Animal welfare aspects of killing and skinning seals - an update
At the request of the European Commission EFSA is assessing, from an animal welfare perspective, the scientific evidence about the different methods of killing and skinning seals. EFSA is looking objectively at whether any of these methods could be considered as humane; and which methods are likely to cause the least pain, distress or suffering. A working group of EFSA's Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) Panel is preparing a report and draft opinion drawing on the available scientific data and information.
http://www.oipa.org/hunting/campaign/canada/ahaw.html
ANIMAL WELFARE ASPECTS OF KILLING AND SKINNING SEALS -
AN UPDATE
At the request of the European Commission EFSA is assessing, from an animal welfare perspective, the scientific evidence about the different methods of killing and skinning seals. EFSA is looking objectively at whether any of these methods could be considered as humane; and which methods are likely to cause the least pain, distress or suffering. A working group of EFSA's Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) Panel is preparing a report and draft opinion drawing on the available scientific data and information.
EFSA met with stakeholders on 4th October to discuss work in progress on this issue. Around 40 organisations from 11 countries attended from a broad cross-section of animal welfare groups, hunter associations, scientific institutions, industry bodies and national authorities, including Inuit representatives. The stakeholders reviewed and commented on the draft report, provided additional information and received clarification from the working group on details of the report.
EFSA aims to have the final report and a draft scientific opinion ready for consideration by the AHAW Panel at its December 2007 meeting. Comments and suggestions made by stakeholders will be taken into account in preparing the report and draft opinion.
Animal health and welfare is an essential part of EFSA's overall mandate, which is wider than just food safety issues. This request from the Commission enables EFSA to contribute its scientific expertise on an important issue where an objective, independent evidence-based approach can play a valuable role in the decision making process. Stakeholders were reminded at the meeting that EFSA does not have a mandate to consider economical, social, cultural or other related issues, nor is EFSA the institution that decides on whether practices such as killing and skinning seals should be permitted or not.
Paola Ghidotti
OIPA International Campaigns Director
NAMIBIA 2007
Namibia is the only country in the world that still allows the killing of nursing baby seals. During what's been described as "the cruelest seal 'hunt' on the planet," young Cape Fur seal pups and adult males are beaten with clubs, stabbed, and shot with arrows. Although the Namibian government justifies its annual seal hunt by claiming that the seals are responsible for the demise of fish stocks, scientific studies have shown thatover-fishing is to blame-not seals. In reality, Cape Fur seals are killed mostly for their fur. Adult males are also killed for their penises, which are exported to Asia to be used as aphrodisiacs.
OIPA created a blog with all the news and videos about Namibian seal Hunt.
http://namibia2007.wordpress.com