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350,000 seals were killed in 2006 in Canada alone,
95% of which were less than three months old.
A survey showed around 42% of slaughtered seals
may be skinned whilst still conscious.
Over the past few years, an increasing number of countries have decided
to oppose seal hunt through specific laws. Belgium
introduced a ban on seal products in March 2007
and was followed by the Netherlands in July. USA,
Slovenia, Mexico and Croatia already have bans
in place. Other countries, such as the UK and
Germany, are planning to follow their example. In May 2009, the EU also adopted a placing on the market of seal products ban.
After decades of campaigning, Europe's animal protection groups were pleased to announce that the EU ban on the trade in seal products entered into force on 20 November 2009.
:: A brief overview of the long road travelled:
In 2006, the
European Parliament adopted a Resolution
which asked the European Commission to propose
an EU-wide ban on seal products. Following that,
the European Commission asked the European Food
Safety Authority to prepare a study
on the welfare aspects of the killing and
skinning of seals.
In 2007, the European Food Safety Authority's
Animal Health and Welfare Panel adopted a scientific
opinion on the killing and skinning of seals
in December 2007. They prepared the study at the
request of the European Commission.
Shorlty after a large demonstration organised by Eurogroup for Animals and a number
of its member organisations, the European Commission
published its proposal for an EU-wide ban on the placing on the market,
import, transit or export of seal products (23
July 2008).
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