Special By By Jane Fazackarley Aug 19, 2010 in Environment Starting Friday the EU will ban the trade of all seal products. The International Fund for Animal Welfare have welcomed the announcement of this new legislation as they have long campaigned to see an end to all commercial sealing. "We are absolutely delighted with this legislation. It is the culmination of years of hard work and we will continue our efforts until cruel commercial seal hunting ends once and for all." The ban by the European Union is described as significant because it will stop the trade of seal products from any commercial hunt. The ban will include Norway, Canada and Namibia but at the same time protect sealing by indigenous Canada and Norway challenged the decision by the EU when they went to World Trade Organisation in November 2009. Speaking to the media about the ban Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said: “The government is very strongly in opposition to this decision of Europe. This is flagrant discrimination against the Canadian seal industry — against Canadian sealers — an industry of modest means that employs people who work hard. It is a disgrace that they are treated this way in some countries, based on no rational facts or information whatsoever. “So we strongly object to the decision. We will continue to defend our sealers. As you know, we’ve made appeals through international processes and we will continue to seek trade opportunities for our sealers in other parts of the Sheryl Fink, Senior Research and Projects Specialist at IFAW told me: "I think PM Harpers comments today were misinformed and, quite frankly, offensive. His statement that the EU ban is based on 'irrational facts' shows the complete lack of respect for science held by his government. "The EU ban on seal products is based on the outpouring of public sentiment against cruel commercial seal hunts, and supported by the scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority. The EU undertook a detailed and lengthy review of commercial seal hunts around the world and concluded that there was strong evidence that seals were not being killed humanely and were suffering pain and distress. We are thrilled that the European Union did the right thing by listening to their citizens and passing this important legislation. "We can see that the EU ban has already had an impact. Less that 25% of the total allowable catch was reached in the past two years in Canada. Commercial sealing is a dying industry and one that the government of Canada would be best to end now, while supporting a transition for fishermen who take part in the seal hunt into other activities. No one in Canada makes a living from sealing - it is a short term industry ( a few days or weeks) that barely brought in a million dollars last year." But now there are reports that say the ban will not come into force tomorrow after a legal challenge was made by Inuit Leaders. There is still some confusion over this and the IFAW were still waiting for clarification when I contacted them earlier. According to "I'm please to report that we have just learned this morning that the petition launched by the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) for an injunction has been granted by the European Court of Justice. This means that the ban does not come into force tomorrow." Later reports from the European Commission say the ban will still be enforced from Friday.. I asked Sheryl Fink what people can do to aid the campaign to end seal hunting. She told me: "In Canada, we are encouraging people to write to their Member of Parliament and let them know they are opposed to the commercial seal hunt in Canada, and opposed to their taxes being used to support this industry and challenge the EU seal product ban at the WTO. Internationally, people can write to the Canadian Embassy or High Commission and let them know they would like to see an end to the commercial seal hunt in Canada." Lesley O'Donnell, director of IFAW EU said:"We are absolutely delighted with this legislation. It is the culmination of years of hard work and we will continue our efforts until cruel commercial seal hunting ends once and for all."The ban by the European Union is described as significant because it will stop the trade of seal products from any commercial hunt. The ban will include Norway, Canada and Namibia but at the same time protect sealing by indigenous people Canada and Norway challenged the decision by the EU when they went to World Trade Organisation in November 2009.Speaking to the media about the ban Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said:“The government is very strongly in opposition to this decision of Europe. This is flagrant discrimination against the Canadian seal industry — against Canadian sealers — an industry of modest means that employs people who work hard. It is a disgrace that they are treated this way in some countries, based on no rational facts or information whatsoever.“So we strongly object to the decision. We will continue to defend our sealers. As you know, we’ve made appeals through international processes and we will continue to seek trade opportunities for our sealers in other parts of the world .”Sheryl Fink, Senior Research and Projects Specialist at IFAW told me: "I think PM Harpers comments today were misinformed and, quite frankly, offensive. His statement that the EU ban is based on 'irrational facts' shows the complete lack of respect for science held by his government."The EU ban on seal products is based on the outpouring of public sentiment against cruel commercial seal hunts, and supported by the scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority. The EU undertook a detailed and lengthy review of commercial seal hunts around the world and concluded that there was strong evidence that seals were not being killed humanely and were suffering pain and distress. We are thrilled that the European Union did the right thing by listening to their citizens and passing this important legislation."We can see that the EU ban has already had an impact. Less that 25% of the total allowable catch was reached in the past two years in Canada. Commercial sealing is a dying industry and one that the government of Canada would be best to end now, while supporting a transition for fishermen who take part in the seal hunt into other activities. No one in Canada makes a living from sealing - it is a short term industry ( a few days or weeks) that barely brought in a million dollars last year."But now there are reports that say the ban will not come into force tomorrow after a legal challenge was made by Inuit Leaders. There is still some confusion over this and the IFAW were still waiting for clarification when I contacted them earlier.According to CBC News, Fisheries Minister Gail Shea said:"I'm please to report that we have just learned this morning that the petition launched by the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) for an injunction has been granted by the European Court of Justice. This means that the ban does not come into force tomorrow."Later reports from the European Commission say the ban will still be enforced from Friday..I asked Sheryl Fink what people can do to aid the campaign to end seal hunting. She told me:"In Canada, we are encouraging people to write to their Member of Parliament and let them know they are opposed to the commercial seal hunt in Canada, and opposed to their taxes being used to support this industry and challenge the EU seal product ban at the WTO. Internationally, people can write to the Canadian Embassy or High Commission and let them know they would like to see an end to the commercial seal hunt in Canada." More about Seal products, Ban, European union More news from seal products ban european union