[IMC-UK-Features] Feature Proposal: Campaigners Celebrate Victory On EU Seal Ban

[wietse]

Hiya,

I'd like to propose the following feature for UK and Ocean Defence topic 
page:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/07/402783.html

Cheers, Wietse

----------------------->

Title: Campaigners Celebrate Victory On EU Seal Ban

Image: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/images/2008/03/395069.jpg

Abstract:

<p>
There is good news for campaigners on the proposed EU ban on the import 
on seal products from Canada. The EU's Environment Commissioner Stavros 
Dimas has just announced to EU ministers that legislation for a trade 
ban on all seal products from Canada will come into force in a matter of 
weeks.</p>
<p>
The Canadian slaughter of over 350.000 baby harp seals takes place each 
year around March/April off the east coast of Canada in Newfoundland. 
The 'hunt' has been widely condemned around the world, but the Canadian 
government is ademend in its continued support. The new announcement is 
seen as a big victory for campaigners.</p>
<p>
<strong>Audio:</strong> <a href="/en/2008/04/395481.html">Interview With 
Captain Onboard Sea Shepherd Ship On Current Seal Hunt</a></p>
<p>
<strong>Previous feature:</strong> <a 
href="/en/2008/04/396478.html">Armed Canadian Coast Guard Storms 
Conservation Vessel</a></p>
<p>
<strong>On the newswire:</strong> <a href="/en/2008/03/395068.html">Sea 
Shepherd Moves In On Canadian Seal Slaughter</a> | <a 
href="/en/2006/03/336832.html">Seal Slaughter: contacts to protest</a> | 
<a href="/en/2005/12/329342.html">Canadian Seal Hunt: New attack by 
Brigitte Bardot and Franz Weber</a> | <a 
href="/en/2004/03/287225.html">Stop Canada's Seal Hunt</a> | <a 
href="/en/2004/04/289316.html">Biggest Seal Hunt in 50 Years Draws 
Protest</a> | <a href="/en/2004/04/289425.html">Stop Seal Hunt - Hunters 
Allowed To Kill 350,000 Young Seals This Year</a></p>
<p>
<strong>Links:</strong> <a href="http://www.seashepherd.org">Sea 
Shepherd Conservation Society</a> | <a 
href="http://www.canadiansealhunt.com/">Canadian Seal Hunt</a> | <a 
href="http://www.harpseals.org/">Harpseals.org</a> | <a 
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_hunting">Wikipedia on Seal 
Hunt</a> | <strong><a href="">Ocean Defence Topic Page</a></strong>

Body:

<p>
One of the organisations who opposed to the seal hunt this year was the 
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. It has been <a 
href="/en/2008/03/395068.html">documenting</a> the Canadian seal hunt 
since the middle of March. But as usual Sea Shepherd campaigns don't go 
unnoticed or without incident. On the 30th March, the Coast Guard <a 
href="/en/2008/03/395080.html">rammed</a> the Sea Shepherd ship twice, 
in an attempt to keep it away from the seal hunt. On 5th April, the ship 
was <a href="/en/2008/04/395703.html">attacked by a mob</a> of 30-40 
angry seal hunters while anchored in the French island of St. Pierre. 
The crew of the Sea Shepherd ship 'the Farley Mowat' had been 
documenting violations of the humane regulations and gathering proof 
that seals are still being killed in an inhumane manner. The Canadian 
goverment had been actively <a 
href="http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=412485">lobbying</a> 
the EU to show that the hunt has become 'humane and sustainable'.</p>
<p>
The Farley Mowat was finally <a href="/en/2008/04/396372.html">attacked 
by armed officers</a> from the Canadian Coast Guard on 12th April. The 
1st officer and the captain of the ship were arrested to be brought 
before a court in Canada <a href="/en/2008/04/395746.html">charged with 
offences related to coming too close to the seal hunt. One woman 
allegedly sustained a head injury when was roughed up and received a 
blow to the head by an officer. The ship was impounded and is currently 
still being held by the Canadian authorities.</p>