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SPECIALREPORThunting of seals which, in fact leads to the detriment of countries with small-scale hunting policies like for example the Nordic countries. In Sweden and Finland the hunting of seals is aimed at protecting the fish population which means that the proposed ban would create barriers for the hunting that is done since the rules does not make any distinctions between largeand small scale hunting.Roger HelmerThe EU has no competence in the treaties for the welfare or control of wild animals, and if it sought to act in this area it could create a dangerous precedent. The seals argument has been blown out of proportion by the animal rights lobby. There is a wealth of evidence that the seal cull is no less humane than the slaughter of cattle in an abattoir, despite the handful of “blood on the snow” video clips peddled by lobbyists. The trade is an important contributor to the livelihood of remote and relatively poor indigenous peoples. I oppose any new controls on seal products.Norway, and Russia are not depleted or endangered. Canadian government estimates suggest there are more than 5.5 million harp seals just off Canada’s shores. Sealing presents economic benefits to remote, coastal communities where employment opportunities are limited. Seal pelts are used for clothes and home furnishings and seal oil can help reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease. The governments of Canada, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Greenland already have strict regulations to ensure a humane hunt. Restrictions on seal products would hit some of the poorest members of society and negatively affect the marine ecosystem.Ryszard CzarneckiArlene McCarthyParliament’s, IMCO Committee has acted to protect animal welfare in response to an overwhelming public outcry over the cruel and inhumane treatment of animals. In 2006 a majority of MEPs signed a written declaration, one of only seven adopted that year, calling on the commission to immediately draft a regulation to ban the import, export and sale of seal products in the EU, noting that such a ban should not have an impact on traditional Inuit seal hunting, which represents a mere three per cent of the total hunt.In 2003, the Canadian government agreed to kill one million seal pups over three years. It was the biggest carnage of aquatic mammals, excluding natural catastrophes. The Ottawa government reduced the quota from 325,000 to about 290,000 within two years. However, it turned out that “only” 215,000 were killed – there were no more left. The commission must come out with an initiative banning imported seal products. The only question is whether the ban would be abided by 100 per cent or whether it would be contested by some member states. Undoubtedly, it would be better to have not a complete ban. It would take into account the respect of tradition, culture and societies all over the Arctic. It is not about our conscience but about moving towards the real and not a paper ban on the import of seal products.Struan StevensonMichl EbnerThis is the first legislative proposal which could indirectly impact hunting practices in the EU – which is strictly regulated under national legislation in six member states. The commission even explicitly refers to “hunting” when speaking about seal culling (slaughtering) in Canada. As president of the intergroup on sustainable hunting, I insist that the terminology is used correctly. The activities in Canada have nothing to do with traditional hunting practiced by the Inuit community and hunters in Europe. The products of traditional seal hunts in northern Europe are even financed by various EU projects, so it would be contradictory and discriminatory to ban seal products from outside the EU. It is crucial not to mix up the terms “hunting” and “culling” – or we will create highly negative impacts for the European hunt, industry, trade and job market.Peter Š?astnýThe proposed ban is not justifiable under current conditions. Seal populations in Canada, Sweden, Finland, Greenland,While an army of bureaucrats sit snugly behind their desks in Brussels planning the latest system of micro-management to plague the lives of Europe’s fishermen, there is an unspoken rule that no-one can mention the word ‘seal’. Fishermen can be told to limit their catches, restrict the days they spend at sea and reduce their engine size. But the doe-eyed seals, beloved by the public and ruthlessly exploited for their earning power by the animal welfare NGOs, are allowed to do