Costco Decides to Help the Seals with Urging From Sea Shepherd

[Omaha Steve]

Costco Decides to Help the Seals with Urging From Sea Shepherd

After discussions with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Costco has decided to remove seal oil capsules from the shelves of all of their Canadian stores.

By removing this vile product, Costco has sent a message that they will not participate in the promotion of products obtained through the world’s largest slaughter of marine wildlife: the annual Canadian seal hunt where more than 325,000 seal pups between the ages of 2 weeks to 3 months are killed each year.

Canada has spent millions of dollars searching for and creating new products and markets for seals. Some of these products have been perverse and some have been ridiculous. Most have been impractical and all have involved the inflicting of incredible cruelty and death to hundreds of thousands of young seal pups every year.



snip

Costco inadvertently provided some credibility to this product by stocking the shelves of their Eastern Canadian outlets with Omega-3 baby seal oil capsules. But, thanks to the efforts of Sea Shepherd volunteer Stephen Thompson of Vancouver, they have removed this product and will not offer it again. He has been tirelessly tracking and opposing the baby seal oil capsule market in Canada.



http://www.seashepherd.org/news/media_060330_1.html

[Kagemusha]

1. I recognize this language from talking about Japan/ whales...

If anyone actually knows, I'd like to know how "Canada" has spent millions of dollars searching for and creating new products and markets for seals. I'm serious - I'd really like to know exactly what kind of funding this refers to. I let the Japan example pass because I had no idea how that government works. I know more about the Canadian government and would really like to know how the hell "millions" got spent on corporate R&D, if that claim is correct.

[Omaha Steve]

12. A friend looking for the info found this to start!

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE
STANDING COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES AND OCEANS’ SEAL REPORT
NOVEMBER 1999

Recommendation 6

The Committee recommends that Canada, through the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, must immediately commit itself to the goal of removing trade barriers within the MMPA whereby Canadian seal products are prevented from entering the United States. Canada must make strong submissions in the Committee hearing process about to be held in the U.S. Congress. In addition, Canada must seriously consider seeking a review under GATT of the prohibition on the importation of Canadian seal products into the United States.

The Committee also recommends that the Government of Canada undertake an immediate examination of the U.S. MMPA to ensure that it complies with the provisions of both the WTO and NAFTA with respect to Canadian seal products. If the investigation concludes that the MMPA does violate either or both of the trade agreements, the Committee recommends that immediate trade action be commenced. If the MMPA is found not to contravene either the WTO or the NAFTA, the federal government should immediately commence discussions with the United States to determine the best means by which Canadian seal products may gain access to the U.S. market place.

Government Response

The Government has worked to ensure that Canada's longstanding concerns about key provisions of the MMPA are well known to the U.S. Government. In April this year, Canada's then Minister of Fisheries and Oceans raised the issue with a key U.S. Senator during a visit to Washington. Canadian officials have communicated Canada’s concerns to the U.S. Administration, and intend to take advantage of the current MMPA re-authorization process in the U.S. Congress to reiterate Canada's position. Moreover, Canadian officials will continue to provide key Canadian stakeholders with information on the MMPA re-authorization process, and to provide these stakeholders with advice on the best way to make their voice heard in the U.S.. Canadian officials are also consulting with the governments of like-minded countries on possibilities for a coordinated effort.

A U.S. Congressional Research Service report of April 6, 1999, acknowledges that because the MMPA prohibits trade in marine mammal products regardless of species’ conservation status, it appears to be inconsistent with U.S. obligations under international trade agreements. Nevertheless, the vast majority of the American public believe that the MMPA provides valuable protection to marine mammals. Any attempt to "harmonize" the MMPA with U.S. international obligations will likely be seen by many Americans as an attempt to weaken it and could be met by strong opposition.

As for the issue of GATT/WTO and NAFTA consistency, Canada raised questions about the MMPA with the U.S. authorities in July in the context of the WTO Trade Policy Review of the United States (an overall examination of U.S. trade policies by WTO Members).

Canada expressed its concerns about the MMPA, and formally asked what action the U.S. Government is contemplating to bring the MMPA into conformity with U.S. international obligations. Canadian officials continue to seek a response. Canada will continue to pursue this issue with the U.S., and is considering all options to address it, including recourse to dispute settlement.

In the short term, Canada has begun to discuss with U.S. authorities ways to smooth temporary non-commercial transfer across the border of items from aboriginal communities for cultural or educational purposes, which the MMPA allows for under limited circumstances.

[Omaha Steve]

14. Here is a Canadian Government report on your question add it ALL up!!!!

Client Name / Project Description Project Location Total Government Funding Public Access Date

Admiral Fish Farms Ltd.
Develop Site #292 Seal Cove SEAL COVE $321,000 1996-07-29

Atlantic Marine Products Inc.
establish a seal processing facility CATALINA $401,240 1998-05-25

Atlantic Marine Products Inc.
explore export opportunities for dressed seal skins CATALINA $65,417 2000-06-02

Benson Aquaculture Ltd.
Establish salmon aquaculture site in Seal Cove Bay SEAL COVE $399,500 1999-07-09

Broad Cove Specialties Ltd.
Design a resealable pouch and carry out marketing activities PORTUGAL COVE $23,508 2001-11-13

Caboto Seafoods Limited
marketing development of fully utilized seal products BAIE VERTE $39,258 2001-01-22

Carino Company Limited
expand an existing seal processing facility DIVISION NO. 1 SUBD. E $180,000 1997-07-22

Carino Company Limited
conduct a pilot project on value added seal skin processing DIVISION NO. 1 SUBD. E $57,245 2000-10-21

