On Monday, December 19, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) announced that Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan had notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of their intent to ban both the import and export of harp seal fur.

They now join the European Union, which has already enacted a similar ban. With Russia previously occupying 90% of the Canadian seal export market, IFAW seal program director Sheryl Fink noted that this virtually eliminates such trade.

Our heartfelt accolades, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan for your humane decision. May many more governments be similarly motivated to halt such cruel practices and instead offer compassion in honoring the sanctity of life for all animal co-inhabitants.

http://www.ecorazzi.com/2011/12/19/russias-ban-on-harp-seal-skin-imports-a-big-hit-to-canadian-seal-hunt/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/russian-ban-spells-the-end-of-canadian-sealing-activists-say/article2276572/?from=sec368
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/12/20/nl-russian-sealing-1220.html