Principal Buyer of Canadian Seal Skins Subsidized by Govt...

From HSUS: Principal Buyer of Canadian Seal Skins
Subsidized by Govt. to Burn Pelts

Begin forwarded message:

PLEASE CROSSPOST WIDELY

Just when you think you've heard the most evil,
cynical, greedy, obscene act, along comes one
to beat it! The ice floes have been running red
with the blood of baby seals being clubbed to
death for their pelts, and now we learn this.
How much worse can it get?

This information begs to be posted everywhere!
____________________________

Principal Buyer of Canadian Seal Skins Subsidized
by Government To Burn Pelts

June 7, 2006

Washington - The Humane Society of the United States
today reacted to news that a Norwegian company has
destroyed 10,000 harp seal skins, commenting that the
revelation contradicts claims of strong markets for seal
products.

Norwegian media outlets reported last week that the
top buyer of Canadian seal pelts, Norwegian based
GC Rieber, was paid by the Norwegian government to
destroy 10,000 harp seal skins. GC Rieber is considered
the economic backbone of the Canadian sealing industry,
each year buying 50 to 80 percent of the skins from
seals killed during the annual seal hunt in Canada. Slain
Canadian seals account for more than 90 percent of
Rieber's seal skin business.

"For years we've suspected some form of price rigging
through hidden government subsidies - now we have
proof," said Rebecca Aldworth, director of Canadian
wildlife issues for The Humane Society of the United States.
"These revelations demonstrate that the Canadian seal hunt,
in addition to being cruel and inhumane, is also economically
unjustified."

GC Rieber purchases sealskins through its Newfoundland
subsidiary, Carino, and has repeatedly claimed that the
demand for seal products is so strong they cannot match
supply. However, a recent media report revealed that the
Norwegian government has paid Rieber 2 million Norwegian
kroner (about $370,000 CAD/ $330,000 USD) to burn
10,000 excess Norwegian harp seal skins.

The Norwegian harp seal skins were obtained from sealers,
who had also received major government subsidies
(2.5 million Norwegian kroner) to kill the seals. The
Norwegian government justified the burning of the skins,
indicating it was impossible to find markets for the harp
seal pelts.

Animal protection groups and trade specialists have
questioned the repeated claims of strong sealskin markets
made by Rieber in recent years.

"In 2000, the markets were so weak that Carino stopped
buying seal skins halfway through the season, and sealers
returning from the hunt dumped their seal skins into the
ocean because they were worthless," said Aldworth.
"Just a few years later, Carino is claiming their sales are
the strongest they've ever been - even as major European
markets are closing."

That apparently is what the Norwegians thought of
thier product,
in relation to the Newfoundland pelts.

Did you happen to know if they burned the flippers,
too?

That is the tastiest part of the seal. The flipper.
Flipper Pie.
Ribs are good in stew. Meat (ie rump, groin) are best
canned with onions.

Since there is nothing left for the seals to eat, and
in twenty years there will be no ice for
them to be born on, maybe they should just shoot them
all now. Have a big old scoff.
I'll bring the accordion if you'll bring the liquor!


Yes By.

PS Do cows go mad when you pull thier tails? Do
chickens drink thier wages
when they get out of thier cages?