MEP Skinner welcomes European seal product ban

Labour's Peter Skinner, Euro MP for South East England, has heralded the final passage in the European Parliament of a ban on the sale, importation, exportation and transportation of seal products in the European Union.

Peter, a key campaigner for Animal Welfare in the European Parliament, spoke after the overwhelming vote of 550 MEPs to 49.

Peter Skinner MEP said: "Sensible people in the South East and throughout Europe have long pressed for this ban, and their campaign has resulted in a significant decrease in fur prices and in the number of seals killed. However, on important issues like this, there is no substitute for concerted European action, and I am pleased that so many of my fellow MEPs have joined me in supporting this Community-wide ban, which will help us save even more seals in the years ahead."

"This is a tremendous victory for people power and a credit to the campaigners involved. I have received an endless number of postcards and emails supporting this campaign from people across the South East. This law will finally put an end to the slaughter of 300,000 seals a year."

"The fact that a Labour MEP is Chair of the Committee bringing in the ban is an essential fact in getting it. It was achieved in the face of intense pressure from heavy lobbying from countries that export this cruel trade. We took a tough line and are happy that the Council and Commission have backed our call for a ban."

"The original proposal for a weak regime of labelling of products put forward by the Lib Dem Rapporteur, Diane Wallis was roundly defeated in Committee."