IFAW: European Union seal ban takes effect

The General Court of the European Union (EU) this week revoked a temporary suspension of the EU regulation banning the trade in seal products, allowing the full implementation of this momentous legislation.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW – www.ifaw.org) applauds the decision as a significant victory in IFAW’s 40-year campaign to end the cruelty of commercial seal hunting.

Robbie Marsland, UK Director of IFAW, said: “We are pleased that the court has made the right decision and lifted the suspension. This ban is about the right of Europeans to say no to products that stem from cruel and unnecessary hunts. IFAW will continue to work to defend this right and to defend the EU seal ban.”

The EU ban prohibits the trade in products from all commercial seal hunts, including those in Canada, Namibia and Norway, but does not affect sealing by Inuit and other indigenous peoples.

Lesley O’Donnell, IFAW’s EU Director, said: “The applicants in the court case included most of the Canadian and Norwegian commercial sealing industry, and as such, had the suspension not ended there could be no guarantee to Europeans that they were not providing a market for products from cruel commercial seal hunts.”

IFAW opposes Canada’s commercial seal hunt because of its unacceptable cruelty. The largest marine mammal hunt in the world sees seals being clubbed or shot, primarily so their fur can be used to provide luxury items for the fashion industry.

The EU will likely have to defend its seal ban at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Canada recently requested additional WTO consultations with the EU on the ban. The consultations are expected to take place before the end of the year.

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For more information or interviews please contact Clare Sterling at IFAW on 020 7587 6708, mobile 07917 507717 or email csterling@ifaw.org

About IFAW – Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats.