The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is taking its case on the proposed European Union (EU) seal product ban to the EU representatives in Ottawa this week. The EU has been considering legislation that could potentially end the sale, transshipment and marketing of Canadian seal products in Europe.

Last week, the Honourable Premier Danny Williams wrote letters to a number of ambassadors of EU member states to make them aware of the facts regarding the province�s sealing industry. This week, the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, is in Ottawa to speak directly with as many EU representatives as possible. The minister will be addressing the fact that the proposed ban is a violation of international trade agreements, the role that the seal harvest plays in fisheries conservation and the facts about animal welfare in the Canadian seal harvest.

"Having met with the Canadian Sealers Association in Rocky Harbour this past week, I know that this is a critical time for our province�s sealing industry and our government is doing everything possible to ensure a future for the industry," said Minister Hedderson. "The proposed ban is a violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements. Now that the future of our sealing industry hangs in the balance, our government is making sure that our voice is being heard by people who are in a position to influence the outcome of the vote on the proposed ban."

The minister will meet with several EU representatives including Giovanni di Girolamo, Acting Ambassador and First Secretary for the EU; Ambassador Paul Christensen of Denmark; Ambassador Ingrid Iremark of Sweden; Ambassador Ginte Damsus of Lithuania; and Per Oystein Vatne, First Secretary of the Embassy of Norway. The minister will also meet with Senator Celine Hervieux-Payette of Quebec.

The Canadian seal harvest is one of the best managed harvests of animals anywhere in the world and is completely sustainable. The Canadian seal herd is currently estimated at 5.6 million or approximately three times what it was in 1970. The proposed ban is a very serious threat to the 6,000 sealers and their families who depend on the industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. Sealers have stated that up to 35 per cent of their annual income is from the sealing industry. The sealing industry was valued at approximately $30 million within the province in 2008. This value fluctuates depending on global supply and demand of seal products and has been as high as $60 million.

"The sealing harvest is also important for reasons of environmental protection and conservation," said Minister Hedderson. "A number of European nations themselves have to engage in annual seal culls in order to limit damage caused by seals to fish stocks. This makes us question whether an end to the Canadian seal harvest would achieve the animal welfare and protection that animal rights groups seem to be pursuing."

In 1992, a moratorium was declared on the harvesting of North Atlantic cod and other groundfish stocks. This was economically devastating for the province. Most groundfish stocks remain at low levels. If the seal harvest no longer continues for commercial reasons, Canadian seal herds may still need to be harvested for ecosystem management. If seals are not harvested, they will impede the recovery of fish stocks that are important to both Canada and the EU. Harp seals alone consume roughly 7.0 million tons of fish annually, which is more than 10 times Canada�s total annual seafood exports.

"Our government has long enjoyed a very productive trading relationship with many of the EU member states," said Minister Hedderson. "At this critical time for the future of the Canadian sealing industry, I am asking Members of the European Parliament to make an informed decision when voting on the proposed ban on the importation of Canadian sealing products. I would also ask that they review the clear evidence that the Canadian seal hunt is both sustainable and conducted in a humane manner."

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Media contact:

Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca