Greenland defends record on seals

Greenland’s home rule government is defending its record on the humane and sustainable hunting of seals, saying Greenlandic hunters never kill seal pups.

“Let there be no doubt that in Greenland we use humane killing methods. There are provisions and requirements on hunting equipment in the hunting act and governmental orders, thereby ensuring that the hunting resources are utilized in a controlled way,” the Greenland government said in a statement.

The statement is intended to counter negative backlash from animal activists over the maritime seal hunt in Canada.

“In Greenland, it is difficult to see the connection between possible problems with the Canadian hunt of seal pups and the wishes to ban the import of sealskin and other seal products. In Greenland, the seal hunt is based on sustainability and therefore there is no reason at all for not buying fur coats made of sealskin or other seal products,” the statement said.