British singer Morrissey is denying Canadian fans the chance to see him perform live, in protest over the country's controversial seal hunt.

The animal-loving rocker is disgusted the North American nation plans to continue their annual hunt next week, despite international campaigns and condemnation by high-profile celebrities such as Paul McCartney, Brigitte Bardot and Pamela Anderson.

Animal rights campaigners claim up to 325,000 young harp seal pups will die in the controversial practice over the coming weeks.

In a statement on the ex-Smiths frontman's website, he writes, "I fully realise that the absence of any Morrissey concerts in Canada is unlikely to bring the Canadian economy to its knees, but it is our small protest against this horrific slaughter - which is the largest slaughter of marine animal species found anywhere on the planet.

"The Canadian Prime Minister (Stephen Harper) also states that the slaughter is necessary because it provides jobs for local communities, but this is an ignorant reason for allowing such barbaric and cruel slaughter of beings that are denied life simply because somebody
somewhere might want to wear their skin.

"Construction of German gas chambers also provided work for someone - this is not a moral or sound reason for allowing suffering."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)