Canadian Inuit slam EU over proposed 'cruel hunting' seal product ban

Inuit leaders swiftly condemned the European Union on Wednesday for proposing an import ban on products derived from seals that it deems to be inhumanely killed..

Under the proposed ban, seal products from countries that "practise hunting methods that involve unnecessary pain," also referred to as "cruel hunting," would not be allowed into the 27-nation bloc.

The draft legislation would give a special exemption for products from traditional Inuit sealers, EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas said Wednesday.

But Inuit sealing supporters say that even with an exemption in place, the import ban would destroy the North's sealing industry.

"A ban on Canadian seal skin is going to affect the price, it's going to affect our ability to sell the skin," Inuit sealing activist Aaju Peter told CBC News on Wednesday.

"Whether we're exempted or not, it is going to kill our market and our hunter's ability to provide for his family. It's unacceptable."

Peter, who travelled to Europe last year to counter animal rights groups' claims about the sealing industry, said the exemption for traditional Inuit hunters must be more clearly defined.

The EU has been under increased pressure from anti-sealing activists and European legislators to take action over the seal hunt, which they believe is cruel and should be stopped. Sealers say the hunt is humane, sustainable and an important income source.

The draft legislation must receive approval from its executive and legislative branches before it takes effect.

Nunavut Environment Minister Olayuk Akesuk said the European Union is making its decisions based on distorted media images from anti-sealing campaigns, rather than the facts about the seal hunt.

He noted that Inuit sealers in Nunavut hunt seals with rifles, a practice that sealers consider to be humane.

Akesuk said his government will lobby the federal government for help in convincing the EU to change its mind on the issue.

"We'll do our very best again to send this message, and hopefully the federal government will help us out on this," he said. "We really need the support of the federal government to work together on this."

Akesuk blasted the EU's proposed exemption for traditional Inuit sealers, saying it is nothing more than a way for Europeans to pretend they are not acting like colonialists.

Other leaders expressed disappointment with the EU's move, including Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Mary Simon and James Eetoolook, acting president of Inuit land-claim organization Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

"The income of the seal hunters is going to be hit very hard," Eetoolook said.

"I think the governments of the world, especially the European governments, should think and get the proper information [about] how we hunt here in Canada."

Simon has pointed out that the Inuit economy, which was decimated by a European ban on seal products in the 1980s, still depends on sealing.