News from Charlotte Atkins
Labour MP for Staffordshire Moorlands

May 2009

Charlotte Atkins MP urges MEPs to support ban on seal products

A vote is due to take place in the European Parliament early this month which could mark the end of Europe’s involvement in the death of thousands of seals each year. The long awaited vote follows the decision last week by the Internal Market Committee which agreed to reject labelling in favour of a ban on seal products into Europe.

Charlotte Atkins MP has long been an active supporter of the campaign to end the commercial seal hunt in Canada’s east coast and has signed the Parliamentary motion which supports this committee decision.

“I fully support a European Union ban on the trade in all products derived from the commercial slaughter of seals, which is inherently inhumane. I urge MEPs to vote to end the trade in seal products into Europe,” Ms Atkins said.

The Staffordshire Moorlands Labour MP acknowledges that the UK Government has consistently pursued an EU wide ban, reflecting the long standing British opposition to the largest slaughter of marine mammals anywhere on the planet.

“The UK can stand proud of its efforts in continually pressing the European Commission to introduce measures to ban the import of seal products and I recognise the efforts of the majority of MEPs, and particularly Members of the Internal Market Committee, in reaching an agreement that will harmonise the trade rules throughout Europe.

“I am delighted that MEPs saw the labelling option for what it is – an unworkable cop-out. If passed, this would prohibit the seal products being placed on the market in the EU, bringing Europe in line with US which has had a ban on all seal imports in place since 1972.

“There is major opportunity to close loopholes and stop this unacceptably cruel trade throughout the European Union once and for all – sending a clear message that Europe wants no further part in this cruel and unnecessary hunt,” Ms Atkins added.