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Kirkhope Welcomes EU Seal Products Ban
Tuesday 5 May, 2009
Conservative MEP Timothy Kirkhope, has welcomed the European Parliament's vote for a ban on all seal products across the EU.
Globally, around 900,000 seals are killed for products such as gloves and Omega 3 fatty acid supplements and many consumers remain unaware that they are buying goods containing seal products.
Under the proposals adopted today, indigenous Inuit populations will be exempted when survival hunting and seal hunts conducted for the sustainable management of marine resources will be allowed to continue, under tight restrictions.
Timothy Kirkhope MEP said:
"This is the start of the process rather than the end. We must now work closely with the countries conducting seal hunts to make sure this is properly enforced.
"This will send a message which says that the EU will not turn a blind eye to the inhumane slaughter of animals."
ENDS
