The European Commission has welcomed the vote by the European Parliament confirming the first reading agreement reached between Council and Parliament on an EU Regulation banning the trading of seal products within and into the European Union.
The aim of the regulation is to ensure that products derived from seals hunted for commercial purposes are no longer found on the European market.
European Commissioner for the Environment Stavros Dimas said: "After many years of campaigning by European citizens I welcome the regulation which bans seal products from entering or being traded in the European Union. By upholding the highest standards the new legislation addresses EU citizens' concerns with regard to the cruel hunting methods of seals. "
The aim of the new EU legislation is to regulate the internal market and to address EU citizens' concerns on the welfare of seals during commercial hunts. The regulation bans the placing on the market and the importing into the European Union of seal products for commercial purposes.
The new EU measures eliminate the disparate national rules in force and consolidate the fragmented European market in seal products. However, trade in seal products will be allowed for seal products derived from hunts traditionally conducted by Inuit and other indigenous communities and which contribute to their subsistence.
