By Martin Banks - 26th March 2008
The European commission's threat to ban seal fur imports has been welcomed by MEPs.
But the executive must now follow through with action, insists Neil Parish, a UK Conservative MEP.
He was speaking after EU environment commissioner, Stavros Dimas, said he is considering trade sanctions against Canada, one of the largest killers of seals, ahead of the latest cull due to start this week.
Last year, parliament passed a written declaration calling for a fur import ban.
When a written declaration receives the signatures of over half the total number of MEPs - as occurred with the seal motion - it becomes a formal resolution of parliament and carries more weight with the commission and national governments.
Parish, chairman of parliament's animal welfare intergroup, said: "As the culling season gets underway, the time has come for the commission to take action.
“The slaughter of seals in Canada, including seals that are just a few weeks old, is barbaric and the EU should not condone it.
"The methods used - cudgelling with a 'hakapik' or shooting - have too often not killed the seal outright and I am not satisfied with Canadian assertions that seals are not still being skinned alive.
"When parliament was considering whether to call for a ban, I was overwhelmed by the number of people who contacted me in support.
"Many countries in Europe and around the world have introduced or are considering a ban on these imports, but I believe it would require the entire EU to implement a single ban to ensure the demand for seal skins dries up."
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