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European Union Bans Trade in Seal Products

05 May 2009

Respect for Animals Welcomes Historic Legislation

Strasbourg, 5 May 2009 - Today the European Parliament voted by a large majority to ban the placing on the market of seal products throughout the 27 countries of the EU.

This legislation closes the market for products from commercial seal hunts all over the world, including Canada’s – the largest most brutal slaughter of marine mammals.  It also closes the loophole created by the 1983 European legislation which only banned the sale of fur from newborn ‘whitecoat’ harp seals and ‘blueback’’ hooded seals. The sealers now wait just a few days until the seals moult their white fur making them ‘fair game’ and their fur saleable in Europe..

Opinion polls in the UK have consistently shown large majorities of the public support a ban on seal imports and an Early Day Motion in the UK Parliament calling for an EU ban has been signed by 147 MPs from all parties. 

UK MEPs played key roles in ensuring this legislation passed and remains robust.  Arlene McCarthy MEP North West who chaired the Internal Market & Consumer Protection Committee had to redraft the key elements of the Commission’s original proposal which won the support of the majority of MEPs. 

The legislation has passed in the face of a massive lobby from the Canadian Government and those with vested interests in sealing.   

Mark Glover, Campaign Director of Respect for Animals said today:  “I was present for the vote in 1983 and being there today draws a line under this campaign as well as EU involvement in this crime against nature.   EU citizens will no longer have the blood of those beautiful, innocent creatures on their hands.  EU imports helped fuel the cruelty and we hope today’s ban sends a clear and loud message to Canada that the brutal act of clubbing and shooting baby seals will no longer be tolerated.”

The Parliament voted 550 to 49 for the regulation which will go into effect in 2010.


Notes for Editors:

The European Union has been a primary market for seal fur in recent years but during the last 2 years the price of a seal pelt has dropped from approximately 100 $CAN to around 15 $CAN due to the threat of an EU trade ban.

This year’s seal hunt in Canada has just ended 250,000 short of its quota as a result of the discussions in the European parliament

The EU now joins the USA which banned the import and trade in seal products in 1972.  Mexico, Croatia, Belgium and the Netherlands have also banned the trade.