Death knell for the Canadian seal hunt: Russia bans trade in harp seal pelts
19 December 2011. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has applauded the news that Belarus, Kazakhstan, and the Russian Federation have banned the import and export of harp seal skins. Canada claims that Russia is one of the last two major remaining markets for Canadian seal products, reportedly receiving up to 90% of Canada's exports of seal pelts. IFAW says this is a major victory in the campaign to end commercial sealing, and that it should send a strong message that this is an industry whose time has passed.
"Russia ended its own hunt of harp seals in 2009, after listening to the concerns of the people who felt it was a cruel and unnecessary slaughter," said Robbie Marsland, UK Director of IFAW. "We are extremely pleased that the Russian government has taken the next logical step by banning all trade in harp seal pelts from other countries as well."
Russian market was key for Canadians
The Russian market has long been hailed by the Canadian government as the main market for Canadian seal products. With the European Union ban on non-Inuit seal products still in place, a long-promised seal meat deal with China still unsigned, IFAW says the Canadian government and the sealing industry should acknowledge the reality that markets for seal products are disappearing.
"The writing is on the wall" said Sheryl Fink, Director of IFAW's Seal Programme. "The Canadian government knows seal products are not wanted, and has had ample time to transition sealers out of this industry with compensation. Instead they have done nothing but dispute the rights of other nations by challenging seal product bans at the WTO. As Russia follows in the steps of the EU and closes its doors to seal products, it's time to say enough is enough and stop the seal slaughter once and for all."
"Canada will continue to be shunned by the international community as long as it persists with the outdated, inhumane slaughter of seal pups," continued Fink.
IFAW opposes the seal hunt as it is cruel and unnecessary. The seals are clubbed or shot and skinned so that their fur can be used to provide luxury products for the fashion industry. IFAW has been campaigning to end commercial seal hunting for more than 40 years, and its work helped bring about the end of the Russian seal hunt in 2009. At the time, Russia's Minister of Natural Resources Yury Trutnev said, "The bloody seal slaughter, the killing of the defenceless animals, which can't be even called a ‘hunt,' is now prohibited in Russia as it is in most developed countries. It is a serious step towards the conservation of biodiversity in Russia." Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin also called seal hunting a "bloody industry" and something that "should have been banned years ago."
Timeline of shrinking markets
1972 US Congress passes Marine Mammal Protection Act, which bans the importation of seal products.
1983 IFAW helps win crucial ban in Europe on importation of newborn (whitecoat) harp seal and hooded seal (blueback) products.
1987 Canadian Government bans commercial hunting of whitecoats and bluebacks in Canadian waters.
1990 With IFAW's involvement, South Africa ends the hunt for Cape fur seals.
2006 Mexico bans the import and export of marine mammals, including seals.
2007 IFAW campaigns result in Belgium and the Netherlands adopting national bans on the import of seal products.
2009 Russia bans the killing of harp seal pups under 12 months of age.
2009 European Union bans the import of all seal products, with an exemption for Inuit-derived skins.
2010 IFAW continues its fight to protect the EU ban, and continues to expose the cruelty of commercial hunts to governments around the world.
2011 Deal between Canada and China to allow export of seal meat products postponed
2011 Belarus, Kazhakhstan, and the Russian Federation ban the import and export fur skins of harp seals and their whitecoat pups
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/harp-seal-skins.html
Showing posts with label seal hunting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label seal hunting. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Putin may be the tiger's champion, but China will decide the species' future
Russian president Vladimir Putin has burnished his hard man image at this week's tiger summit in St Petersburg, but in the long run the fate of the endangered cat is more likely to be decided by softly-spoken Chinese premier Wen Jiabao.
The two leaders demonstrated sharply contrasting styles during their meeting in the Konstantinovsky palace that partly reflects their individual backgrounds and their countries' records on conservation.
Putin, the host who famously shot a tiger with a tranquiliser dart two years ago, was at the centre of all activities and widely praised for making this groundbreaking conservation event possible.
The former KGB man has demonstrated his passion for nature in recent years with high-profile demonstrations of his mastery over some of the world's biggest beasts. He has fitted an electronic collar on a polar bear, fired a crossbow dart at a white whale to get a skin sample and received a tiger cub for a birthday present.
But he has also banned seal hunting. And at times today the macho leader sounded like a touchy-feely green, quoting Ghandi and calling for greater appreciation of wildlife and ecosystems: "Nature is the habitat of humans so caring for tigers and their habitat is caring for all people."
