Finally! People are realizing that commercial sealing in Canada isn't about economic necessity. No, it is about regional politics, and special interest groups such as the Fur Industry that are wielding their power over the federal government when it comes to this issue. How else can we explain the Canadian government's insistence on supporting the seal hunt, when the majority of Canadians are opposed to it?

Unfortunately, Weston's article repeats the government myth that anti-sealing campaigns show whitecoat seals being killed: highly unlikely since any such photos would be at least 20 years old. The truth is that Europeans - and most Canadians - are equally repulsed by the inhumane killing of seal pups of any age, whether it be a 2 week old whitecoat, or a 3 week old "beater" with its silvery-spotted coat (the current seals targetted in Canada's commerical seal hunt).

But such myths have been flowing freely from Canadian officials this week, along with the charge that the European decision to ban seal products is based on misinformation. Such claims are so demonstrably false they are laughable. The ban on seal products announced in Europe this week was not a decision taken lightly - it is the culmination of three years of extensive evidence gathering and critical analysis. A thorough and extensive scientific opinion of the killing and skinning of seals in commercial seal hunts around the world, including Canada's, was produced, as well as a socio-economic evaluation of the impact of an EU ban.

Yes, European policy makers are undoubtedly better informed about the facts of seal hunting than are most Canadian politicians. In fact, Europe has taken a much more comprehensive look at commercial seal hunts than any political party or committee in Canada has done in the past 20 years.

Senator Mac Harb's recent attempts to have this issue debated in the Canadian Senate is a timely example. Not one single Senator has been enough to second the Harb Seal Bill so that the issue of commercial sealing can receive the benefit of a proper public debate. Are Canadian politicians afraid of the truth about the seal slaughter? How long do they think they can they hide behind their lies and rhetoric?

Fortunately, Europe has now stepped up and shown leadership where there Canadian government has failed. Markets for seal fur are dismal, and are not likely to be revived any time soon, even with continued subsidies. Like the tobacco industry, demand for seal fur is something that is unlikely to experience a huge resurgence in the near future, and for very good reason. To keep subsidizing sealers and promoting the sealing industry is economically irresponsible as well as unethical.

It seems obvious now that the only thing keeping the seal slaughter alive in Canada is the continuous infusion of government funds. Spending millions of dollars on a WTO challenge might prolong the inevitable death of this industry, but to what end? Not only will more seals suffer, but Canada - and Canadians - will continue to pay a heavy price – with our taxes, and with our reputation on the world stage.

If Canadian politicians really cared about sealers and their families, they would put their money where their mouth is and start transitioning people out of this archaic and unnecessary industry, sooner rather than later. That is the responsible thing to do, and such an action would be supported by the majority of Canadians.

As the Vancouver Olympics approach, all eyes will be on Canada. The EU ban on seal products now provides Canadian politicians a chance to make a graceful exit out of this mess and end the commercial seal hunt once and for all. It remains to be seen if they can set their egos aside, accept the reality that commercial sealing is inherently inhumane as well as unnecessary, and do the right thing - for Canadians, and for the seals.

Now reaching that goal is closer than ever.

The European Parliament voted 550 to 49 to ban the trade of seal products within the EU. This decisive measure truly reflects the will of Europe’s citizenry, and slams the door on the sale of seal products in Europe from this inhumane and unsustainable industry.

In achieving this ban, 7 of Canada’s 10 top export markets, representing 85% of total exports are officially closed for business.

In Canada, some sealers have started to close down shop as well, citing poor pelt prices and lack of buyers. On April 16th of this year, only six “longliner” sealing vessels left port to start the hunt in Newfoundland compared to more than 113 ships active only a few short years ago.

Jack Troake, one of Canada’s most outspoken proponents of the commercial hunt, opted to stay home. With pelt prices having dropped to as little as $15 each, this was clearly an easy and wise decision to make.

The implementation of this ban will have a permanent quantifiable impact on the remaining international trade in the fur of these helpless creatures.

