Diana's key report on trade in seal products overwhelmingly backed in European Parliament

12.27.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 5th May 2009

Local Liberal Democrat Euro MP Diana Wallis's report into the trade in Seal Products was overwhelmingly backed by MEPs in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today. The final vote was 550 votes in favour of Diana Wallis' report and just 49 against.

The Yorkshire & the Humber MEP Diana Wallis lead Monday evening's debate prior to Tuesday's vote on a proposed Regulation.

The discussion has focused on whether or not to ban outright the trade in seal products and Diana Wallis's report generated enormous interest across the globe.

Diana Wallis, a Vice-President of the European Parliament, said:

"This is very much a compromise agreement between the three EU institutions (Parliament, Members States and Commission). It is a compromise reached quickly at first reading in order to try to respect the wishes of the thousands of Europeans who have written to us to express their views against the commercial seal hunt. Whilst we cannot and have not legislated against hunting we have as far as legally possible prohibited the commercial selling of seal products within the EU.

"This is a compromise I can support, however I have little doubt that it will legally challenged by Canada or other affected third parties.

"I also fear that there will be much disappointment from the Innuit peoples whose traditional lifestyles will be associated with a banned product despite our attempts to provide them with an exception. The challenge now is to make this work in terms of how it is implemented. That will be no easy task."

The text of the Regulation, as agreed in discussions between MEPs and the Council of Ministers only allows seal products to be placed on the market if:-

· they are derived from traditional, subsistence hunting, in particular by indigenous communities;

· they result from hunts allowed under national legislation for sustainable management of marine resources.

As regards the import of seal products, these should also be allowed if they are occasional and for the personal use of travellers and their families.

The restrictions on imports and on placing on the market should come into effect nine months + 20 days after the Regulation is published in the Official Journal.