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Yuri Trutnev, Russia’s natural resources minister, said in a statement quoted by the Associated Press: “The bloody sight of the hunting of seals, the slaughter of these defenseless animals, which you cannot even call a real hunt, is banned in our country, just as well as in most developed countries, and this is a serious step to protect the biodiversity of the Russian Federation.”<\/p>\n
\nThe world’s largest seal hunt is scheduled to begin later this month in Canada, where top leaders strongly defend the seal-products industry.<\/p>\n
\nThe European Union is considering a ban on all seal products, which would eliminate a key trade route and end-market for the furs. However, Gail Shea, Canada’s minister of fisheries and oceans, warned that such a move could violate international trade law. Nearly all Canadian seal products pass through Europe on their way to major consumers, including Norway, Russia and China, an industry spokesman said.<\/p>\n
\nWhile it is unclear whether Russia also will ban the import and sale of seal products, its decision on hunting deals another blow to an industry that has been losing a public relations battle to animal-rights groups. In recent years, the activists have gained public support by using photographs of young Canadian harp seal pups being clubbed to death on blood-stained ice floes.<\/p>\n
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