Asiatic Bears are farmed for their bile juice -- a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) -- alleged to fight fever, cleanse the liver, and improve vision. There is no scientific evidence to substantiate these claims. But the bears are not the only victims of such inhumane practice, more than 1800 animals are used in TCM drugs.
There was plenty of evidence presented to the Senate Committee that a cull of grey seals would be scientifically risky, unethical, and expensive. Yet, on Tuesday, the senate recommended one anyway. In addition to scientists and sealers -- most Canadians are also opposed to a seal cull. First, It is unlikely that a cull in Eastern Canada would have a substantial positive effect on cod populations. Second, that the majority of grey seal diets consists of fatty forage fish such as herring, sand lance, and other small fish, and therefore they would not expect much, if any, benefit of culling seals on cod.
On August 4, I was honoured to receive a humanitarian award from PETA for introducing Bill S-210 to end Canada's commercial seal slaughter. No international markets remain for this trade, but politicians from all parties prop it up each year with millions in wasted tax dollars. It's time for Canadian politicians to face the fact that the commercial seal-slaughter industry is over.
As of today, the natural balance of the Atlantic Coast's ecosystem is at risk because of the reduction in hunting, the threat of abolition and the recent overpopulation of the Harp seal. In Canada, seal hunters value utilizing this resource to its full potential demonstrating their communities' full commitment to respecting nature.