I HAVE recently been inundated with letters and emails from constituents concerned about the brutal commercial seal hunt in Canada.

I am pleased to say we are now a significant step closer to a total ban on the import of seal products into Europe.

In April, MEPs will have the opportunity to vote for a total ban and I fully intend to support this important measure.

Pressure from the public and MEPs forced the European Commission to recognise the concerns of millions of people from across Europe.

However, their proposal of a partial ban was unsatisfactory and my colleagues on the committee responsible for shaping legislation voted in favour of a total ban.

The overwhelming majority of people from Exeter want to see helpless animals protected from unnecessary suffering and I will act to defend the welfare of innocent creatures.

Glyn Ford

Labour MEP for South West of England

(by email)