RUSSIA considering a ban on hunting baby seals

[Annces]

Fur-loving nation considers seal hunt ban

From correspondents in Russia

April 07, 2008

RUSSIA is considering a ban on hunting baby seals, a practice that kills some 35,000 animals each year in the country, the natural resources ministry has said.

"We consider it necessary,'' a ministry spokeswoman said.

"It is not allowed in any other country.''

"A document is being prepared'' on the matter, the spokeswoman said.

Last month, Russian celebrities and environmental activists held a rally against the practice on the shore of Russia's northern White Sea, where most of the hunting takes place in March and April.

The seals are killed for their fur, fat and meat.

Some 335,000 people recently signed a petition calling for a ban, the spokeswoman said.

Russian television last month showed footage of men walking with ice-picks during a hunt, hitting one baby seal after another as the snow turned red with blood.

Russian daily newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda today reported that soft-spoken president-elect Dmitry Medvedev was behind the ministry's move.


http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23504133-401,00.html

http://pictures.directnews.co.uk/liveimages/Seal+-+IAR+ONLY+DO+NOT+USE_1120_18539653_0_0_7012100_300.jpg

[flvegan]

1. Russia tried this a decade or so ago.

IIRC, Parliament passed it, but was shot down by the Prez.

Interesting though, how Russian govt just might leapfrog the Canadian govt on this issue.

[Annces]

2. This is the New President who is bringing this up

So if Putin was the only one holding it back before, it should pass.


president-elect Dmitry Medvedev

[napoleon_in_rags]

3. If you have to throw baby fish back... nt