§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to(a) his Canadian counterpart and (b) the Canadian Government in respect of the use of independent monitoring of seal culls. [185669]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI spoke to the Canadian High Commissioner in April about the seal cull in Canada. I encouraged the Canadian Government in an adjournment debate on seal hunting to ensure that their monitoring regulations are implemented in practice and do not just lie on the statute book—Official Report, columns 219WH to 222WH. On both occasions, I also made clear this Government's view that we do not accept the need for any seal cull, but if one does take place it should be sustainable and based on a precautionary principle. The Canadian Government monitors the operation of their seal culling regulations.