Hounslow’s MEP Robert Evans has rejected the European Commission’s proposal for a partial ban on the trade in seal products, saying they are "not worth the paper they are written on".
His frustration came after he called for the European Commission to take strong action and ban the trade in seal products across the EU at an animal rally last month.
Mr Evans has labelled the commission’s draft proposal a "poor effort" as it would allow companies, hunters and countries that provide a guarantee that hunting techniques are consistent with high animal-welfare standards to carry on hunting seals.
He said: "Only a total ban on the trade in seal products can be the answer."
"Most of these hunters are roughnecks who wouldn’t respond to regulations."
In total more than 900,000 seals are killed each year with an estimated one third of those passing through or ending up in the EU.
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