The EU Shuts Down Seal Product Imports - Again

Cover of special article reprint "The European Union Parliament Shuts Down Seal-Product Imports - Again" sent to all Members of the European Union

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami has forwarded all Members of the European Parliament a special printing of the May/June Above & Beyond magazine article titled "The European Union Shuts Down Seal-Product Imports - Again"

In a covering letter included with the article Mary Simon states

Even though Canadian Inuit were not the direct target of the 1980s European white coat seal ban and do not engage in hunting white coats, that ban caused devastating cultural, social, and economic impacts upon our people. Many of our people recall the loss of critical livelihoods and the loss of lives through suicide during this time.

Despite the inclusion of an Inuit exemption in the latest proposed seal ban, we fear another devastating result as our supporting markets and infrastructures are sure to collapse under an outright ban. The market has already reacted to the prospect of the new seal ban and we are feeling the impacts on the fragile market for our seal products that we have been trying to rebuild since the last ban.

I urge you to take note of these facts as the European Parliament considers finalization of an EU seal product import ban regime within the next several weeks. The article and the decision are in your hands.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is currently involved in a legal challenge to the European Union seal product import ban.