Rocker Joan Jett has waded into the debate over Canada's controversial seal cull, urging European Union (E.U.) officials to uphold a ban on imported pelts.

Thousands of seals are clubbed to death annually in Canada as part of the controversial trade, which sees the mammals' pelts sold to firms in other countries, including Norway. Canadian and Norwegian authorities are challenging a Europe-wide ban and Jett insists they should make their arguments public as consumers have a right to know where their goods come from.

In a letter to Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Store, Jett writes, "Norway buys most seal pelts from Canada, then ships them for sale in countries that aren't aware of the cruelty. Just one Norwegian company purchases close to 80 per cent of the pelts."
 
"Norwegian citizens deserve to know that their government has provided significant financial assistance to this company for years, which indirectly helps prop up Canada's cruel baby-seal slaughter. For a country so compassionate that it would ban fur from fashion shows, supporting Canada's seal massacre just seems ridiculous. Most people are horrified to learn that seals in Canada are bludgeoned and even skinned alive for their fur... If Norway has nothing to hide, why not make the process public?"

Musicians including Natalie Imbruglia, Paul McCartney, Iggy Pop, and Ke$ha have all called for Canadian officials to end the annual seal cull.