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Opposition urges premier to head to Germany to plead the
sealers case March 1, 2007
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George Sweeney, MHA for the District of Carbonear-Harbour Grace, says the
premier must take the opportunity while he is in Europe on a business trip
to go to Germany and express solid support for Newfoundland and Labrador
sealers and their industry. Germany's agriculture minister, Horst Seehofer has expressed concern over seal imports and is proposing legislation to ban seal products. The intended legislation and ban comes just as the traditional seal fishery is set to get underway. "Now that the premier is in the proximity of Germany, he should present the argument for our sealers' cause", said Mr. Sweeney. "It is important to dispel the myths associated with this industry and argue our case with the German government and Mr. Seehofer. "There's not a minute to waste on the seal hunt issue. Countries that take our seal products are our biggest trading partners. Germany is not big in the trade equation, but looms large in the anti_protest front in Europe. The premier should be speaking at this time to at least enlist Germany's willingness to listen to our side of the argument. A ban on seal products in Germany, regardless of the size of the market, will be the start of other countries also banning seal products. If that happens, then activist groups will be able to raise more money in their efforts to banish the hunt. A little effort on the premier's part is needed to head this off now. "I call on the premier to go to Germany as soon as he leaves the Ireland trade mission. He should not miss this opportunity to argue the case for continuing the seal hunt in Newfoundland and Labrador." |
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