CDN Fisheries Minister's statement on the seal hunt
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DFO: Minister Hearn Supports Responsible Approach to Seal Hunt
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(CCN Matthews - Feb. 8, 2007) - I am
disappointed with the statement released today in the British House of
Commons which reinforces inaccurate information concerning Canada's seal
hunt.
Parliamentarians from the UK have received abundant information from
Canadian officials that prove the hunt is conducted in a humane manner,
including reports done by international, independent veterinarians.
It is important for Canadians to understand that the British
statement does not create any sort of ban on seal products, either in
the UK, or the European Union itself.
The European Commission has already indicated that it is not prepared
to implement such a ban. It has publicly stated that it does not have
any concerns from a conservation perspective. It has also told us that
it will undertake a thorough assessment of conflicting reports on humane
aspects of the hunt to ensure that it gets the fulsome understanding of
this matter.
I am pleased with the Commission's constructive, responsible
approach. Ambassador Loyola Sullivan and I look forward to working with
it to answer all its questions.
I am confident that when hunting practices are examined in an
impartial, scientific fashion, it will confirm what we have been saying
all along: that the hunt is conducted in a humane manner.
I will continue to work with my federal colleagues and my provincial
and territorial counterparts to advance Canada's position on the
international scene concerning this important issue.
Loyola Hearn
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
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