EU Commission Proposes Ban in Seal Products

EU Environment Commissioner Mr. Stavros Dimas announced today a proposal to ban the trade in seal products.  The proposal comes after growing political opposition and a huge public outcry  about ongoing commercial hunts for young seals. 

While this is certainly a step forward, IFAW remains concerned about potential loopholes that would allow the trade to continue.  Specifically, the proposed ban allows exemptions for seal products obtained from hunts which meet certain criteria for killing seals.

“We are very concerned about this loophole,” said Robbie Marsland, Director of IFAW UK. “Only a complete ban can prevent products from these large-scale and inherently cruel hunts from entering the European markets. Harsh and unpredictable hunting conditions make it impossible to properly monitor or enforce so-called humane killing methods.”

Read more about the proposal here

Visit IFAW's Seal Campaign Page

A unique cooperative pilot project between IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare), the B.C. Ministry of Environment and the Northern Lights Wildlife Society (NLWS) returned two rehabilitated grizzly bears to the wild in northern British Columbia today.

The bear cubs, nicknamed Suzy and Johnny are both a year and a half old, and were rehabilitated at the NLWS center in Smithers, British Columbia. Suzy was orphaned in June 2007 after her mother was killed by a poacher. Johnny was rescued in Prince George, British Columbia in November 2007 after his mother was killed by a semi-truck.

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IFAW has wrapped up its rescue efforts in Illinois and Iowa. 

In Illinois, IFAW was involved in the rescue of companion animals, including horses, as well as farm animals and wildlife.  The companion animals and farm animals will be reunited with their owners, or if unowned, sent to local shelters for rehoming.  Wild animals will be rehabilitated and released into the wild.

In Iowa, IFAW was involved in the much-publicized "Big Ditch Pig Rescue", working with other groups to eventually rescue 69 pigs trapped on a levee.  The pigs are being transferred to their new home at Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York, where they will live out the rest of their lives free from neglect and cruelty.

DONATE TODAY to help us be prepared for future responses.

Read IFAW's Animal Rescue Blog to learn how this rescue mission unfolded.

Observers with IFAW have returned after witnessing the slaughter of harp seal pups during this year’s commercial seal hunt.

The team observed and documented sealers on the ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence hunting with hakapiks on the opening day of the hunt.