Carino Company Limited
study changing seal oil refinery for food processing DIVISION NO. 1 SUBD. E $4,704 2001-02-17

Gateway Maritime Inc. & Canomega Industries Inc.
research and develop seal oil products BRIGUS $144,842 1999-04-09

Grey Seal Research and Development Society
Commercial seal marketing product development and research YARMOUTH $132,000 2005-09-12

Highland Fisheries Limited
purchase an automatic bag sealing machine GLACE BAY $10,000 1996-03-30

Indian Bay Processors Inc.
Establish a facility to process seal meat CENTREVILLE $134,000 2004-08-15

JULIUS PATKAI
Goldenseal 2000 (PA-PED) MONTAGUE $2,765 2001-01-15

Maritime Fine Foods Limited
Acquire new packaging machine and tray sealer DARTMOUTH $97,500 2001-08-05

Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
provide evidence of health benefits of seal oil ST. JOHN'S $64,888 2000-11-18

Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
study the effects of feeding seal oil to laying hens ST. JOHN'S $25,600 2001-01-28

North Atlantic Biopharma Inc.
Develop a seal oil pharmaceutical product ST. JOHN'S $266,350 2004-02-20

Ross Island Salmon Co. Ltd.
Purchase & Install 3 cages; seal scare; skow GRAND MANAN $77,000 1996-07-14

Seal Industry Development Council
establish a development association for the sealing industry ST. JOHN'S $136,500 1998-06-23

Seal Industry Development Council
carry out promotional activities for seal fur/leather ST. JOHN'S $41,865 1999-01-09

Seal Industry Development Council
continue to maximize the potential of the seal industry ST. JOHN'S $189,000 2000-09-10

Seal Island East Side Preservation Society
Construct new slipway for boat landings on Seal Island CLARK'S HARBOUR $36,000 2001-08-10

Sunrise Foods Incorporated
purchase a form fill and seal machine DARTMOUTH $44,750 1997-08-25


Waye's Fine Foods Ltd.
purchase equipment to process seal meat sausages POUCH COVE $54,326 1997-06-08


Date Modified: 2004 08 24 Important Notices
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THNAK YOU Melanie for finding this.

[flvegan]

15. OH! But that's got to hurt...

Nice find. Thanks also from me and mine to Melanie...

[medeak]

2. Gawd love Costco....ethical treatment of employees and animals n/t

[gauguin57]

3. I'm a new Costco member ... and I LOVE IT!

My savings on Costco's economy sizes of Pantene shampoo and conditioner ALONE will earn me back my membership fee this year!

And I feel good shopping there.

[Coventina]

4. Hooray for Costco!

I want to be a member, just not feasible for me right now, though.

[customerserviceguy]

5. Yeah

It takes a long time to go through that 55 gallon drum of salsa!

[Hawkeye-X]

6. ROFL

I love Costco. We spend maybe $5,000 a year there. Worth every dime too. I'm also training my wife to avoid Walmart and Sam's Club like the plague.. she's doing better!

[The Stranger]

7. Kicked and recommended.

[Ignis]

8. Buy Blue!

This was a great act on Costco's part, and it prompts me to go shopping there this weekend. :)

[WhiteTara]

9. Steven Thompson is another Hero

and thanks to him, Costco saw the error of their ways and stopped their bad policy. See this is how it's done. If only we lived in a blue and sane society.

[Omaha Steve]

10. Williams takes aim at Costco over seal oil fuss

Williams takes aim at Costco over seal oil fuss
Last updated Mar 31 2006 07:13 PM NST
CBC News
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams encouraged people in his province to consider boycotting Costco, in light of the big-box retailer's decision to stop carrying seal oil capsules.

Costco no longer sells seal oil capsules at its store in St. John's, but company officials will not say when the product was removed from shelves or why.

Danny Williams
In a news release, the Sea Shepherd Society, a prominent opponent of the hunt, applauded Costco for heeding anti-sealing advocates.

Costco officials would not agree to repeated interview requests from CBC News.

Williams issued a statement late Friday afternoon saying he was "extremely disappointed" that Costco removed seal oil capsules from its lone store in St. John's.

"I find it incredible that an international company of Costco's reputation would make such a serious decision without giving us the courtesy of hearing our views, or those of the industry," Williams said.

"The premier encourages shoppers to seriously consider whether they will support a company that does not support Newfoundland and Labrador," a statement from Williams' office said.


Danny Williams

Full story: http://www.cbc.ca/nl/story/nf_costco_williams_20060331.html

[brentspeak]

11. Greedy Wall St. execs CRITICIZE Costco for paying employees well

Check this out:

But Costco's kind-hearted philosophy toward its 100,000 cashiers, shelf-stockers and other workers is drawing criticism from Wall Street. Some analysts and investors contend that the Issaquah, Wash., warehouse-club operator actually is too good to employees, with Costco shareholders suffering as a result.

"From the perspective of investors, Costco's benefits are overly generous," says Bill Dreher, retailing analyst with Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. "Public companies need to care for shareholders first. Costco runs its business like it is a private company."

http://reclaimdemocracy.org/articles_2004/costco_employee_benefits_walmart.html

No, idiot -- Costco is running its business like its a business. You know, like one that has customers, and products to sell, and employees who serve the customers and maintain the stores? Or is that too difficult for you to understand?

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

13. Costco has always been GOOD overall--don't confuse them with Wall mart

Cooooool --
Guess they helped adjust the supply side economics which helps limit the demand which helps the seals!!

Bravo!