The committee voting had a large majority in favor of stopping all import of seal products. The worst case scenario for the seal industry is that the European Parliament could pass a prohibition on even transport of seal production across EU-ground.
Committee spokeswoman Diana Wallis’ opinion was to still allow seal products within the EU. However, she was almost alone with this view.
− I would have to say that Norway’s voice in this discussion was absent, says Wallis to Norwegian NRK.
In her opinion the Norwegian stands on maintaining a sustainable management of the seal stock would be a better solution.
The Danish politician Christel Schaldemose says that the committee’s decision is meant to stop Canadian seal hunting, which is considered to be inhumane for the seals. He believes that if Norway had worked harder in presenting their views, then the committee might have opened for human seal hunting.
Fisheries adviser at the Norwegian EU delegations office, Paul Oma, says to NRK that they have done all they can to convince the committee to open for humane seal hunting, but were not heard.
The EU parliament will vote on the matter on April 1st.