He is in a strong position to take a compassionate line. The Amur tiger population in Russia has bucked the global trend by making an impressive recovery from fewer than 30 in 1945 to about 500 today. It is evidence that the animal can recover if supported by political will and public awareness.
China, by contrast, has not only seen its own population of tigers decline precipitously in the past 50 years, its consumers have also boosted demand for illegally-poached tigers from overseas. Despite banning the tiger trade in 1993, the government has sustained hopes for a resumption of the domestic trade through support for rare-animal farms.
Premier Wen was the only one of the five national leaders at the summit who did not deign to attend the "press conference" (where no questions were allowed). In the summit, he stressed the need for greater enforcement. "All countries should crack down on poaching and illegal trade of tigers," he said. For conservationists, it was a disappointingly vague statement from the country that drives the main demand for tiger products.
Change remains possible. Tiger products have been removed from the pharmacopia of traditional medicine ingredients. Chinese officials are also discussing whether to impose a breeding ban on tiger farms as a step towards changing the way they are managed. This – along with the burning of existing stockpiles of carcasses and more undercover investigations by police – would send a clear signal that the tiger market is closed for business in China.
But premier Wen has not made that happen yet. Until he does, the political power of Putin and the conservation money from the World Bank will not just come to nothing. It will be helping to extend the longevity of the tiger traders.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2010/nov/23/putin-tiger-china-premier-wen
The two leaders demonstrated sharply contrasting styles during their meeting in the Konstantinovsky palace that partly reflects their individual backgrounds and their countries' records on conservation.
Putin, the host who famously shot a tiger with a tranquiliser dart two years ago, was at the centre of all activities and widely praised for making this groundbreaking conservation event possible.
The former KGB man has demonstrated his passion for nature in recent years with high-profile demonstrations of his mastery over some of the world's biggest beasts. He has fitted an electronic collar on a polar bear, fired a crossbow dart at a white whale to get a skin sample and received a tiger cub for a birthday present.
But he has also banned seal hunting. And at times today the macho leader sounded like a touchy-feely green, quoting Ghandi and calling for greater appreciation of wildlife and ecosystems: "Nature is the habitat of humans so caring for tigers and their habitat is caring for all people."
He is in a strong position to take a compassionate line. The Amur tiger population in Russia has bucked the global trend by making an impressive recovery from fewer than 30 in 1945 to about 500 today. It is evidence that the animal can recover if supported by political will and public awareness.
China, by contrast, has not only seen its own population of tigers decline precipitously in the past 50 years, its consumers have also boosted demand for illegally-poached tigers from overseas. Despite banning the tiger trade in 1993, the government has sustained hopes for a resumption of the domestic trade through support for rare-animal farms.
Premier Wen was the only one of the five national leaders at the summit who did not deign to attend the "press conference" (where no questions were allowed). In the summit, he stressed the need for greater enforcement. "All countries should crack down on poaching and illegal trade of tigers," he said. For conservationists, it was a disappointingly vague statement from the country that drives the main demand for tiger products.
Change remains possible. Tiger products have been removed from the pharmacopia of traditional medicine ingredients. Chinese officials are also discussing whether to impose a breeding ban on tiger farms as a step towards changing the way they are managed. This – along with the burning of existing stockpiles of carcasses and more undercover investigations by police – would send a clear signal that the tiger market is closed for business in China.
But premier Wen has not made that happen yet. Until he does, the political power of Putin and the conservation money from the World Bank will not just come to nothing. It will be helping to extend the longevity of the tiger traders.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2010/nov/23/putin-tiger-china-premier-wen
Putin may be the tiger's champion, but China will decide the species' future
Russian president Vladimir Putin has burnished his hard man image at this week's tiger summit in St Petersburg, but in the long run the fate of the endangered cat is more likely to be decided by softly-spoken Chinese premier Wen Jiabao.
The two leaders demonstrated sharply contrasting styles during their meeting in the Konstantinovsky palace that partly reflects their individual backgrounds and their countries' records on conservation.
Putin, the host who famously shot a tiger with a tranquiliser dart two years ago, was at the centre of all activities and widely praised for making this groundbreaking conservation event possible.
The former KGB man has demonstrated his passion for nature in recent years with high-profile demonstrations of his mastery over some of the world's biggest beasts. He has fitted an electronic collar on a polar bear, fired a crossbow dart at a white whale to get a skin sample and received a tiger cub for a birthday present.
But he has also banned seal hunting. And at times today the macho leader sounded like a touchy-feely green, quoting Ghandi and calling for greater appreciation of wildlife and ecosystems: "Nature is the habitat of humans so caring for tigers and their habitat is caring for all people."
