A 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization
More Countries Ban Seal Skin Imports
The Momentum Builds...The Demand for Seal Skins Declines...
Believe it... know it... oppose it.
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A 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization |
More Countries Ban Seal Skin Imports
The Momentum Builds...The Demand for Seal Skins Declines...
|
Believe it... know it... oppose it. |
|
Italy Suspends Seal Skin Imports Italy announced Monday that it has temporarily suspended imports of seal skins and seal derived products Monday, February 13, 2006 Spero News Italy announced Monday that it has temporarily suspended imports of seal skins and seal derived products. Adolfo d'Urso, the Italian vice-minister for Trade and Industrial Affairs, announced the moratorium today at a press conference in Rome with the Anti-Vivisection League (LAV), Italy's leading Italian animal welfare organization. Today's announcement from Rome assured that no import licences would be granted for seal products in the coming months. In addition to the temporary ban, a legislative proposal to permanently prohibit all commerce in seal skins and seal derived products also was introduced into the Italian parliament. That proposal is supported by the government coalition and is designed to complement the existing import ban on cat and dog fur. Italy's fur industry makes it one of the most important markets for seal pelts in Europe. Italy is also an important gateway by which seal products are imported and then re-exported to other countries. "Today's announcement illustrates the growing momentum in Europe to shut down the markets for seal products,'' said Lesley O'Donnell, director of IFAW's European Office. "The important legislative efforts in Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Mexico will contribute towards putting an end to the cruel and unjustifiable massacre of seals. We call on other European Governments to follow these promising examples.'' The modern Canadian seal hunt is as big as it has been in 50 years. Over the last 3 years, 985,312 seal pups were killed on the ice off eastern Canada. Seal pups can be legally hunted at about 12 days old - once they moult their white natal fur. More than 95 percent of the seals killed annually are less than 3 months old. The life expectancy of harp seals is about 30 years. Mexico Bans Imports and Exports of Primates and Marine Mammals Monday, February 06, 2006 IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) announced that Mexico has banned the importation and exportation of primates and marine mammals. The decree by the Government of Mexico protects animals and confronts the powerful interests that traffic and exploit these species for profit. “It is a historic victory for endangered primates and marine mammals, for environmental groups and for the general public,” said Beatriz Bugeda, Director of IFAW Latin America. “This decision is critical to conservation policy in Mexico, which was seriously eroded by environmental authorities in recent years.” In 2003, the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) illegally authorized the importation of 28 dolphins from the Solomon Islands to Mexican-based commercial dolphinariums. IFAW carried out an in depth investigation of the facts and filed several complaints to the corresponding authorities. Biologist Diego Cobo Terrazas, then President of the Environmental Commission of the Chamber of Representatives, also criticized the decision and presented a bill to prohibit importation and exportation of primates and marine mammals – such as whales, dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, seals and manatees. On January 26, 2006, the Decree, which modified the General Wildlife Act, was published in the Official Journal of the Federation and officially prohibited the “…Importing, exporting and re-exporting specimens of any species of marine mammal and primate, as well as parts or products made from them.” The law made an exception for animals authorized by the federal government for scientific research. A portion of the law banned products derived from marine mammals, such as pelts and decorations. This becomes a key tool for IFAW in its historic campaign to abolish Canada’s commercial seal hunt. “Mexico has officially condemned Canada’s cruel slaughter practiced within the territory of one of its partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and in this context, placing a ban on importing marine mammal products is a strategic step,” Ms Bugeda said. In recent years, the Mexican industry of trading and exhibiting marine mammals has grown considerably. Animals used by the industry, like dolphins, are captured without control in the waters of countries such as Cuba, the Solomon Islands and, more recently, Japan. Dr. Yolanda Alaníz, Director of the organization for the Conservation of Marine Mammals in Mexico (COMARINO), said, “Capturing cetaceans for exhibition presents a serious threat not only to the welfare of the animals themselves, but also to the conservation of the populations from which they are taken.” The ban on capturing marine mammals in Mexican waters was decreed in 2002. That decree also enlarged the polygon of protection for the porpoises known as Vaquita marina. Added to these new reforms, the new laws all contribute to strengthen the legal framework in Mexico to protect animals. IFAW offers special recognition to the efforts made by Biologist Cobo Terrazas and COMARINO. Britain ready to risk rift on seal clubbing By Philip Webster, Times Online (UK newspaper) February 17, 2006 MINISTERS are poised to risk a diplomatic rift with Canada by backing a ban on the import of seal products for fashion accessories. Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, and Alan Johnson, the Trade Secretary, are understood to be sympathetic to calls for a ban because of international outrage over the slaughter of baby seals in Newfoundland. Seal products are also used in the manufacture of sporrans. The United States has already banned the trade with Canada. The Canadian seal hunt, due to resume in six weeks, is the largest marine mammal cull in the world. The Government’s readiness to act was signalled by Ian Pearson, the Trade Minister, in a debate this week. He said: “Seal-clubbing does the reputation of Canadians no good at all.” An intensive lobbying campaign is under way by MPs to persuade the Treasury and the Environment Department that a ban should be introduced. More than 315,000 seals were killed in March and April last year. An independent veterinary study of seal skulls found that more than 40 per cent had minimal or no fractures, suggesting that the animals were conscious when skinned. Kill levels today are twice as high as in the 1960s. |
A plea to end the killing...
Martin Sheen speaks out!
