PETA's New Campaign Targets Canadian Maple Syrup

In what is sure to be a controversial campaign, the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is taking aim at the Canadian maple syrup industry to increase pressure on the Canadian Government to abolish the seal hunt.

The PETA campaign maintains that "You can help end Canada's annual war on seals by boycotting a product that is vital to the country's economy: maple syrup...by buying this Canadian product, you are supporting Canadian cruelty. By pledging to boycott Canadian maple syrup, you'll be speaking up for baby seals in Canada, for whom life isn't so sweet, and telling Canada that you won't support its product until you can support its practices." According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the maple syrup industry in Canada produce about 85% of the world's maple syrup and exports it to almost 45 different nations. It produces about 40,600 tonnes with a value of over $213 million. The campaign does not make clear whether there is, or ever has been, a connection between seal hunters, in Canada mostly based in the maritime provinces, and the producers of maple syrup, the majority of which comes from Quebec. In response to the PETA campaign, Simon Trepanier, the vice-director of the Quebec federation of maple service producers noted that "maple syrup producers work with the environment, with trees and nature." He added that "it's kind of weird that they are associating maple syrup with hunting." PETA, along with other animal protection and rights organizations, has long rallied against the Canadian seal hunt. Recently the organization has also taken aim at the 2010 Vancouver-Whistler Winter Olympic Games, calling on the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee to use its influence to help stop the Canadian hunt. PETA describes the seal hunt as an "annual seal massacre, hundreds of thousands of baby seals are shot or have their skulls crushed, all for the sake of 'fashion.' Sealers routinely hook seals in the eye, cheek, or mouth to avoid damaging the pelt, then drag the seals across the ice, in many cases without checking to ensure that they are unconscious." Earlier this week a widespread public debate was initiated after Governor-General, Michaëlle Jean ate part of a skinned seal on an official visit to Northern Canada. In response, Bruce Friedrich of PETA said that the "Canadian Governor-General's sick PR stunt is a predictable, if revolting, attempt to save a dying industry.” However, the response to Jean's actions has not been entirely negative. National Inuit leader, Mary Simon, maintained that to Inuits “this kind gesture is an acknowledgment by the Governor-General of our culture and our dependence upon our wildlife as an important resource for our communities today." Labrador Liberal MP Todd Russell added that "I think [Jean] showed a lot of class and she showed a lot of empathy." Despite pressure from various groups and the European Union the Canadian Government has so far resisted bringing an end to the Canadian seal hunt.