that it can't be voted on individually. To vote against sealing in effect then has an MP voting against supporting seniors or daycare for single working mothers or....(these are just examples made up to make a point of course). And what politician wants to vote down taking care of seniors? That would be a death sentence to their careers. So they vote for the status quo on sealing.

The decreasing market may slow down the industry to the point where it simply becomes untenable to operate a commercial seal harvest.

The best thing that Canadians can do is to politely and constantly contact their MP and tell them that you support seals but not sealing. Tell them to pay to re-educate sealers so they don't need to rely on killing for income. It would be cheaper in the long run than trying to support a 'dying' industry for the sake of a few hold-out seal killers (obviously change the wording so their comments aren't dismissed out of hand).
 
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