Wal-Mart Tied to Whaling in Japan
April 2004
A relationship between Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, and Japan's brutal drive fisheries and whaling industries has been exposed. Wal-Mart currently owns 37% of the Seiyu Supermarket chain in Japan, with an option to increase their ownership to 66% by 2007. Seiyu supermarkets are a major distributor of cetacean products, including the meat of dolphins, porpoises and whales. As a large stakeholder, Wal-Mart has the influence to pressure Seiyu into discontinuing the sale of marine mammal products.
Japan does not regulate the sale of whale and dolphin meat in stores, which means that meat from rare and endangered species could potentially be sold among that of legally hunted species. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) analyzed DNA from samples of whale meat sold in Japanese supermarkets and found that meat from whales was not always properly labeled. Dolphin and porpoise meat was found in packages labeled "whale" and meat from whales illegally hunted in the Antarctica and other rare species were discovered.
Whales suffer unimaginable and often prolonged deaths when struck by grenade-bearing harpoons from whaling ships and thousands of dolphins are forced into the shallows and butchered annually as part of Japan's drive fisheries. These brutal facts are the basis upon which an international ban on commercial whaling was passed and people across the globe continue to decry Japan's treatment and exploitation of marine mammals.
There are also valid concerns about the consumption of cetacean products. Studies have found extremely high levels of mercury and other neuro-toxins in whale meat that could cause permanent damage to the human nervous system. Inadequate government oversight and public health information means that most Japanese people have no idea of the risks they are taking when they eat cetacean products.
Through their business relationship with Seiyu, Wal-Mart has become, knowingly or not, a supporter of the whaling and drive fisheries industries in Japan. Wal-Mart is a silent accomplice in the cruel slaughter of thousands of whales and dolphins each year.
Please take a few moments to send a letter to the CEO and President of Wal-Mart. Politely urge him to use Wal-Mart's power to stop the sale of whale, dolphin and porpoise meat in all stores owned and operated by Seiyu, Ltd. Remind him that as long as Wal-Mart is associated with Seiyu and Seiyu continues to sell these products, Wal-Mart will be seen as a participant in the slaughter of these sentient marine mammals.
Send your letter to:
Mr. H. Lee Scott
President and CEO
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
702 SW Eighth Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716
Fax: 479-204-9798
Please send a copy to:
Ms. Mona Williams
Vice President of Communications
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
702 SW 8th Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716
Fax: 479-204-9798
After you have sent your letter, please visit www.care2.com/go/z/12559 to sign the online petition asking Wal-Mart to sever its ties with the Japanese whaling industry.
April 2004
A relationship between Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, and Japan's brutal drive fisheries and whaling industries has been exposed. Wal-Mart currently owns 37% of the Seiyu Supermarket chain in Japan, with an option to increase their ownership to 66% by 2007. Seiyu supermarkets are a major distributor of cetacean products, including the meat of dolphins, porpoises and whales. As a large stakeholder, Wal-Mart has the influence to pressure Seiyu into discontinuing the sale of marine mammal products.
Japan does not regulate the sale of whale and dolphin meat in stores, which means that meat from rare and endangered species could potentially be sold among that of legally hunted species. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) analyzed DNA from samples of whale meat sold in Japanese supermarkets and found that meat from whales was not always properly labeled. Dolphin and porpoise meat was found in packages labeled "whale" and meat from whales illegally hunted in the Antarctica and other rare species were discovered.
Whales suffer unimaginable and often prolonged deaths when struck by grenade-bearing harpoons from whaling ships and thousands of dolphins are forced into the shallows and butchered annually as part of Japan's drive fisheries. These brutal facts are the basis upon which an international ban on commercial whaling was passed and people across the globe continue to decry Japan's treatment and exploitation of marine mammals.
There are also valid concerns about the consumption of cetacean products. Studies have found extremely high levels of mercury and other neuro-toxins in whale meat that could cause permanent damage to the human nervous system. Inadequate government oversight and public health information means that most Japanese people have no idea of the risks they are taking when they eat cetacean products.
Through their business relationship with Seiyu, Wal-Mart has become, knowingly or not, a supporter of the whaling and drive fisheries industries in Japan. Wal-Mart is a silent accomplice in the cruel slaughter of thousands of whales and dolphins each year.
Please take a few moments to send a letter to the CEO and President of Wal-Mart. Politely urge him to use Wal-Mart's power to stop the sale of whale, dolphin and porpoise meat in all stores owned and operated by Seiyu, Ltd. Remind him that as long as Wal-Mart is associated with Seiyu and Seiyu continues to sell these products, Wal-Mart will be seen as a participant in the slaughter of these sentient marine mammals.
Send your letter to:
Mr. H. Lee Scott
President and CEO
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
702 SW Eighth Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716
Fax: 479-204-9798
Please send a copy to:
Ms. Mona Williams
Vice President of Communications
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
702 SW 8th Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716
Fax: 479-204-9798
After you have sent your letter, please visit www.care2.com/go/z/12559 to sign the online petition asking Wal-Mart to sever its ties with the Japanese whaling industry.
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Salt Lake City
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