EU Commission Proposes Ban on Seal Products

EU Environment Commissioner Mr. Stavros Dimas announced today a proposal to ban the trade in seal products.  The proposal comes after growing political opposition and a huge public outcry about ongoing commercial hunts for young seals. 

While this is certainly a step forward, IFAW remains concerned about potential loopholes that would allow the trade to continue.  Specifically, the proposed ban allows exemptions for seal products obtained from hunts which meet certain criteria for killing seals.

“We are very concerned about this loophole,” said Robbie Marsland, Director of IFAW UK. “Only a complete ban can prevent products from these large-scale and inherently cruel hunts from entering the European markets. Harsh and unpredictable hunting conditions make it impossible to properly monitor or enforce so-called humane killing methods.”

Read more about the proposal

Visit IFAW's seal campaign page