Published on June 12, 2009

MEPs vote for ban on seal products

Products derived from seals will be almost completely banned from the market in the European Union as soon as a regulation adopted in the European Parliament enters into force.

Length: 2 minutes

These unbearable scenes could finally become history. Parliament just voted a ban on the sale and import of seal based products, like these fur hats and jackets. Without trade outlets, their sale would be impossible in Europe, which would decrease this animal slaughter. This MEP thinks the ban is a great victory for the European Parliament and for seal protection associations.

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For Canada, a great exporter of seal-based products, this hunting represents a market estimated at 5.4 million euros per year, a relatively low amount for that sort of trade. Even though Canadians can slaughter 300 000 animals this year, seal fur sales are free-falling, thanks to awareness campaigns. But the struggle is far from over yet. The ban of those products within the EU may be contested at the WTO for violation of international rules.

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MEPs planned exceptions to this ban on sales and imports. Indigenous populations like Inuits in Alaska will be allowed to pursue their traditional hunt, vital for their subsistence. Putting seal-based products on the market will also be accepted if its sole goal is to sustain fish stocks. This official from the International Fund for Animal Welfare thinks this last exception isn't up to facts.

Fish stocks are dropping drastically all over the world, even where there are no sea mammals, no seals or animals to blame for management problems caused by human activity.

This EU legislation could be enforced as soon as 2010.