From the Economist May 16th-22nd 2009:
If the European Parliament were really interested in animal welfare, then it might look rather more closely at the farming industry that the European Union so lavishly rewards with subsidies. But it has more pressing business. On May 5th MEPs, suddenly disgusted by the cruelty of people far away hunting seals, voted to endorse a ban on the trade of seal products, most of which come from Canada. Their hypocritical recommendation, which still has to be approved by the European Commission and Council, isn’t even much good for the seals.
Every year, 300,000 seals meet their end not by mauling from a polar bear, but instantaneously from gunshot or a blow from a club. Four years ago the WWF, an environmental organisation, commissioned an independent vet’s report which concluded that seal clubbing is not cruel if it is properly done by competent and trained professionals. The report judged that the Canadian hunt was professional and highly regulated. And the vets said that popular horror of the seal hunt seemed to be based largely on emotion and on images that are difficult even for experienced observers to interpret.
By the grim standards of Europe’s farrowing sheds, millions of seals enjoy a blissful life fishing and breeding on the Canadian ice. At least Canadian seals have the luxury of being stunned before they die. Compassion in World Farming, a lobby group, says that half the sheep killed in France are conscious when their throats are slit. Such treatment is possible through a loophole that allows for religious slaughter—a loophole that the same champions of animal welfare in the European Parliament voted to avoid closing on May 7th.
A few seals are killed to protect fish, others as a source of blubber or food. Most are indeed killed for their fur. That may not be to everyone’s taste, but it is hardly unEuropean. Europe’s fur farms produce over 30m mink and fox pelts a year. Every four or five days Europe kills more animals for their fur than the entire annual Canadian hunt does in a year. Seal hunting sounds unfair; but Europeans are reluctant to ban the hunting of similarly defenseless game birds, deer or wild boar.
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ROUGHLY handled, and incompetently stunned, terrified animals may awaken several times before they are slaughtered. Some have their throats slit fully conscious. Europe’s industrial farms dispatch 1m sheep, cattle and pigs every day. You cannot cater to the welfare of a large animal like a pig when the line must kill five in a minute.
In short, because seals are cute, opposing their slaughter is a popular bandwagon to jump on. Not so much for the cows, pigs and sheep. I guess being good looking has its advantages: A bunch of celebrities and political bozos will shed a tear for you if you get clubbed to death. I'm sure watching a cow or pig or sheep get slaughtered is just as horrific as a seal getting killed, but for some reason you don't hear Sir Paul get all worked up over that. Good on you Michaëlle Jean! Eat your heart out Paul!
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Like the cows, pigs and sheep, us tax-paying fools are being led to the slaughter, all the while being made to feel guilty that a few cute animals are about to get clubbed. When you step onto the kill floor and are about to get stunned, chances are you won't feel so guilty. Whether the Industry Minister Tony clement (who refuses to answer my emails btw - give him a try Clement.T@parl.gc.ca) wants to admit it or not, Canadian tax payers are going to be paying the very generous pensions of retired auto-workers. While the rest of us suckers get fleeced, these pretty seals are crying about getting clubbed. Good for them that they had good jobs. But now the gig is up. Time to re-join reality. For some reason, you and I are expected to pick up the tab for their ridiculous pension. Maybe we should enlist the help of the Tamil Ski Laken protesters who appear to be immune to the law, and thus can help us protest without fear of arrest. Lets block the highways, shutdown the parliment. Women and children in front. C'mon cheif Blair, you panty-wearing bitch: Let's hear your excuses.
