Labour Euro MP Richard Corbett has joined calls for a ban on the import of seal products. Animal welfare groups are applying pressure on the EU Commission to put forward legislation banning seal products as Canada gears up for its annual seal cull, in which hunters club seals to death for their skins.

Richard said: "The European Parliament has been pushing the Commission for a ban on seal product imports since 2006 when it adopted a resolution calling for legislation to ban the import, export and sale of all harp and hooded seal products."

Richard continued: "I am in favour of a total ban on commercial seal products. More than 350,000 seals are cruelly slaughtered each year and there is huge public and political opposition to Canada 's seal hunt in Britain and throughout Europe . An EU wide ban would send a clear message that this barbaric practice cannot be tolerated."

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Press enquiries: Contact Luke Thorne, Press and Communications Officer to Richard Corbett MEP

• phone 0113 245 8987
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