IFAW believes it may be the beginning of the end to the Canadian commercial seal hunt. This landslide vote demonstrates an enormous resolve to institute this ban across Europe as quickly as possible.

However this victory is only for one battle, the war continues to be waged and we need your continued support to help us put an end to the cruelty once and for all…we must now shift our focus back to Canada to support the courage of Senator Mac Harb and his efforts to ban the practice in his own country.

IFAW is calling on everyone to help make a final push and tell the Canadian embassy officials in their countries to end commercial seal hunting forever.

The end is in sight, will you take 5 minutes to help the seals? Please visit www.stopthesealhunt.org right now.

An illustrative example is provided by Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette’s letter in the March 25 edition of Embassy in which she attempts to demonize organizations that hold views contrary to her own. When opponents use such tactics—as the Liberals and their former leader know only too well—the facts invariably take a beating.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare is, as our name indicates, an animal welfare organization and, to use the senator's word, it is manipulative to suggest otherwise. IFAW is not on a campaign to "force the world to become vegetarian." IFAW is on a campaign to end Canada's commercial seal slaughter.

While the senator may be comfortable using the well-documented and long-standing Canadian government strategy of "play[ing] the Nunavut Inuit card," the fact remains that Inuit are not involved in Canada's commercial seal hunt. And, contrary to her assertion, IFAW is not opposed to subsistence hunting by Inuit or other First Nations' people.

The senator is nonetheless correct in saying that hunting methods have been studied by independent veterinarians. But what she forgets to add is that the Canadian government has largely ignored their recommendations. Even in the case of the WWF-funded veterinary working group—a government favourite—only one of its 11 recommendations from 2005 has been implemented. DFO even admitted in December 2008 that Canada's Marine Mammal Regulations would not qualify for a derogation under the European Union's proposed trade ban in seal products. The minor "tweaks"—DFO's own characterization—to those regulations made earlier this year do not change that conclusion.

Of course, there is moral judgment involved in IFAW's opposition to Canada's commercial seal hunt, just as there are moral judgements expressed throughout the senator's diatribe. If she really thinks that she can refute "point by point" documented statements that Canada's commercial seal hunt is economically insignificant, subsidized by governments, poorly monitored and regulated, and that harp seals are threatened by climate change, then, please, let's have the evidence. Contrary to another of her accusations, IFAW actually does believe the truth is important and it's time that the senator, and others, stopped misrepresenting it.

The real "tree" hiding the forest here is Canadian politics. How else can you explain the ongoing spectacle of our major political parties desperately trying to outdo each other in their misguided enthusiasm for killing seals? But just beneath the surface of this international embarrassment lurks an inconvenient truth. Theirs is not a heroic campaign to defend Canada's commercial seal hunt or the "livelihood" of East coast sealers. It is a political competition for a few seats in Atlantic Canada.

And the only folks who really make a decent living supporting the seal hunt are politicians from Atlantic Canada. That's why East coast ministers, MPs and senators from all four political parties in Parliament are far more fanatical about killing seals than are most sealers themselves.

The time has come for our political parties to stop misrepresenting verifiable facts, stop misusing taxpayer dollars, and stop wreaking havoc on seals and the marine environment. The time has come for our MPs and senators to show some responsibility and leadership, and begin representing the majority of Canadians who oppose Canada's commercial seal slaughter. The time has come for investment in viable, full-time employment opportunities appropriate for the 21^st Century. That's what those still involved in Canada's commercial seal hunt really need and deserve.

David Lavigne is the International Fund for Animal Welfare's science adviser. This piece ran in the April 15, 2009 online version of Embassy Magazine.

In this podcast produced by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, senior researcher Sheryl Fink relates her experience while on the ice during the 2009 Canadian commercial seal hunt. Take action today: http://www.stopthesealhunt.org

Right-click here to download the podcast. 

The International Fund for Animal Welfare's senior researcher Sheryl Fink was on the ice in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence while these photos of sealers working were captured. Her quotes are included in this slide show. For more information please visit http://www.stopthesealhunt.org

Right-click here to download the podcast.