Record number of MEPs sign for the seals
European Parliament adopts Written Declaration on banning seal products in the European Union
21 September 2006
A record 425 MEPs signed the Written Declaration (0038/2006) calling for a ban on seal products in the European Union. It is believed that this is the highest number of signatures ever recorded on any Written Declaration, surpassing the mandatory 50% of signatures required for adoption.
The high level of support shown by MEPs clearly echoes the widespread condemnation of the annual Canadian seal slaughter. Over 325,000 seals, the vast majority under three months old, were killed for their fur this year alone; in the last four years over one million seal pups have been clubbed or shot to death, many likely skinned alive.
The declaration will now be forwarded to the European Commission and the Council of Ministers, demanding that a ban is implemented.
In a statement the Parliament said that ‘The House requests the Commission to immediately draft a regulation to ban the import, export and sale of all harp and hooded seal products.’
Respect for Animals and the Humane Society International (UK) are delighted that the Written Declaration has been adopted and eagerly awaits action by the Commission at the earliest possible opportunity.
The Written Declaration was initiated by:
- Caroline Lucas (UK, Green/European Free Alliance)
- Carl Schlyter (Sweden, Green/European Free Alliance)
- Paulo Casaca (Portugal, Party of European Socialists)
- Karl-Heinz Florenz (Germany, European People’s Party)
- Mojca Drcar Murko (Slovenia, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe)
Our thanks to them, to everyone who wrote to their MEPS asking them to sign the Declaration, and to all the MEPs who signed for the seals.