Standing with the sealers
As minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, I continue to stand with sealers and the sealing industry and champion an industry that is woven into our province’s history and rural communities.
Clearly, I am disappointed in the European Union’s (EU) most recent proposal to make changes to regulations related to its trade ban on seal products to bring it into compliance with the World Trade Organization ruling earlier this year which continues to restrict access to European markets for the commercial sealing industry.
The provincial government is evaluating this most recent EU proposal carefully and exploring options that we can bring forward to the Government of Canada in our continued effort to address this misguided EU policy.
I also want to express my disappointment with an article published by The Telegram, “Strong message: Humane Society International applauds beefing up of trade ban on seal products.” In this article, the only viewpoint put forward on the issue of the EU and its continued ban on seal products was that of the executive director of the Humane Society International Canada, Rebecca Aldworth who, sadly but predictably, continues to spread misinformation and untruths about Canada’s sustainable and humane sealing industry.
One falsehood upon which antisealing groups continue to build their campaigns is the alleged harvest of “baby” or “whitecoat” seals. We all know “whitecoat” seals have not been commercially harvested in Canada for more than 25 years.
Our sealing industry sources its products through one of the best managed, most strictly regulated and humane harvests of wildlife in the world. Seal harvesters undergo mandatory training to ensure a humane harvest, and many internationally-respected veterinarians have reviewed Canada’s seal harvest and confirmed it is humane.
As Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, we all know the sealing industry is economically and culturally significant to the people of our province and we all recognize the ecological impacts of having more than seven million seals consuming fish resources.
The sealing industry plays an important role in rural economies and the sustainable management of other marine resources.
It is always disheartening when media outlets, particularly those here at home, repeat and give credence to the false, self-serving lines of the antisealing groups without challenge and without presenting the fact that this is a closely regulated, humane, sustainable and professional harvest of an abundant marine resource that provides real and tangible benefits to people in rural communities.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador continues to be a steadfast supporter of the sealing industry having supported its success through multi-million dollar, shortterm repayable loans at commercial rates to encourage investment and industry development, and committing funds to support international marketing efforts and research into new products. Funding has also been provided to support awareness campaigning by the Seals and Sealing Network aimed at addressing misconceptions and misinformation about the seal industry.
The commercial sealing industry is seeking new international market opportunities, which will benefit rural economies and communities. We will continue to support the success of this humane and professional industry with funding and advocacy in the future.