as they please. Some 360,000 tonnes of fish are being eaten by the UK seal population annually and fishermen calculate the loss to their industry at almost £3bn. Why do we tolerate these mammoth commercial losses? Because it is politically incorrect to point out that they are ruthless and merciless killers with voracious appetites. While fishermen were told to limit the amount of North Sea cod and haddock they caught last year, seals were allowed happily to munch their way through several hundred thousand tonnes. It is preposterous and illogical. Now the parliament is debating a plan by commissioner Stavros Dimas to implement a total ban on seal fur products. The message is crystal clear. Fishermen are expendable. Seals apparently are not. 16 February 2009 PARLIAMENT MAGAZINE 39 Issue 282 16 February 2009Yes, we can “THE ELECTION OF BARACK OBAMA CREATES AN UNPRECENDENTED PSYCHOLOGICAL OPPORTUNITY TO RALLY MODERATE FORCES TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF BOTH TODAY AND TOMORROW”EU ambassador to the US John Bruton calls for a vigorous diplomatic partnership between Brussels and Wash The medicine her doctor prescribes should be the medicine she receives.The proliferation of counterfeit medicines poses a real and growing threat to patients around the world. Over a two month period in 2008 customs from the EU Member States seized more than 34 million * illegal medicines. * Brussel ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ????????????? ??????? Issue 282 16 February 2009NEWSANALYSIS 6 Eu and Us The EU-US relationship is heading in the right direction, argues John Bruton, but Brussels and Washington will have their work cut out in tackling the key problems facing the world today27 Real hope for seals MEPs should back an unconditional prohib CATHERINESTIHLEREDITORIAL TEAM Managing editor Brian Johnson Martin Banks Sarah Collins Martha Moss International Press Centre Boulevard Charlemagne 1 Box 2 Brussels 1041 Tel +32 (0)2 285 0828 newsdesk@theparliament. www.theparliament.com EDITORIAL BOARD Editor Catherine Stihler MEP Editorial board TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?????? NEWSANALYSIS“The US and the EU should take the lead in keeping the commitments taken by the G20 in November 2008 not to introduce protectionist measures. If we fail, we risk entering into a worldwide spiral of protectionism that can only hurt our economies further” and expect this to be reflected in Re .th ww e rl pagir steN: OW miamwLIMD ITEt. encoPES AC L/gamble ingventFAIR PLAY FOR GAMBLING DATE: Thursday 5th March LOCATION: European Parliament (Members Salon), Round Table with breakfast for delegates TIME: 08.00 09.30 FORMAT: Panel DebateOPENING UP THE EU’S MARKET IN GAMBLING AND SPORTS BET NEWSANALYSISBrand Europe? A .eu domain name provides more credibility and can give Europe’s firms a competitive edge, says Sirpa PietikäinenSome argue that European identity is a pipe dream. Some think that people and companies take root and develop primarily in a country and will always refer to it PROLIGEN PROLIGEN is an FP6 project that aims to enhance the endogenous regenerative capacity of injured kidneys based on information derived from genomics/ proteomics and functional genomics. The new genetic functions and the new cellular therapies that are discovered in the project will provide cl NEWSANALYSISEver closer union? Genowefa Grabowska explores the communications gap between the EU and its citizens – and how to bridge it“We are not seeking coalitions between states, we are uniting people,” said Jean Monnet. Though we all know that the European project cannot be taken forward withou IF THIS MAKES YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, IMAGINE HOW IT MAKES HER FEEL NEWSANALYSISDon’t net the sea anglers Struan Stevenson speaks out for recreational anglers, who he says are being targeted by Brussels bureaucracyIsuppose we shouldn’t be surprised that the European commission has published proposals to bring sea anglers under the stern control of Brussels and the c FISHERIES“There can be no justification for insisting on a plethora of new licenses, registers, log books and controls for fishermen who simply want to enjoy a day out” regulation stipulates that sea anglers will have to register their boats and log every fish they catch. EU member states will be fo ELECTION WATCHDevil in the detail16 PARLIAMENT MAGAZINE 16 February 2009 NEWSANALYSISUncertainty over the Lisbon treaty will make this year’s European elections more confusing than usual, says Andrew DuffThe European parliament