Following on from the posting yesterday (24th) concerning the meeting with the Russian
Ambassador to discuss the situ re the culling of 9 day old Babyseals on the White Sea
Russia.

Press release: 25 May 2004. by Mark F. Watts- Labour MEP.

Local labour Euro MEP Mark Watts invited Folkestone campaigner Robert Mouland to the
Russian Embassy in London to meet with the Russian Ambassador Mr Grigory Karasin,
yesterday 24 May.

Mr Watts organized the meeting to help campaign to end the annual slaughter of baby
seal pups on the White Sea in Russia,led by Folkestone based European Animal Welfare
of which Mr Mouland is the founder.

Mark Watts said:
"I asked the Ambassador to put pressure on his Government to cease the annual slaughter
in which thousands of 9 day old baby seal pups are clubbed to death in the Archangel
region,in the most barbaric way imaginable."
"The Ambassador spent an hour with us and listened carefully to our point of view and
suggestions as to how alternative means of employment could be found for the coast
dwellers who presently slaughter the bayby seals for profit.He promised a regular
dialogue and exchange of information and invited us to visit the area in Russia where
the hunt takes place."
"Ambassador Karasin noted the great improvement in animal welfare issues thanks to the
European Union,and understood the concerns of European Animal Welfare. He was sure
that a solution to the problem could be found,in time."

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Posters note:
I certainly hope that 'in time' will be very soon rather than more delaying tactics

See the posting for the 24th for the stats of the numbers killed between 1991 and 2001.

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