Undercurrent News reported (9 December 2015):
The Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is coming under hostile fire for "sanctioning the slaughter of seals" at salmon farms across Scotland, claimed the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture (GAAIA).
On Dec. 10 a petition calling for a cease-fire on salmon farms certified by the RSPCA will be delivered to the organization's head office in Horsham, West Sussex.
Campaigners are calling for a boycott of all Scottish farmed salmon, over 70% of which is certified via the RSPCA Assured scheme, which GAAIA says condones the killing of seals.
Supermarkets selling "seal-unfriendly" salmon will continue to be targeted by protestors dressed as seals, including a demo outside Marks and Spencer and Selfridges on Oxford/Orchard Street in Central London, on Dec. 9.
A letter addressed to the Queen of England, as royal patron of the RSPCA, will also be delivered to Buckingham Palace.
"Over 2,700 people have already signed my petition calling for an end to the killing of seals on RSPCA-certified salmon farms," said Katie Nethercoat, who launched an online petition in October after an expose on ITV News.
"Shame on the RSPCA for sanctioning the slaughter of seals in Scotland. An opinion poll by Metro in October 2015 reported that 87% of people are opposed to the killing of seals on salmon farms."
"The RSPCA could give seals the perfect Christmas present – they could give them the gift of life by banning seal shooting at RSPCA assured salmon farms," said John Robins of Animal Concern. "RSPCA chiefs have to decide who they represent; seal-shooting multinationals or the animals they persecute."
"The RSPCA have blood on their hands for certifying seal-killing salmon farms as 'welfare friendly'," said Don Staniford, director of GAAIA. "The next time you're in a supermarket and see the 'RSPCA Assured' logo on a packet of salmon please give it the seal of disapproval. Until the RSPCA pledges to stop the slaughter the only sure-fire way of protecting seals is to boycott all Scottish salmon."
As well as writing to the Queen, GAAIA also copied the letter to vice-presidents of the RSPCA -- including Brian Blessed, Chris Packham, Brian May, Bill Oddie and Dr. Caroline Lucas MP -- asking them to support a seal cease-fire on salmon farms.
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