is 30. It is set to enjoy a large increase in its powers if and when the Lisbon treaty comes into force. But, are people bothered? Eurobarometer CROATIAN NURSING TODAY C roatia is a country with a population of 4.4 million and with a social health insurance system. Since independence in 1990, Croatia went through changes to their political, economic and legal systems which have faced many challenges and difficulties. The health care system h NEWSANALYSISBeautiful south Croatia must work quickly if it is to meet its target of joining the EU by the end of the year, argues Joseph DaulThe European project was conceived on the hopes of peace, prosperity and the joining of forces towards a common goal. It was enlargement that contributed to p European Commission European Commission Enterprise and Industry Enterprise and Industry NEWSANALYSISWhat’s in a name? The name dispute with Greece is just one more brake on Macedonia’s accession, writes Erik Meijer, who fears that its candidate status could be long and protractedOn 21 January the European parliament’s foreign affairs committee (AFET) voted on my report on the progress EU EVENTSWomen in Business and Politics “Where are the women?” A panel debate at European Business Summit 2009 Date: Thursday 26 March Location: European Business Summit Tour Taxis, Brussels Format: Panel debate Time: 15.45-17.00 Debate topics: • The European Commission’s maternity proposals • NEWSANALYSISIce ageDBilyana Ilieva Raeva looks at the benefits of Iceland joining the EU in 2011uring the last six months relations between the EU and Iceland have undergone great changes, not institutionally or at an official level, but rather unofficially. It all started with the turmoil that was SPECIALREPORTAnimal welfare first An EU ban on seal products will have little impact on the commercial hunting of seals, writes Diana Wallis. What is needed is a clear labelling system that meets high animal welfare standardsLet’s be clear that we are currently dealing with a legislative proposal on TRADE IN SEAL FUR PRODUCTSFacts and misconceptionsE Dr Garry Stenson is head of the marine mammal section at the Canadian department of fisheries and oceansMisinformation about Canada’s seal hunt hides the fact that the annual cull is sustainable, well-managed and humane, writes Garry Stenson not di SPECIALREPORTReal hope for seals MEPs should back an unconditional prohibition on seal product trade and help put an end to the unacceptably cruel slaughter, argues Rebecca AldworthAs you read this, baby seals are being clubbed to death in Canada’s annual commercial seal slaughter, the largest kill DON’T LEAVE SOME SEALS OUT IN THE COLD© Bryan Cherry AlexanderD L O C E H T N I T U O S L A E S E M O S E V A E L T ’ N O DThe Inuit community of Pangnirtung, Nunavut,CanadaGIVE ALL SEAL HUNTS THE CHANCE TO LEARN FROM EU HUMANE PRACTICEThe International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF) and its Members u SPECIALREPORTSealing our future A ban on seal products will not address concerns regarding humane practices but will impose additional challenges to Inuit communities that can least afford to face them, argues Simon AwaThe European commission is proposing a ban on seals, or to be more precise, a ban No, we can’t stop the trade in cruelly obtained seal products with a labelling schemeYes, we can stop this trade with a full banA labelling scheme will NOT prevent products, made of inhumanely killed seals, from ending up on our EU market. A ban with a so-called ‘humane killing derogation’ is UNENFO SPECIALREPORTPracticalities and problems From a scientific viewpoint, the Canadian seal hunt is inhumane when compared to the standards adopted for farmed animals in Europe, reports Andy ButterworthCan commercial seal hunting be considered acceptably humane in comparison with standards required in E TRADE IN SEAL FUR PRODUCTSA threat to livelihoodsT Juliette Bailey is executive director of the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF)The EU has the opportunity to make a positive contribution to remote coastal communities by not implementing a trade ban on seal products, writes Juliette Bailey m Ill-informed EU decision could deprive citizens of leading health product “Propaganda can lead us in making uneducated decisions – depriving people of value in day to day living.” Chief Roy S. Jones, Jr. Hereditary Chief of the Raven Wolf of Tanu Haida Gwaii, BC Canada(Dec. 2008)“Seal oil is mostly SPECIALREPORTProgressive values An EU trade ban on seal products would simply reflect the progressive values and