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Williams takes aim at Costco over seal-oil fuss
Last Updated Fri, 31 Mar 2006 23:33:55 EST
CBC News
Premier Danny Williams encouraged people in Newfoundland and Labrador 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.
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 only 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's office said.
Fish processor Bill Barry, whose Barry Group of Companies produced the capsules sold to Costco, confirmed his company's products had been removed from shelves.
Barry said if the company pulled the product because of pressure from animal rights groups, it should have first obtained more information.
Barry blamed "propaganda, lies and distortion" for creating confusion in the marketplace.
"I would only encourage these corporations that decide to take action against Canadian seafood or Canadian items in any way [to] really take time to get out and get the facts," said Barry.
Complaints about Costco flooded open-line shows in St. John's on Friday, with some customers saying they were ripping up their membership cards.
Federal Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn said he wants to meet with Costco management.
Hearn, who represents the riding of St. John's South-Mount Pearl, said he understood why Newfoundlanders would be tempted to turn their backs on the company.
"If it gets to the point where they say, 'Well, we don't care, we're going to stick with the Pamela Andersons,' well, there are other places to shop rather than Costco," Hearn said, referring to the celebrity animal-rights advocate.
Last Updated Fri, 31 Mar 2006 23:33:55 EST
CBC News
Premier Danny Williams encouraged people in Newfoundland and Labrador 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.
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 only 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's office said.
Fish processor Bill Barry, whose Barry Group of Companies produced the capsules sold to Costco, confirmed his company's products had been removed from shelves.
Barry said if the company pulled the product because of pressure from animal rights groups, it should have first obtained more information.
Barry blamed "propaganda, lies and distortion" for creating confusion in the marketplace.
"I would only encourage these corporations that decide to take action against Canadian seafood or Canadian items in any way [to] really take time to get out and get the facts," said Barry.
Complaints about Costco flooded open-line shows in St. John's on Friday, with some customers saying they were ripping up their membership cards.
Federal Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn said he wants to meet with Costco management.
Hearn, who represents the riding of St. John's South-Mount Pearl, said he understood why Newfoundlanders would be tempted to turn their backs on the company.
"If it gets to the point where they say, 'Well, we don't care, we're going to stick with the Pamela Andersons,' well, there are other places to shop rather than Costco," Hearn said, referring to the celebrity animal-rights advocate.
I can understand taking products off shelves in California or the UK, but slapping your customers in the face where they live?
There will be people avoiding Costco outside of Newfoundland over this. They will be offest by additional sales in the UK, so it'll be even and everyone can feel good about being activists.
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