Most people think that the slaughter of baby seals in Canada is over. It is not. In fact it is worse than ever.
In the last four years the Canadian government has allowed over one and a quarter million baby seals to be brutally slaughtered by clubbing and shooting, with the majority of seals killed aged three months or younger.
This is the largest most brutal slaughter of marine mammals on the planet and brings shame upon Canada. Respect for Animals is committed to ending this brutality.
You can act today to stop the slaughter: MEPs are debating a seal trade product ban - bringing an end to the import of and trade in seal products throughout all 27 member states of the European Union.
Opinion polls show that the majority of people in Europe, the US and Canada are opposed to the seal hunt and 73% of British people support a ban on the import of seal products into the UK.
An independent veterinary study concluded that 42% of seals may have been skinned whilst still conscious. The Canadian government not only defends but also promotes this cruelty.
In May 2009 the European Union voted to ban the trade in seal products. This is a very welcome step forward and we hope it sends a clear and loud message to Canada that the brutal act of clubbing and shooting baby seals will no longer be tolerated.
Latest Reports
European Union Bans Trade in Seal Products
05 May 2009
Respect for Animals Welcomes Historic Legislation. Strasbourg, 5 May 2009 - Today the European Parliament voted by a large majority to ban the placing on the market of seal products throughout the 27 countries of the EU.
Canadian commercial seal kill begins off the East coast of Canada
23 March 2009
Despite freezing fog and driving snow observers made it to the ice to witness the carnage. Mark Glover, Respect for Animals’ campaign director was one of the small team of people who made it out to witness the killing.
European Import Ban on Seal Products Now a Step Closer
2 March 2009
As harp seal pups are being born on the ice floes off Canada’s east coast, and seal hunters are preparing for another commercial-scale slaughter at the end of this month,
European seal trade ban reaches critical stage as UK says ‘ban imports’
29 December 2008
But Canada is fighting back and a ban is not certain. UK Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are set to play key roles in the next few weeks.
Court Declares Seal Hunt Observers Innocent
17 October 2008
Today, Judge Jean-Paul Deoste declared the defendants innocent in the case against five seal hunt observers, including UK citizen Mark Glover. This verdict has been anticipated since the case first began in October 2007.
Coalition of animal protection groups calls for Irish support for seal import ban
6 October 2008
A coalition of Irish and international animal welfare groups has called upon the Irish Government and Irish MEPs to support a complete ban on all seal products.
EU Seal Import Ban to be Proposed Today
23 July 2008
Respect for Animals welcomes today’s anticipated proposal from the European Commission to ban the import of and trade in seal products throughout the EU.
Paul McCartney supports Brussels Rally for Seals
1 July 2008
A video statement from Paul McCartney was broadcast at a mass rally in Brussels today in support of a European Union ban on the seal product trade.
Canada's 275,000 seal slaughter begins
28 March 2008
The Canadian seal hunt – the largest slaughter of marine mammals in the world – got underway in the Gulf of St Lawrence, Canada, today.
Canadian government denies journalists and animal welfare groups permits to document slaughter
27 March 2008
Canada’s commercial seal slaughter will begin half an hour before dawn on Friday, 28 March. However, at this time, Department of Fisheries and Oceans officials have refused to confirm they will issue permits to observers to document the killing for the opening day of the hunt.
MEPs Caroline Lucas and John Bowis speak out about seal hunt
28 March 2008
Alison Steadman speaks out for the seal pups
20 March 2008
Actor Alison Steadman joined Mark Glover and Nicki Brooks from Respect for Animals earlier this month (March 2008) as they visited a harp seal pup nursery to see the wonderful wildlife spectacle of hundreds of newly-born whitecoat seal pups being nursed by their mothers, on the hauntingly beautiful ice floes off Canada’s east coast.