choices of the majority of EU citizens, argues David LavigneWhy should seals be treated differently from other sentient mammals? When this question was recently asked at a hearing on trad THE CRUEL ...and the savage slaughter of hundreds of thousands of seals will come to an end. MEPs and Member States must impose a ban with no exemptions for so-called “humane slaughter” – a condition which can neither be applied nor policed in practice.Stop the bloodshed now!www.fueldesign.beSign th SPECIALREPORTTo ban or not to ban? As the previous articles have shown, the issue of seal hunting is highly emotive. Here we print the edited highlights of MEPs’ comments on the commission’s proposals currently going through parliament Frieda Brepoels The commission’s proposal on trade in seal produ TRADE IN SEAL FUR PRODUCTSinto consideration when hunting. They often hunt alone and only one or two seals at a time. They hunt for several months instead of just a few weeks and they only hunt when the weather is good. For the Inuit people the seal hunt is about survival and jobs. And this is entir SPECIALREPORThunting of seals which, in fact leads to the detriment of countries with small-scale hunting policies like for example the Nordic countries. In Sweden and Finland the hunting of seals is aimed at protecting the fish population which means that the proposed ban would create barriers for First pilot plant for CO 2 capture and H 2 production integrated in operating IGCCELCOGAS IGCC CCSELCOGAS is building (finishing July 2009) an integrated pilot plant of industrial scale (14 MWth) to capture CO 2 ready for geological storage and to obtain H 2 together with electricity production. Ma A coal power plant in Kansas. Chris Davies is expecting Barack Obama’s administration to have come up with firm commitments to CCS development by the end of the yearINSIDEEUHorizons of changeTThe EU must act quickly in developing CCS technology if it is to meet its target of having 12 demonstration CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGEThe price of carbonL European ParliamentCarbon capture and storage can only offer too little, too late to a new green deal, argues Jill Evans savings, energy efficiency and renewable energy. Just to demonstrate that the technology can work, CCS advocates have already manage Aiming fora CO 2 -free futureFortum’s Meri-Pori CCS demonstration • locates in Finland, a country with no suitable ? nal storage options • transportation of CO 2 is based on shipping • large-scale retro? t project providing important experience when taking CCS system into use in countries with a lot Gassnova SF T he objective of Gassnova SF (Gassnova) is to manage the interests of the Norwegian state within CCS (carbon capture and storage). Gassnova is the State’s executing enterprise in the development and operation of facilities and infrastructures for planned CO 2 capture and storage solutio INSIDEEUThe burning question Oil and CO 2 MethaneCan CCS really help to reduce carbon emissions? Sarah Collins finds out ty Electrici Heat els Fossil FuAgroup of around 35 companies, think-tanks and national advisors from across Europe is currently embarking on an ambitious project to “recycle” the CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGERisk assessmentC Gyula Hegyi is a Socialist MEP and member of parliament’s environment committeeWith the technology still relatively new, Gyula Hegyi has his doubts about the use of carbon capture and storage “This is a very new technology and we still don’t know its advant ENEL and CCS T o allow sustainable use of coal for power generation Enel is leading the development of CCS technologies through a comprehensive research and demonstration program including The Porto Tolle post-combustion demo project that purpose suitable areas were already identified and preliminar EPAD THE EUROPEAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTORY 2009 Visit www.dodonline.co.uk/sho to order your copy, or contact nicole.vanoosterom@dods +44 (0)20 7091 7500One of the most comprehensive guides to names and addresses in Brussels, covering all the EU institutions, diplomatic and press corps, consultancies INSIDEEUThis could be Rotterdam Ger van Tongeren thinks Rotterdam is ideally placed to become a CCS hub for its neighboursThe Rotterdam Climate Initiative (RCI) was established in 2007 as a collaboration between the city, the port authority, the environmental protection agency and business organisat ??????? ?????????????? ?????????????? ??????? ??????? 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