When cruelty is normal, protecting trade bans and fighting for seals is crucial
As the 2011 commercial seal hunt winds down in Canada, the issue is once again heating up in Europe. To add fuel to the fire, IFAW is releasing disturbing new video evidence proving that Canada's commercial seal hunt remains inhumane and unenforceable. The new footage comes amidst a heated debate in the European Parliament that suggests the seal hunt could impact a major trade agreement between Canada and the European Union.
IFAW's video (warning: graphic) -- for those who cannot bear to watch it -- shows sealers engaging in practices such as the intentional killing of a protected blueback seal; spearing a live, conscious seal pup in the face with a steel hook as it cries out in attempt to defend itself; and a seal sliced open while alive and conscious and left to struggle in the bottom of a boat for several minutes. Occurrences that even the most hardened Canadian politician would have difficulty justifying as 'humane.'
We offered to share our footage with Frank Pinhorn, Executive Director of the Canadian Sealers' Association. He refused outright, saying he didn't watch video from protesters.
This should raise a red flag to anyone concerned. Most industry associations take the conduct of their members very seriously, especially when laws are being violated, as it reflects poorly on the professionalism of the industry. But given the long history of international scrutiny on Canada's commercial seal hunt, the stakes are much higher here.
The video evidence of outrageous cruelty and poor enforcement confirms that the Canadian government and the sealing industry continue to ignore concerns about inhumane killing raised by the European Union. And the repercussions to all Canadians -- and the Canadian economy -- could be severe.
The new footage comes at a time when Canada's commercial seal hunt is being raised as a potential impediment to the EU-Canada Economic and Trade Agreement. Earlier this week, European MPs quizzed the European Commission about ongoing tensions involving Canada's seal hunt -- often in the same breath as the tar sands -- during a debate about the trade agreement.
MEP Keith Taylor remarked:
"We can't deny that occasionally we [Canada and the EU] do have differences of opinion... Canada is starting WTO action against the EU import ban of seals, in addition to their barbaric annual seal cull."
MEP Jörg Leichtfried was unequivocal in his opinion:
"We have to have a mutual respect between partners in a trade agreement... These are not really trading partners if they do not respect our interests and our rules... You cannot cooperate and trade with people like that... I'm of the opinion that if Canada does not stop its actions against this [EU seal import ban] before the conclusion of this agreement we should not agree to it."
MEP Frieda Brepoels also spoke strongly:
"There is the question of the seal hunt which has been raised again... I would like to call upon the Commission most firmly not to forget this point, about two years ago, here in this Parliament, a vast majority voted for a ban on trade [in seal products] despite tremendous pressure from Canada on the Parliament to water down that legislation, and it was above all the voices of millions of European citizens against this inhumane slaughter that counted.... The ban has had an effect... because of that ban the market collapsed and the number of animals killed dropped to just 38,000 this year and the price of the hide also dropped... It is regrettable that Canada is still using the WTO to try to contest the EU law and therefore it is important for this Parliament to send out a strong signal to Canada: we fought long and hard for that law and we should not give it up."
MEP Arlene McCarthy -- who was one of the driving forces behing the positive vote on the EU ban on seal products in the European Parliament plenary in May 2009, affirmed:
"Canada's continuing challenge to this law democratically adopted by all Member States in the EU remains a source of ongoing tension...The European people have a right to say that products obtained from this cruel slaughter are not fit for the EU market place and I will continue to defend our right to do so."
Recently, MEPs voted in favour of a motion for a resolution including an amendment by MEP David Martin, which
"Takes note of the recent legal developments regarding the EU's ban on seal products, in particular Canada's request to the WTO for the establishment of a formal dispute resolution panel; and expresses its strong hope that Canada will withdraw the WTO challenge, which is counter to positive trade relations, prior to the need for ratification of the CETA agreement by the European Parliament."
Canada remains defiant in its intent to challenge the EU seal product ban at the WTO, despite the estimated $10 million price tag. But Canada's defiance could end up costing Canadians far more if it risks jeopardizing the trade deal.
What next?
To date, some 38,000 seal pups have been reported killed -- a far cry from the allowable catch for this year of 400,000 seals. According to media reports, fewer than 50 boats took part in this year's hunt, a sharp decrease from just five years ago when over 1,100 boats set out. With little demand for seal products, the total landed value of the hunt remains at about $750,000. A negligible amount, considering that financial support for the sealing industry from the Canadian government exceeds this several times over.
Earlier this week, some deep budget cuts to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans were announced. It seems obvious that federal funding for the cruel and unnecessary seal slaughter should be the first thing to go. When politicians are talking about cutting essential social services, the idea that millions of dollars will continue to be poured into this dying industry is downright obscene.
Our video reinforces IFAW's position that trade bans on seal products -- such as the one in the EU -- are not only justified, but absolutely necessary. And all of the news this week underscores the fact that the cruel seal hunt continues to impact Canada's reputation on the international stage in a very significant way.
It is thanks to IFAW's donors that we are able to observe the seal hunt each spring in attempt to film even a few of the atrocities that undoubtedly occur. We will be providing the video evidence from Canada's 2011 seal hunt to political leaders in Canada, and asking them how they can possibly support and subsidize such cruelty. It will also be shown in the EU, China, and around the world as evidence that commercial sealing remains an inhumane, unnecessary and outdated practice that should be stopped and to encourage other countries to reject cruel seal products.
