Today (24th May) at 4pm Campaigners from the European Animal Welfare accompanied by
Labour Euro MEP Mark Watts are meeting with the Russian Ambassador to press for an
immediate end to the culling of 9 day old baby seals on the White Sea,Russia.
The meeting will take place at the Russian Embassy: 13 Kensington Palace Gndns.

This cull has been taking place for many years: Figures obtained by EAW for the period
from 1991 to 2001 of the numbers taken are as follows:

1991: 30,500 1992: 18,183 1993: 19.925 1994: 30,500 1995: 30,500

1996: 31,300 1997: 31,380 1998: 13,000 1999: 30,000 2000: 38,302

2001: 39,106

The Russian authorities are unwilling to disclose the official statistics for the
years 2002,2003 and this years cull. The culls take place during the March/April
period.

REMEMBER: THESE ARE NINE DAY OLD BABYSEALS-PRIZED FOR THEIR PARTICULAR TYPE OF FUR.


A report on the outcome of the meeting will be posted asap.

In the meantime,please remember that it's not just the Canadian's who are culling
seals for their fur.