He is in a strong position to take a compassionate line. The Amur tiger population in Russia has bucked the global trend by making an impressive recovery from fewer than 30 in 1945 to about 500 today. It is evidence that the animal can recover if supported by political will and public awareness.
China, by contrast, has not only seen its own population of tigers decline precipitously in the past 50 years, its consumers have also boosted demand for illegally-poached tigers from overseas. Despite banning the tiger trade in 1993, the government has sustained hopes for a resumption of the domestic trade through support for rare-animal farms.
Premier Wen was the only one of the five national leaders at the summit who did not deign to attend the "press conference" (where no questions were allowed). In the summit, he stressed the need for greater enforcement. "All countries should crack down on poaching and illegal trade of tigers," he said. For conservationists, it was a disappointingly vague statement from the country that drives the main demand for tiger products.
Change remains possible. Tiger products have been removed from the pharmacopia of traditional medicine ingredients. Chinese officials are also discussing whether to impose a breeding ban on tiger farms as a step towards changing the way they are managed. This – along with the burning of existing stockpiles of carcasses and more undercover investigations by police – would send a clear signal that the tiger market is closed for business in China.
But premier Wen has not made that happen yet. Until he does, the political power of Putin and the conservation money from the World Bank will not just come to nothing. It will be helping to extend the longevity of the tiger traders.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2010/nov/23/putin-tiger-china-premier-wen
The two leaders demonstrated sharply contrasting styles during their meeting in the Konstantinovsky palace that partly reflects their individual backgrounds and their countries' records on conservation.
Putin, the host who famously shot a tiger with a tranquiliser dart two years ago, was at the centre of all activities and widely praised for making this groundbreaking conservation event possible.
The former KGB man has demonstrated his passion for nature in recent years with high-profile demonstrations of his mastery over some of the world's biggest beasts. He has fitted an electronic collar on a polar bear, fired a crossbow dart at a white whale to get a skin sample and received a tiger cub for a birthday present.
But he has also banned seal hunting. And at times today the macho leader sounded like a touchy-feely green, quoting Ghandi and calling for greater appreciation of wildlife and ecosystems: "Nature is the habitat of humans so caring for tigers and their habitat is caring for all people."
He is in a strong position to take a compassionate line. The Amur tiger population in Russia has bucked the global trend by making an impressive recovery from fewer than 30 in 1945 to about 500 today. It is evidence that the animal can recover if supported by political will and public awareness.
China, by contrast, has not only seen its own population of tigers decline precipitously in the past 50 years, its consumers have also boosted demand for illegally-poached tigers from overseas. Despite banning the tiger trade in 1993, the government has sustained hopes for a resumption of the domestic trade through support for rare-animal farms.
Premier Wen was the only one of the five national leaders at the summit who did not deign to attend the "press conference" (where no questions were allowed). In the summit, he stressed the need for greater enforcement. "All countries should crack down on poaching and illegal trade of tigers," he said. For conservationists, it was a disappointingly vague statement from the country that drives the main demand for tiger products.
Change remains possible. Tiger products have been removed from the pharmacopia of traditional medicine ingredients. Chinese officials are also discussing whether to impose a breeding ban on tiger farms as a step towards changing the way they are managed. This – along with the burning of existing stockpiles of carcasses and more undercover investigations by police – would send a clear signal that the tiger market is closed for business in China.
But premier Wen has not made that happen yet. Until he does, the political power of Putin and the conservation money from the World Bank will not just come to nothing. It will be helping to extend the longevity of the tiger traders.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2010/nov/23/putin-tiger-china-premier-wen
Monday, November 8, 2010
European Union seal ban takes effect
'This about the right of Europeans to say no to products fom cruel hunts'
November 2010: A temporary suspension of the EU regulation banning the trade in seal products has now been revoked by the European Union's General Court, to the delight of wildlife campaigners, allowing the full implementation of this momentous legislation.
Robbie Marsland, UK Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare which has run a 40-year-long campaign to end cruel seal hunting, said: ‘We are pleased that the court has made the right decision and lifted the suspension. This ban is about the right of Europeans to say no to products that stem from cruel and unnecessary hunts. IFAW will continue to work to defend this right and to defend the EU seal ban.'
The EU ban prohibits the trade in products from all commercial seal hunts, including those in Canada, Namibia and Norway, but does not affect sealing by Inuit and other indigenous peoples.
Lesley O'Donnell, IFAW's EU Director, said: ‘The applicants in the court case included most of the Canadian and Norwegian commercial sealing industry, and as such, had the suspension not ended there could be no guarantee to Europeans that they were not providing a market for products from cruel commercial seal hunts.'
