Environment Committee votes for full seal trade ban

Just weeks before the world’s largest commercial seal slaughter takes place again on the ice floes off the East coast of Canada, Europe is preparing to take the final decision to ban the trade in seal products. Every year thousands of seals are clubbed or shot and every year citizens and NGOs voice their disapproval with these practices.

Yesterday’s vote was a strong signal that MEPs in the Environment Committee are unwilling to accept the half-baked solution proposed by the European Commission. The original proposal bans the trade in seal products but leaves room for derogations for those organisations or even countries that can prove there are sufficient so-called ‘humane killing’ regulations in place.  

However, a ban with unenforceable derogations will only amount to a useless piece of legislation that does not satisfy European public opinion. Lesley O’Donnell, IFAW’s EU Director is convinced that citizens’ concern can only be met if the most essential condition is put into place. She added: “IFAW’s thirty years of experience witnessing Canada’s commercial seal hunt on the ground and from the air with helicopters, have time and time again confirmed that in practice regulations are not implemented or effectively monitored”.

In a region approximately five times the size of The Netherlands, under harsh climate conditions and pressured by limited time and excessive costs, sealers slaughter thousands of seals without taking the time to follow procedures.

In reality seal hunting constitutes a mass slaughter. In Europe there are strict animal welfare procedures for the slaughter of animals that provide us with food and clothing. Those same procedures do not exist for Canada’s commercial seal slaughter and untold numbers of animals continue to experience pain, distress and suffering each year. 

“It is clear”, Ms. O’Donnell said, “that citizens from across Europe will not be satisfied with misleading legislative proposals and empty promises. MEP Frieda Brepoels rapporteur from the Group of the European People’s Party understood this message”. Ms Brepoels produced a critical report calling for a full ban on the trade in seal products without derogations and with a clear definition for an Inuit exemption. “I hope the entire parliament will listen to its citizens and follow this example,” concluded Ms. O’Donnell.