CANADIAN SEAL CULL

Early day motion 611, tabled 11 February 2004 by David Lepper (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 167 members.

That this House notes that the number of animals killed during the 2003 Canadian hunt of harp and hooded seals was approximately 300,000, and that a study of the hunt in 2001 by international veterinarians found up to 42 per cent. of seal pups were skinned alive while conscious; welcomes the Minister for Trade and Investment's comment during a debate on 4th November 2003 that the UK Government does not accept the need for any seal cull; further notes the boycott of Canadian tourism organised by Respect for Animals; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to convey its gravest concerns to the Canadian Government over the continuation of this hunt.

Signatures by party: Labour 119, Liberal Democrat 23, Labour/Co-operative 11, Conservative 9, Plaid Cymru 2, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.