Barcelona, February 2015.- The Norwegian government has announced that, from 2015, seal hunting will no longer be subsidised. The decision to remove the subsidy, which amounted to 1.4 million euros, was taken following the confirmation by the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the validity of the EU embargo on products derived from seal hunting, which has been in force for more than four years.

This decision indicates that Norway has come to accept that the marketing ban on products derived from seals, in force in 34 countries, reflects the reality of today and a business that has become an anachronism. Norway has decided to allocate the funds to more profitable activities.

We hope that Canada will soon follow Norway and also put an end to subsidies for seal hunting. The life of tens of thousands of seals is at stake. In addition several species of seal (harp seal, ringed seal and hooded seal) are now endangered, due to extreme thaws resulting from climate warming.

Source: Journal Droit Animal, Éthique & Sciences - No. 84 - January 2015