Seal Hunt is inhumane

The Authority European Food Safety contends the inhumanity of the commercial seal hunt in Canada

At the request of the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its report on animal protection as part of the seal hunt ( "Animal Welfare Aspects of Seal Hunting"). The report concludes that there is absolutely no scientific evidence to support the claims of the Canadian government that the commercial seal hunt is "human". Experts from IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare-www.ifaw.org) are pleased that this report will restore truth: the commercial seal hunt is inherently "inhuman."

"This report ensures that the Canadian government's claim that 98% of seals are killed humanely at the commercial seal hunt is scientifically incorrect. It also reveals the truth about commercial hunting of seals in Canada and it destroys one the most consistently great myths propagated by the Canadian government, "said Sheryl Fink, a researcher from IFAW.
During this study of seal hunting in Canada, the EFSA scientists have found that:
- There is strong evidence that in practice, seals are not always effectively killed;
It is proved that for commercial hunting of seals in Canada, the animals suffer pain and distress (ie, they are killed so inhumane);
- In many cases, hunters do not comply with Canadian regulations that require manually checking the skull or make a reflex test blink of the eye.
- Contrary to current practice, hunters should not try to kill a seal when it is not a stable target, or if the hunter can be unbalanced, as it is on blocks of ice in motion;
- The seal hunt should be open to independent inspections without interference with.
EFSA concludes that the seals should be recognized as sensitive marine mammals that can feel pain, distress, fear and other forms of suffering, and not like fish, which is their classification in Canada. He also advises that seals are protected from the practices of slaughter and cutting which they endure the pain, distress and suffering that could be avoided.
The report makes an important distinction between the methods prescribed to stun and kill seals, which are described in the Canadian regulations on marine mammals and methods that are used at the Canadian Commercial hunting.
"IFAW collects information on commercial hunting of seals in Canada for decades and has witnessed acts of unspeakable cruelty taking place on the ice," said Mme.Fink.
IFAW has submitted films non-mounted panel of EFSA, which showed clearly that the seals were hooked and towed alive, that seals injured suffered for a very long time, and only a few hunters practiced basic tests to ensure that the seals were dead before the skin. Reports and photographs representative are available on the website www.stopthesealhunt.org.
"The Canadian government must now admit that the report of EFSA clearly specifies: The commercial seal hunt in Canada is inhumane, current regulation does not meet modern standards of animal welfare and, moreover, it is inapplicable. It is clearly time for Canada to abandon the hunt cruel and unnecessary. "
The EFSA report was compiled at the request of the European Commission. EFSA evaluated from the point of view of animal welfare scientific evidence on the various methods of slaughtering and skinning seals.
For further information on what IFAW to stop commercial hunting of seals, visit www.stopthesealhunt.org.
Source: IFAW
2007-12-23 16:08:10