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if it weren't so sad that you believe this, it would almost be funny.
"I meet my mates in the morning, a broken, scattered band.
Men shoot us in the water and club us on the land;
Men drive us to the Salt House like silly sheep and tame,
And still we sing Lukannon—before the sealers came."
Your logic is flawed.
IFAW is not fighting the hunting done by the indigenous. They are against the commercial seal slaughter ONLY. Two different things, two different quotas, different kill methods, etc. Even the EU ban doesn't apply to the Inuit. Stop falling for the government rhetoric and think for yourself.
Disgusting and shame on Canada
As a west coast resident that loves to visit Newfoundland, I've seen first-hand the devastation that the cod moratorium visited upon Newfoundland's fishing communities. It will be fun to watch that play out again with the seal hunt. I utterly loathe Stephen Harper for almost every stand he has ever taken, but I am firmly behind him when he refuses to bow down to critics of the seal hunt. They can bring some credibility to the table when they've fully outlawed puppy mills and large-scale corporate farms that mutilate animals and keep them locked in cages from birth to death.
They pulled it in, one immature fish at a time. I'm an angler, and I think it's funny these greedy people just kept ignoring the fact that immature fish are the next generation.
"In 1999 the catch was divided among Denmark (31%), Scotland (25%), the rest of the United Kingdom (12%), the Netherlands (10%), Belgium, Germany and Norway (17%). In the 1970s, the annual catch rose to between 200,000 - 300,000 tons. Due to concerns about overfishing, catch quotas were repeatedly reduced in the 1980s and 1990s."- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cod_fisheries
About 6 million deers are killed by hunters in the US every year. I wonder why it is ok to kill 6 million deers in the US but not 3-400000 seals in Canada. Is it because the blood in the forest is only seen by the hunters but on the ice by everyone? Is killing a deer any more humane than a seal?
As for the demand that sealers find another way to feed their families, imagine the thousands of sealers moving into the cities from their coastal villages and taking up jobs there. How long would it take for the cityfolk who won't be able to get a job to go from "Save the seals!" to "F*** the seals, I just want to get a job to pay my mortgage!"?
It's a difficult issue, and why not look at it from both sides before calling Canada "barbaric". I feel for both the activists and the hunters, for they are all doing what they feel is right.
You do raise a good point about hunting for food and the difficulties already felt by people in the cities who cannot find work though.
what does the issue of seals looks have to do with it?
Do you think people haven't been fighting Canada's over-fishing practices for years?
Only 3% of seal's diet is cod. They eat more squid, a cod predator. Oh ya, the seals are killed, so they aren't there to eat the squid that eat the cod. There's your low cod stock.
Why is it always about the money??? My blood boils when I read about these things, and the more fearful I become of my Prime Minister. I did not vote for him, and for good reason. Change is in the wind, and we must change with it.
Does it not bother anyone that the people and families most affected are not only being referred to as subhuman on this site...I see no suggestions beyond profane as to what they ought to be doing to earn a living.
cause god knows ...we don't want them on the "pogey" either.
your not talking about people living in Toronto going out on the ice floes for fun..these are fishermen from Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador with good number of Inuit and First Nations. None of these groups have had a ton of political power. Two of those groups were pretty much shafted by the original Europeans who came to these shores.
The EU is disengenuous at best. They can bleet Canada, Canada all they want...all of Canada isn't affected....just the families in three groups of Canadians with limited recourse and power.
personally I'd love to see the end of the seal hunt and it does appear to be on wane but I'm not willing to is throw fellow Canadians under the bus.
you can't just tell people to get another line of work and just leave it at that.
I do not expect the government to hand out money, but certainly these people need a hand. Are there other industries? What about technology? Why not move to where the food is? I can see if this was a food fishery, that's a different issue.
I think for the most part, the government has done a terrible job in teach it's citizens to be resourceful. A lot of dependence was created. Yeah, change is hard but it doesn't mean death.
It's not about money, it's about votes.
The seal hunt is so subsidized that of course the coastal communities vote in whoever wants to keep it going, even though there's no money in the hunt itself.
This year, as in each yr. since the 90's, were more interviews with the commercial fishermen who kill the seals. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2011/04/11/seal-hunt-slow-start-411.html
Your God may not want you to eat or use animal products but most peoples' do.
As for cruelty - have you been to an abattoir or a factory farm? Veterinarians, from several countries including the US, have deemed the Canadian seal hunt on the ice more humane than the3 slaughter in most abattoirs.
I'm sure anyone with a camera could find examples of what appears to be inhumane treatment in any farm or abattoir situation. There is just no money in that. The IFAW has become wealthy in its fake war against the seal hunt.
The Euro MPs that promoted the ban are part an a large group in the European Parliament that can't agree on much that affects the farmers and fishers of Europe but are proud to be seen to take action against the small fishers and native peoples of Canada in their arrogance.
Yeah, it turns out that this terrible, horrible, inhumane hunt is a-okay as long as the guys doing it are from First Nations.
So not only was this decision of theirs quite arrogant and absurd, but it was also completely incoherent and inconsistent.
but having run roughshod over the First Nations and Inuit for oh....a couple of centuries..I can see the EU being a tad ...shall we say...split on how manage the optics of Euros yet again forcing decisions on First Nations people.
it's a mess and IFAW isn't helping but painting black and white pictures.