Victory! We've Done It - ARAN Applaud New EU Seal Product Ban!

international | animal rights | news report Tuesday May 05, 2009 12:21 by Stephan Wymore - Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) stephanwymore at hotmail dot com

We bring you more good news! The European Union have just announced that they are to ban the trade in seal products into Europe. This good news comes amid fierce opposition from the Canadian government whom have been sending countless delegations to Europe in order to lobby Ministers and MEP’s. Their campaign has been built on lies and bullying tactics. Today’s news will now mean that once the legislation comes into force, it will be illegal to sell or trade in seal products from countries such as Canada where the cruel commercial seal hunt takes place—thus cutting off a major market for seal skins

Photo Credit Mark Glover HSUS (c)

As many of you know, here in Ireland Animal Rights Action Network had been working hard to support the international campaign to stop Canada killing baby seals. Over the last few months, we have been busy behind the scenes lobbying Irish MEP’s to ensure they stand firm against the lies and deceit that has came from the Canadian government. We have been organizing exciting events and protests to raise awarness of Canada’s seal hunt, including a celebrity photocall that involved longtime ARAN supporter Linda Martin whom was joined by Jim Corr of the band ‘The Corrs’, Gerard Byrne from Fair City along with Irish model and beauty and ARAN supporter Suzanne Mccabe, all kindly donating their time to help our campaign to stop Canada killing seals. We also successfully lobbied the Irish government into a u-turn which meant they suppored a total EU trade ban and not the original that was riddled with loopholes and exemptions. ARAN has also been working with dozens of supporters across the country who too have been working hard, many well into the late hours of the evening lobbying MEP’s, writing articles for the media, contacting Canadian embassy’s and consulates—even some supporters went door to door collecting petitions, distributing our leaflets and much more—it shows that team work does make a huge difference and it shows that ARAN members are now a force to be reckoned with.

Please take a moment to pat yourself on the back if you done something, anything, to help on the EU seal product trade campaign, because its the hard work and determination of kind and caring people like you whom really do make the difference. Over the coming weeks we’ll be announcing the next phase of our Irish campaign so please be ready to roll up your sleeves for more action and please mark your diaries for a big protest on Sunday, May 24th in Dublin, it’s going to be great, more details to follow, soon!

Thank you for all your doing to help animals, we truly do appreciate all your help and support, it makes a huge difference.