EU Parliament vote is a victory against cruelty says Green MEP candidate

Today in the European Parliament’s plenary session, an overwhelming majority of MEPs voted in favour of a ban on the commercial trade of seal products in the EU.

Senator Deirdre de Burca, the Green Party’s European candidate for Dublin for commented: “I am delighted that Parliament has voted to ban the trade of seal products. By closing the door on fur and other seal products, Parliament has taken meaningful action to reduce the scale of cruel commercial seal killing across the world.

“The result pays tribute to the determination of all who persisted in demanding a ban when others said it was impossible. It goes to show that it is possible to galvanise political will and achieve positive results with the support of NGOs and the overwhelming balance of public opinion.

“Today’s vote marks a clear rejection of the weaker option of calling for a label on seal products instead of a ban.

“I hope that the ban on the trade in seal products will save save hundreds of thousands of seals from being clubbed and shot under cruel conditions in Canada and elsewhere.

“Parliament’s vote is a victory against cruelty and is to be warmly welcomed,” Senator de Burca concluded.

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Press Release by Deirdre