Nouveau Comité pro chasse aux phoques....

[Animal 0]

Notice that the opposition is in the process of creating a website
www.sealsandsealing.net)


Fur Institute of Canada Announces New Sealing Committee

(October 13, 2006) Fur Institute of Canada Chairman Bruce Williams recently
announced the formation of a new Sealing Committee that will act as a
network for seal-related issues and work with stakeholders to provide
balanced stories on Conservation/ Marine Management, Animal Welfare,
Socio-Economics and Human Health.

"Graphic, emotional campaigns by anti-animal use groups are grossly
misinforming," stated Mr. Williams. "Their philosophy that wildlife
conservation can only be achieved through non-use has had detrimental
impacts on the real conservationists - those Aboriginal and coastal
communities that approach sealing in an environmentally friendly way through
sustainable use, respectful killing techniques and full utilization of the
animals taken."

Largely influenced by these animal-rights campaigns, some European countries
are considering new import bans on seal products. At the same time, these
countries claim to subscribe to the sustainable use values of the IUCN
(World Conservation Union) and are Parties to the Convention on Biological
Diversity committed to the conservation, sustainable use and sharing the
benefits derived from renewable resources.

More and more, sealing is respected as a renewable resource industry,
providing excellent natural products - pelts for clothing, meat for human
and animal consumption, and seal oil rich in Omega-3 fatty acid that has
become popular in recent years as a supplement with a broad range of health
benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease.

"The goal of our new Sealing Committee is to create a better understanding
of this renewable resource industry," stated Institute Executive Director
Rob Cahill. "We are in the process of building a website
(www.sealsandsealing.net), that will provide a venue where a broad network
of people can share the real stories, with legislators, the media and the
general public, world-wide."

The Fur Institute of Canada, a national non-profit organization based in
Ottawa, was established in 1983 on the initiative of the Federal, Provincial
and Territorial Wildlife Ministers. Its overall mission is to promote the
sustainable and wise use of Canada's fur resources. The FIC can be found
online at www.fur.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Robert B. Cahill, Executive Director, Fur Institute of Canada
130 Slater Street, Suite 605, Ottawa Ontario K1P 6E2
(613) 231-7099 x 226