On the 5th of May 2009 the European Parliament decided to ban the trade with Seal products. It means, that all three European Union institutions - the Commission, the Council and the Parliament - have made it to consensus and Seal products are not anymore allowed on European markets. Until now Europe has bin Canada's main market for Seal products and many believe, that this decision is also the start of the end of cruel killing events against these protected animals in many countries, such as Estonia. The closing of markets for Seal products saves the lives of many Seals - already the perspective that the EU could ban the trade with Seal products, lowered considerably the price of Seal skin - approximately 86% already since 2006. This year several Seal hunters didn't go for hunting at all and by now from the Seal quota of 338200 is fulfilled only 57622. It is likely, that by the Seal hunting season ending on 15th of May, there have bin saved a quoter of million Seals from a cruel death. Probably with forbidding the hunting of the Seals, the number will increase even more in the future. Ibid it has to be kept in mind, that forbidding Seal hunting may make Canada look for new markets. Thus the international organization Humane Society International tries to put pressure on Canada to ban Seal killing for commercial purposes with a domestic law. Also will the organization continue putting pressure on other countries to ban Seal products.
Read more form the website of HSUS
and also from the web of WSPA
Written by Evelyn Valtin
Translated by Triin Pokk
Published by the Estonian Animal Protection (ELS)
Source: http://www.loomakaitse.ee/?q=node/246
