The international opposition to Canada’s annual commercial seal hunt is steadily spreading. In September 2006, the European Parliament passed a historic resolution calling on the European Commission to introduce legislation banning the trade in all harp and hooded seal products. Currently, the European Commission is evaluating the humane aspects of the seal hunting, the results of which could provide the foundation for a ban.

Closing markets are causing seal product prices to plummet. Seal skin prices in 2007 fell by a whopping 50% from last year. In part because of the drop in pelt value, hunters killed less than 80% of their allotted quota in 2007.

Countries that have prohibited the trade in seal products through legislation:
United States
Belgium
Netherlands
Mexico
Slovenia
Croatia

Countries that have suspended the trade in seal products through licensing programs:
Italy
Luxembourg

Countries whose parliaments have resolved to ban the trade in seal products:
Panama
Germany
Austria

Countries that have announced their intention to ban the trade in seal products:
France
Italy

Countries that have announced they will press for an EU ban of the trade of seal products:
Germany
UK
Netherlands
Italy

Political bodies that have called on governments to ban the seal product trade:
Council of Europe
European Parliament

Countries that have prohibited the commercial hunting of seals:
United States
South Africa

Note: In 2000, a bill to ban seal hunting in Russia was passed by the Russian parliament by 273 votes to 1, but it was subsequently vetoed by President Vladimir Putin.

Countries that have called on the Canadian government to end the commercial seal hunt:
Mexico
United States

Note: In 2007, the Council of Europe passed a resolution calling on nations including Canada to "ban all cruel hunting methods" used in commercial seal hunts and calling on its 46 member states to promote initiatives banning the trade in seal products.

Text reprinted from Humane Society International Canada