Baby Seals -Victory for ‘people power’ and the effectiveness of European Parliament trade sanctions

David Martin, Scotland’s senior European MP and Labour spokesperson on International Trade, has today, Tuesday 5 May, welcomed the backing of the full Parliament for the strategy he worked out with the Council and Commission for a ban on the trade in seal products in the European Union.

Mr Martin said: “This law is a victory for people power and a credit to the campaigners involved. The vast majority of people across the United Kingdom and Europe are horrified by the cruel clubbing to death of seals. This law will ensure there is no European market for these products and put an end to the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of seals every year."

David Martin added: "It has been a battle to get this law on the statute book. Sustained last minute lobbying by non-EU countries has sought to demonise Europe for ending a trade which in reality is collapsing around the world. I have been determined to promote the use of trade sanctions to bring about the will of the European public."

‘’I first witnessed the barbarous activity of the seal hunters in Canada over 20 years ago and have been determined ever since to bring it to and end and am very happy that trade sanctions now seem to be playing an effective role in bringing this result which will end the blood on the ice,’’ continued Mr Martin. 

"The impact of this impending ban has already been felt. Thanks to the continuing collapse in the fur price the Canadian hunt has killed less than 60,000 seals this year, down from over 220,000 last year,” concluded Mr Martin.