Have Your Say on the European Union Trade in Seal Products Regulation
What's Happening?
The European Commission is conducting a “fitness check” of Regulation (EC) No 1007/2009, which bans the trade of seal products in the European Union (EU). A "fitness check" means they are evaluating whether this regulation is effective, efficient, relevant, and coherent. In simple terms, this is a review to check if the regulation is achieving its goals.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is committed to ensuring the interests of Indigenous residents and communities of the Northwest Territories (NWT) are represented in this review process.
The GNWT has created this simple guide on how NWT residents can participate and share their thoughts during the review period. This is an opportunity for you to have your voice heard. We strongly encourage you to submit your written opinions through the EU’s online portal. The online portal closes August 7, 2024.
The GNWT, in collaboration with the Government of Nunavut, will be submitting an official response to the EU regarding the trade in seal products regulation.
Understanding the Regulation
In 2009, the European Commission created the EU trade on seal products regulation, which bans the sale of products made from seal in all EU countries.
In 2017, the European Commission granted two exceptions to the ban, allowing:
- Products from traditional hunts by Inuit or other Indigenous communities (Indigenous exemption).
- Imports of seal products bought by travellers for personal use (Travellers exemption).
Although the European Commission granted these two exemptions, the market for seal products in the EU has been greatly impacted by the ban, which has had a significant impact onIndigenous communities and residents of the NWT who trade seal pelts and products for their livelihood and economic development.
How You Can Participate
Do you have something to say about the regulation that bans the trade of seal products?
- Visit the EU Have your Say Portal.
- Click the yellow “Give Your Feedback” button.
- Create an account using your email address.
- Follow the instructions to finalize your account and create a password.
Once you have your account created, you can share your thoughts in two ways:
- Survey: A list of questions set by the European Commission.
- Call for Evidence: A place to write your thoughts and opinions, upload documents, materials, submit letters, reports, research, impact statements, and other forms of evidence.
The deadline to submit your response is August 7, 2024
Why Your Voice Matters
The EU regulation banning seal and walrus products has had significant impacts on remote and Arctic Indigenous communities in Canada. This is an opportunity to have your voice heard and tell those responsible for the regulation how they have affected you, your family or your community.