Considering how cows and other animals are slaughtered, it doesn't sound much worse. The "hakapik" sounds especially brutal, no doubt, but otherwise it hardly sounds much different than the large scale methods used in the slaughterhouse factories. For me it's easy to understand anyone who is against all of this and is a vegetarian. It's more difficult to see how slaughtering and eating seals is significantly different than the other animals or fish, for that matter. If the issue was surrounding dwindling populations, that would be entirely different but the issue is about the brutality of the kills.
Then again, serving seal could very well be like serving whale meat in Japan. Nobody really wants it and some are pushing it to prop up tradition for the sake of tradition. If that's the case then yes, it's a ridiculous stunt. Indigenous populations should be able to continue traditions (within reason) but if there's limited value for the outside community, is it really necessary? Any Canadians out there with more feedback on the issue?
Canadian MPs will be served seal meat this week in support of hunters fighting an EU ban on products from the animals.
A Liberal MP, Celine Hervieux-Payette, said Wednesday's seal meat menu in the parliamentary restaurant would allow politicians to show their backing for the annual hunt.
"All political parties will have the opportunity to demonstrate to the international community the solidarity of the Canadian parliament behind those who earn a living from the seal hunt," she said.
The EU ban on seal imports was imposed last July on the grounds that Canada's annual hunt was cruel.