IFAW opposes Canada's commercial seal hunt because of its unacceptable cruelty. The largest marine mammal hunt in the world sees seals being clubbed or shot, primarily so their fur can be used to provide luxury items for the fashion industry.
The EU will likely have to defend its seal ban at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Canada recently requested additional WTO consultations with the EU on the ban. The consultations are expected to take place before the end of the year.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/seal-product-ban.html
November 2010: A temporary suspension of the EU regulation banning the trade in seal products has now been revoked by the European Union's General Court, to the delight of wildlife campaigners, allowing the full implementation of this momentous legislation.
Robbie Marsland, UK Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare which has run a 40-year-long campaign to end cruel seal hunting, said: ‘We are pleased that the court has made the right decision and lifted the suspension. This ban is about the right of Europeans to say no to products that stem from cruel and unnecessary hunts. IFAW will continue to work to defend this right and to defend the EU seal ban.'
The EU ban prohibits the trade in products from all commercial seal hunts, including those in Canada, Namibia and Norway, but does not affect sealing by Inuit and other indigenous peoples.
Lesley O'Donnell, IFAW's EU Director, said: ‘The applicants in the court case included most of the Canadian and Norwegian commercial sealing industry, and as such, had the suspension not ended there could be no guarantee to Europeans that they were not providing a market for products from cruel commercial seal hunts.'
IFAW opposes Canada's commercial seal hunt because of its unacceptable cruelty. The largest marine mammal hunt in the world sees seals being clubbed or shot, primarily so their fur can be used to provide luxury items for the fashion industry.
The EU will likely have to defend its seal ban at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Canada recently requested additional WTO consultations with the EU on the ban. The consultations are expected to take place before the end of the year.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/seal-product-ban.html
European Union seal ban takes effect
'This about the right of Europeans to say no to products fom cruel hunts'
November 2010: A temporary suspension of the EU regulation banning the trade in seal products has now been revoked by the European Union's General Court, to the delight of wildlife campaigners, allowing the full implementation of this momentous legislation.
Robbie Marsland, UK Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare which has run a 40-year-long campaign to end cruel seal hunting, said: ‘We are pleased that the court has made the right decision and lifted the suspension. This ban is about the right of Europeans to say no to products that stem from cruel and unnecessary hunts. IFAW will continue to work to defend this right and to defend the EU seal ban.'
The EU ban prohibits the trade in products from all commercial seal hunts, including those in Canada, Namibia and Norway, but does not affect sealing by Inuit and other indigenous peoples.
Lesley O'Donnell, IFAW's EU Director, said: ‘The applicants in the court case included most of the Canadian and Norwegian commercial sealing industry, and as such, had the suspension not ended there could be no guarantee to Europeans that they were not providing a market for products from cruel commercial seal hunts.'
IFAW opposes Canada's commercial seal hunt because of its unacceptable cruelty. The largest marine mammal hunt in the world sees seals being clubbed or shot, primarily so their fur can be used to provide luxury items for the fashion industry.
The EU will likely have to defend its seal ban at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Canada recently requested additional WTO consultations with the EU on the ban. The consultations are expected to take place before the end of the year.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/seal-product-ban.html
November 2010: A temporary suspension of the EU regulation banning the trade in seal products has now been revoked by the European Union's General Court, to the delight of wildlife campaigners, allowing the full implementation of this momentous legislation.
Robbie Marsland, UK Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare which has run a 40-year-long campaign to end cruel seal hunting, said: ‘We are pleased that the court has made the right decision and lifted the suspension. This ban is about the right of Europeans to say no to products that stem from cruel and unnecessary hunts. IFAW will continue to work to defend this right and to defend the EU seal ban.'
The EU ban prohibits the trade in products from all commercial seal hunts, including those in Canada, Namibia and Norway, but does not affect sealing by Inuit and other indigenous peoples.
Lesley O'Donnell, IFAW's EU Director, said: ‘The applicants in the court case included most of the Canadian and Norwegian commercial sealing industry, and as such, had the suspension not ended there could be no guarantee to Europeans that they were not providing a market for products from cruel commercial seal hunts.'
IFAW opposes Canada's commercial seal hunt because of its unacceptable cruelty. The largest marine mammal hunt in the world sees seals being clubbed or shot, primarily so their fur can be used to provide luxury items for the fashion industry.
The EU will likely have to defend its seal ban at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Canada recently requested additional WTO consultations with the EU on the ban. The consultations are expected to take place before the end of the year.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/seal-product-ban.html
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