Cull cruel seal hunts now

11.20.37am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 21st Mar 2006

"Only international pressure will force the Canadian Government to take their animal welfare responsibilities seriously"

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne is supporting a Commons campaign to ban imports of all products which have been produced as a result of Seal hunts in Canada.

Commenting Mr Huhne said "It is extraordinary that in this day and age we still condone cruel commercial hunting by allowing the sale of Seal products in Britain.

"The shear number of animals killed each year is astonishing, and we should not pretend that Seals die without suffering. There is strong evidence to suggest that over forty per cent of Seals are still alive when they are skinned.

"The US banned imports of seal products over thirty years ago, and our neighbours in Italy and Belgium intend to do the same. Only international pressure will force the Canadian Government to take their animal welfare responsibilities seriously.

"Britain should lead the international community in condemning the practice of clubbing and skinning. If the Canadian cull has to continue we must secure guarantees that it will carried out humanely.

"I urge the Government back this proposal and send a clear signal to the Canadian Government that we will not tolerate this unnecessary cruelty.