Ocean Sentry
(From canada.com)- On July 23, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation banning the trading of seal products (from the Canadian Commercial Seal Hunt) within, into and from the European Union. As for verifying insensibility and death by using appropriate monitoring methods, Canada does not fulfil this requirement. Sealers fail to perform “eye blink reflex” tests prior to skinning a seal. This is mandatory. Bleeding out of stunned animals? Canada fails. Hunting conditions? Canada allows hunting while in a moving sea vessel. More inhumane killing practices. Training of hunters? Sealers learn from experienced sealers and must hold an assistant sealer”s licence for two years. There is no way of ensuring good practices rather than bad are passed on. Canada fails again.
Statistical information on the hunt, instances of non-compliance with requirements is compiled and systemized. Canada doesn’t comply with this requirement to the degree outlined either.
This is only the tip of the iceberg on such requirements and is shameful, if not disgusting what our government is doing to these mammals.
(By Chrissy Vanderheide-Stolarski)
