James Kilner

Russia said on Wednesday it had banned the hunting of baby seals, weeks after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called it a "bloody industry

MOSCOW, Russia; March 19, 2009.- "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 is a serious step to protect the biodiversity of the Russian Federation," the minister for natural resources, Yuri Trutnev, said in a statement.

Seals inhabit Russia's White Sea region in the Arctic. Hunters target the fluffy baby seals — also known as "whitecoats" for their highly valued snow-white fur — in early spring.

Canadian legislation bans the hunting of baby seals with white coats, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, a government department.

Protests urging a halt to hunting of baby seals took place in 20 cities and towns across Russia this week. On February 27, state-owned Rossiiskaya Gazeta quoted Putin as saying: "This is a bloody business and it's clear that it needs to be stopped." He said hunters should be compensated for lost earnings.

(Reuters)

Enlaces Relacionados

• NORWAY THREATENS ACTION IF EU BANS SEAL PRODUCTS
• EU NATIONS AGREE SEAL PRODUCT BAN, TRADE ROW LOOMS
• ACTIVISTS SAY CANADA’S SEAL HUNT TARGET EXCESSIVE
• PAMELA ANDERSON CAMPAIGNS FOR SEALS IN PARIS
• RUSSIA TRAINS SEALS FOR SUBMARINE DEFENCE - PAPER