The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International/Canada hailed the support of the British Government in the campaign to end the bloody annual slaughter of Canadian seals.

HUMANE SOCIETY WELCOMES BRITISH GOVERNMENT CALL  FOR EUROPEAN BAN ON  SEAL PRODUCT TRADE

MONTREAL (February 8, 2007) - The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International/Canada hailed the support of the British Government in the campaign to end the bloody annual slaughter of Canadian seals.

"Canada's commercial seal hunt involves a level of cruelty no thinking, compassionate Canadian would ever accept," said Rebecca Aldworth, director of Canadian wildlife issues for The HSUS. "With this decision, Britain is taking action to prevent the needless and brutal killing of hundreds of thousands of baby seals each year. The end is now clearly in sight for Canada's commercial seal hunt."

The British Government today announced its backing for a European Union ban on harp and hooded seal product trade. Ian McCartney, Britain's Minister of Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, released the statement saying the UK will actively lobby the cause.

Over the past three years, more than one million seals - almost all of them defenseless pups under three months of age - have been killed in Canada for their fur. Veterinary studies have noted that Canada's commercial seal hunt results in 'considerable and unacceptable suffering', suggesting that a significant number of animals may be skinned alive during the slaughter. Polling shows the overwhelming majority of Canadians oppose the commercial seal hunt.

A recent poll found that 73% of British people support a ban on seal product imports. The UK decision follows bans on the trade in seal products by the USA, Mexico, Croatia and Belgium. Last year a record number of Members of the European Parliament (425) signed a Written Declaration calling for a ban on the import of seal products and an Early Day Motion in the UK Parliament calling for a UK ban has currently been signed by 220 MPs.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with nearly 10 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection, and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country.