27 March 2008 - Caroline Lucas MEP has expressed serious concerns today that NGO representatives and reporters from the British media are being prevented from viewing Canada’s annual seal cull.

Representatives from Respect for Animals and UK media outlets have reported that they are being denied the opportunity to document the hunt and inform the rest of the world about what is occurring on the Gulf of Lawrence.

The Green MEP for the South East of England said: "It is outrageous that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans seems to be preventing animal welfare NGOs and the international media from witnessing the seal cull. Their unwillingness clearly shows that the Canadians have something to hide and do not wish the outside world to see what is really going on.

“Permits have been issued in previous years without any problem, so the current barriers put up by the DFO on the Gulf of Lawrence appear to be a blatant attempt to suppress images and footage of the cull. I can only assume that Canada is unwilling to face further international condemnation for allowing such savage animal cruelty within its borders.

“A quota of 15,000 seals for this region means that it is possible the cull will be completed in one day, so assurances that permits may be issued tomorrow are wholly unacceptable. It is intolerable that press freedom is being suppressed in this way and that peaceful observers who have travelled from the UK are being prevented from taking part in a legitimate activity.

Dr Lucas concluded: "Once again, I call on the European Commission to act now to bring in a total ban on seal products into the EU and to step up the pressure on governments to halt this barbaric trade."

ENDS