U.S. Senate Passes Resolution Against Canadian Seal Hunt

May 8, 2009

In another sign of mounting global opposition over Canada's killing baby seals, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senate Resolution 84 last night, calling for an immediate end to this annual commercial slaughter. HSI and The Humane Society of the United States (The HSUS) hailed the vote as another powerful signal that Canada can no longer afford to ignore. Tell Canada to pass its own legislation to end the hunt.

This historic vote came just days after the European Union voted by a huge margin to ban the import of seal products from Canada.

"It's time for Canada to listen to the rest of the world. The migrating seals are a glorious resource for tourism, and the government in Ottawa must no longer resist the future for the sake of the bloody past," said John Grandy, The HSUS' senior vice president for wildlife and habitat protection. The HSUS has long been in the vanguard of the fight to end this slaughter.

The bi-partisan U.S. Senate resolution was sponsored by Sens. Carl Levin, D-Michigan, and Susan Collins, R-Maine.

"It is truly gratifying that the U.S. Senate has passed this resolution," said Sen. Levin. "Canada needs to understand that the rest of the world will not stand by and allow this slaughter to continue. Ten countries have now either banned trade in seal products or have indicated their intentions to do so and the European Union has just enacted a prohibition on seal product trade."

Sen. Collins said, "International opinion, as well as the opinion of the vast majority of Canadian citizens, is overwhelmingly in favor of ending the Canadian seal kill. We strongly encourage the government of Canada to bring this inhumane slaughter to an end."

The resolution noted that more than one million seals have been killed during the past five years, 95 percent of them pups between 12 days and 12 weeks of age. That means that many seals were slaughtered before they had even eaten their first solid meal or taken their first swim.  

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Humane Society International is the international arm of The Humane Society of the United States, among the world’s largest animal protection organizations — backed by 11 million people. HSI is creating a better future for animals and people through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide— On the web at hsi.org.