MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Dec. 6, 2013) - An announcement by Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture for Newfoundland and Labrador, and Gail Shea, federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that nearly half a million dollars of government subsidies will be provided to the commercial sealing industry, flies in the face of Canadian opposition to the seal slaughter.
Humane Society International/Canada's executive director Rebecca Aldworth said:
"Most Canadians oppose the seal slaughter and the use of public money to support commercial sealing. Yet our government feels it appropriate to pour millions of tax dollars each year into the economic sinkhole that is the commercial sealing industry. This is particularly shameful in light of the recent cuts to life saving search and rescue operations within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
"Markets for seal products are closing, not opening, and the recent World Trade Organization ruling confirms that. The writing is on the wall - the sealing industry is dead. It is high time our government invested in a one-time sealing industry buyout instead of wasting our tax dollars in a futile attempt to artificially prop up this cruel, outdated slaughter."
Background:
Humane Society International/Canada is a leading force for animal protection, representing tens of thousands of members and constituents across the country. HSI/Canada has active programs in companion animals, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammal preservation and farm animal welfare. HSI/Canada is proud to be a part of Humane Society International-one of the largest animal protection organizations in the world, with more than eleven million members and constituents globally-on the Web at hsicanada.ca.
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