Stop the slaughter (From York Press)

Stop the slaughter

9:35am Thursday 31st August 2006 in Letters By Reader's letter

I AM writing to urgently ask for your readers help in ending the largest most brutal slaughter of marine mammals on the planet - the Canadian seal hunt.

Over one-and-a-quarter million seal pups have been clubbed or shot to death over the last four years in Canada, the majority less than 12-weeks-old.

An independent veterinary study concluded that 42 per cent of seals may have been skinned while still conscious. These seals are slaughtered solely for the commercial value of their fur.

Currently, there is a Written Declaration before the European Parliament calling for a ban on seal products within the EU. For this to pass, 367 MEPs must sign the declaration before September 15.

If the declaration passes, it will ensure this very important issue is aired and will be a huge step forward in our efforts to end the seal hunt.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Yorkshire and Humber MEP's Linda McAvan, Richard Corbett and Edward McMillan Scott for signing the declaration. Their support is crucial to the success of the ban on seal products.

However, three of the regions MEPs are still to sign. They are Timothy Kirkhope, Diana Wallis and Godfrey Bloom. Please write to all of them, or as many as you can, urging them to add their signature to the declaration.

You can find their contact details by visiting www.europarl.org.uk or by phoning 0207 2274300.

For more information, phone 0115 952 5440, or visit our website at www.boycott-canada.com Please help to end this brutal slaughter of baby seals.

Mandy Carter, Respect For Animals, PO Box 6500, Nottingham.