Press Releases

North American business takes a stand against cruel seal hunt

New York, NY - March 16, 2009 – With Canada’s controversial seal slaughter about to resume, LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, in conjunction with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, are launching a hard-hitting campaign to protect these important marine animals. On March 18th at noon, a LUSH employee will strip down to virtually nothing, paint herself red and lie on a bloody Canadian flag outside a LUSH store in Toronto, Canada, to symbolize the thousands of seals that will be killed and skinned during this year’s hunt.

LUSH has created a new bubble bar in the shape of a baby seal especially for the campaign. Called ‘First Swim’ because many baby seals are slaughtered so young they haven’t even had a chance to go into the water, 100 percent of the proceeds of the bubble bar are going to Sea Shepherd who directly intervene on the high seas to stop sealers from killing baby harp seals.

Dominating the window of LUSH’s North American stores will be a giant picture of a seal with the words ‘End Canada’s License to Kill’ splattered in red paint. LUSH shop staff will be giving customers information about the plight of seals and urging them to put pressure on the government by signing postcards that LUSH will be sending directly to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Why is a soap shop taking on the seal hunt? The annual seal slaughter continues to be Canada’s national shame - seal pups, some as young as 12 days old are clubbed to death or shot, usually for their fur. Seal hunters move fast, killing as many animals as possible in a short amount of time, and independent veterinarians say that approximately 42 percent of the seals are still conscious when they are being skinned.

A global movement against Canada’s seal hunt is reaching a tipping point. Already America, Belgium and the Netherlands have complete bans on the importation of Canadian seal products, and in April, the European Union is set to pass a similar piece of legislation. LUSH is passionate about making the world a better place and is happy to lend its resources to the cause. With over 600 shops worldwide LUSH is in a unique position to bring about change for animals, people and the planet.

“As a business that cares about animals and the environment, we are ashamed that the blood continues to flow on the ice of Eastern Canada,” said Mark Wolverton, North American CEO of LUSH Cosmetics. “Clubbing and shooting baby seals for their fur is cruel to animals, plain and simple, and LUSH Cosmetics wants to see it stopped.”

Sea Shepherd’s Captain Paul Watson adds, “We are extremely grateful to LUSH for their efforts to bring this issue into the spotlight. After witnessing the cruel slaughter of seals first hand and devoting most of my life to bringing it to an end, I am hopeful that the increased public awareness through the LUSH campaign for the seals will aid the efforts by those of us working to stop this barbaric practice once and for all.”

For images or additional information about the campaign, please contact the LUSH Press Office or visit www.lushusa.com and www.seashepherd.org. A photo of the Toronto demonstration will also be available on the picture wire of The Associated Press.

Notes to Editor:

• Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an International non-profit conservation organization whose mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations. Founder and President Captain Paul Watson, is a renowned, respected leader in environmental issues. Visit www.seashepherd.org for more information.
• Established 14 years ago, LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics has been driven by innovation and its ethics. Creators of pioneering beauty products such as the fizzing bath bombs, bubble bars, shower jellies, solid body butters and solid shampoo bars, LUSH places emphasis on fresh ingredients like organic fruits and vegetables and the finest essential oils. LUSH operates a strict policy against animal testing, supports Fair Trade and Community Trade initiatives, and leads the cosmetics industry in combating over-packaging by running public awareness campaigns and developing products that can be sold ‘naked’ to the consumer. LUSH products are 100% vegetarian, 74% vegan, 65% preservative-free and 60% free of wasteful packaging with absolutely no animal testing being done on LUSH products or ingredients. These ethics are at the heart of the brand and will remain there with every new shop that opens globally. LUSH has 145 locations in North America with over 600 worldwide in over 40 countries. Visit www.lushusa.com for more information.
• LUSH and Sea Shepherd are trying to stop the commercial hunt that saw 275,000 seals slaughtered and left to rot on the ice in 2008. The commercial seal slaughter is very different from Inuit sustenance hunters who live in remote parts of Canada and hunt the occasional seal to feed their family.