An Important Message from Paul McCartney

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Dear Friend,

Like me, you’ve probably seen the horrifying images of helpless baby
seals being beaten and shot for their fur. Wounded seals left to
suffer in agony. Conscious pups sliced open. And the reason for
their pain? So that someone can sell their fur.

For so many years, we’ve tried to stop this senseless brutality.
Today, you and I have a chance to stop this cruelty forever.

Twenty-five years ago, the European Union made history when it ended
its trade in products from newborn harp seals. Commercial seal
hunting in some countries came to a virtual standstill, and
countless baby seals were saved. But the hunters began to kill the
pups when they were slightly older - and the products from those
seals are legally traded in the EU. Today, some commercial seal
hunts are twice as large as they were when the EU first took action.

But there is new hope for the seals. The EU is considering ending
all seal product trade in the European Union, regardless of the age
of the seals. This move would save millions of seals from brutal
slaughter, and help put a final end to commercial seal hunting
globally.

Right now, the EU is asking people around the world to submit their
opinions on the historic proposal. Please take a few minutes today
to tell the European Union you fully support a ban on seal product
trade.

I’m lucky: I was able to visit a harp seal nursery in Canada’s Gulf
of St. Lawrence before the hunters descended. The sight of mothers
and their pups on the pristine ice is one I won’t forget, and I’ve
committed myself to working to preserve that wondrous spectacle for
generations to come.

Commercial seal hunting doesn’t simply cause unimaginable suffering
to the seals; it is also dehumanizing and often dangerous work,
contributing very little to the incomes of the hunters. A European
Union ban on all seal product trade would force nations where seal
huting has taken place to invest in real alternatives - jobs that
will provide safe and sustainable futures.

Lets work together to make a better life for seals and people. Say
no to the cruel trade in seal products in the European Union. It
doesn’t matter where you live - your voice counts. Please take
action to save the seals today.

The deadline for the European Union to hear your views is February
13.

Sincerely,

Paul McCartney

You can take the survey here:  http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=seals

Some of the questions may seem confusing.  If you would like additional information on some of the questions to help guide you through the process this can be found at http://www.bansealtrade.org. However, this should be seen as advice only: it is important that you give your own opinion and that you express your views in the way you feel most appropriate.

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