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EU countries vote to ban seal products Decision 'lacks any basis in facts': minister

'It's a black day for Atlantic Canada for this ban to go ahead' -- Robert Courtney, president of the North of Smokey Fishermen's Association

By: Peter O'Neil and Linda Nguyen

Posted: 05/6/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

The Canadian sealing industry grappled with the loss of a $2.4-million-a-year market for seal products Tuesday, as the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of a ban across its 27 nations.

The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans expressed disappointment and opposition to the move by the European Union member countries.

"The decision by the European Parliament lacks any basis in facts," Fisheries Minister Gail Shea said in a statement. "The Canadian seal hunt is guided by rigorous animal welfare principles which are internationally recognized by independent observers. I once again caution my European counterparts about the dangers of pursuing politically motivated bans on other countries' traditional industries. Our government will stand up for the jobs and communities that depend on the seal hunt."

Seal industry workers said the decision was a blow.

"It's a black day for Atlantic Canada for this ban to go ahead," said Robert Courtney, president of the North of Smokey Fishermen's Association in Nova Scotia. "It's really going to have an impact because it's not just sealers who will be affected, but fishermen, too. We didn't think they would do it."

The European Parliament voted 550-49 in Strasbourg, France, ending a long battle to shut off a key market for Canada's sealing industry.

Courtney, who has been a sealer and fishermen for more than 30 years in Dingwall, N.S., said he'll now have to compete with an overpopulation of seals for his livelihood.

"The government needs to step in to find another way to bring the herd into check, if it requires a cull, then so be it," he said from on board his six-man vessel.

Courtney said the ban was voted upon based on inaccurate information from animal rights activists.

"They based their opinion on a 10-second clip. The activists provoked us, did everything in their power to get that clip," he said. "We've changed our regulations to make things more humane, but there is nothing we can do when the one purpose of the activists is to try to stop this seal hunt."

The Canadian government has already threatened to challenge the legislation, expected to take effect in the first half of 2010, at the World Trade Organization.

"If the EU imposes a trade ban on seal products it must contain an exemption for any country, like Canada, that has strict guidelines in place for humane and sustainable sealing practices," said International Trade Minister Stockwell Day in a release.

"If there is no such acceptable exemption, Canada will challenge the ban at the World Trade Organization (WTO)."

The government is studying the exact wording of the proposed regulation. The fisheries minister said government will take appropriate action to protect Canada's sealing industry and continue to defend the interests of Canadian sealers.

"A European ban would have a devastating impact on thousands of Canadian families in remote coastal communities who rely on the seal hunt for 25 to 35 per cent of their annual income," Shea said.

The European Parliament's proposed ban cannot become law until it has been adopted by the Council of the European Union, which represents the member states. Shea and Day said the government of Canada will continue to aggressively counter the campaign being waged by professional anti-seal hunt lobby groups.

Anti-sealing forces were jubilant over the decision.

"It was a landslide victory," said Rebecca Aldworth, director of the Humane Society International Canada.

She said parliamentarians who supported the law held up photographs and stuffed seal toys before the electronic vote.

"We're absolutely thrilled. This is a historic moment in the campaign to stop commercial seal hunts around the world."

In Newfoundland, Earle McCurdy, president of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union could not contain the anger he felt towards the EU Parliament. He said the thousands of sealers his union represents in the province urge the federal government to take immediate action.

"We're disgusted with the ban, actually. They are trying to tell us how to live, to pass judgment on how we live with no regards whatsoever for the impact a growing seal population would have on our fish stocks. In our view, Canada has no recourse but to take ... action against the World Trade Organization," he said.

According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, 5,000 to 6,000 people in Newfoundland and Labrador derive some income from sealing. Sealing is also practised in Quebec and elsewhere in Atlantic Canada, and by Canada's aboriginals.

In 2008, Canada exported $2.4 million worth of seal exports to EU countries, including fur, fats and meats.

-- Canwest News Service

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 6, 2009 A11

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