End federal support for seal hunt (Green Party Canada)

Media Releases
2005-12-01
End federal support for seal hunt

This government-subsidized seal hunt is a chapter in our history that needs to come to a close.

(St. John's, Thursday, 1 December 2005) - It's time to end federal support for the seal hunt and instead use federal programs to develop sustainable jobs that will bring Newfoundland and Labrador international praise, said Green Party of Canada leader Jim Harris today at a news conference in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Killing seals is an off-season activity for fishers, and profits make up only a tiny fraction of their incomes. When Canada banned whale killing, people discovered whale watching tours were more profitable. Likewise, the Green Party believes seal watching excursions would be better for the economy and the ecology of the East coast," said Harris. "Canada markets itself on wilderness and wildlife. This government-subsidized seal hunt is a chapter in our history that needs to come to a close."

Most Canadians don't know that the seal hunt is subsidized by their tax dollars. The Canadian Institute for Business and the Environment reports that the federal government provided more than $20 million in subsidies to the sealing industry between 1995 and 2001. Subsidies are used to upgrade and construct seal processing plants, promote the seal hunt abroad, develop new markets for seal products, and fund research into the development of new seal products.


Full article: http://www.greenparty.ca/mediarelease81.html

Free click everyday to help seals!

http://babyseals.care2.com/

http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/oceans/whales

Personally, I always hated those wretched fish sticks anyway.