-----Original Message-----

From: Andrea Cimino

Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007



Urgent Action Needed:
Defend Belgium's and the Netherland's seal-friendly legislation
to the European Commission

I'm sending this on behalf of the Belgian animal protection organization GAIA.  For an update on European legislation to ban the importation and sale of seal fur and other seal products from Canada and other nations still killing seals, visit www.hsicanada.ca/seals/seals-news/progress_to_end_seal_hunt_101707.html . 
 
 
Defend Belgium's and the Netherland's seal-friendly legislation to the European Commission


Canada wants to get Belgium's and the Netherland?s ban on seal fur rescinded




On 25 January 2007, the Belgian Parliament approved a ban on the trade in fur and other products (such as oil) originating from seals. An historic moment, since Belgium became the first EU country to impose such a ban. It was hoped to have a snowball effect: the more countries followed Belgium's example, the more the markets for seal products would melt like snow in the sun.

 

This snowball effect has occurred: since September, the Netherlands no longer allow seal products into the country, and meanwhile, Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom have also publicly stated that the trade which originates from the seal hunt must be stopped. This is a powerful signal to Canada, which still allows the cruel seal hunt.

 

But Canada is fighting the Belgian and Dutch legislation, and has initiated a procedure in the World Trade Organization to get it rescinded. The European Commission must now examine the legislation to see whether it contravenes international trade regulations. Numerous recent surveys have shown that a majority of EU inhabitants are against the seal hunt. Nevertheless, it is very important that we make clear to the European Commission that the EU-citizens fully supports the ban.

 

Therefore, please write to Peter Mandelson, European Commission Trade Commissioner, to express your support for the ban imposed by Belgium and the Netherlands. Ask him, in your own words, to do whatever he can to ensure that the European Commission will strongly defend the existing Belgian and Dutch bans on seal products. Send the letter (in your own language is fine) before 10 November (no e-mails).



You can also point out to him that in September 2006, a majority of the European Parliament signed a written declaration asking the Commission to ban the import and export of seal products in the European Union as a whole.



Have you never picked up your pen to speak up for animals? This is the time to do it. There is much at stake for the seals. If the Belgian ban is overturned, the chances of an EU-wide ban will significantly recede. So we need your support very badly !

 

Write to:

Mr Peter Mandelson

Commissioner for Trade

European Commission

Wetstraat 200

1049 Brussels

Belgium



Then forward this e-mail to all the people in your address book. Together we can make a difference for the seals.

 

On behalf of the seals, thank you.



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vzw GAIA asbl
Ravensteingalerij 27?
27?Galerie Ravenstein
1000? Brussels
T: 02 / 245 29 50
F: 02 / 215 09 43
www.gaia.be
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