Paul Supports Brussels Rally for Seals

Paul McCartney supports Brussels Rally for Seals

Today (Tuesday 1 July) members and officials from Humane Society International join activists, from across Europe, in Brussels for a mass rally in support of a European Union ban on the seal product trade. An announcement on the trade is expected from the European Commission later this month.

A video statement from Paul McCartney will be broadcast at the rally.

Paul McCartney said today: Stopping the import of seal fur into the European Union could really put an end to this brutality once and for all please ask the EU to ban this terrible trade today.

Today, 1st July, signifies the start of the Namibian seal hunt, the second largest seal slaughter in the world, second only the annual Canadian hunt.

Mark Glover, Director of Humane Society International (UK) said today: I've witnessed firsthand the extreme suffering of baby seals in Canada and Namibia. Only a strong ban on seal product trade will stop the cruelty and meet the expectations of the European Parliament and European Citizens.

The rally, held outside the offices of the European Commission, will draw activists from across Europe including Germany, Slovakia, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary, Finland, UK, Sweden, Italy and Croatia. In addition to speeches from numerous Members of the European Parliament, footage from this year's Canadian seal hunt will be shown.

WHEN: Tuesday July 1, 2008 - 13.30 to 15.00 WHERE: Outside Berlaymont (headquarters of the European Commission), Rue de la Loi 200, 1000 Brussels

The rally has been jointly organised by Eurogroup for Animals, GAIA, Humane Society International and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.