31.10.09: Imports of seal products
The import into Member States of the EU for commercial purposes of skins of harp seal pups and hooded seal pups and products derived therefrom is prohibited under Council Directive 83/129/EEC concerning the importation into EU Member States of skins of certain seal pups and products derived therefrom.
Seals are hunted within and outside the European Community and used for obtaining products and articles, such as meat, oil, blubber, organs, fur skins and articles made therefrom, which include products as diverse as Omega3 capsules and garments incorporating processed seal skins and fur.
Those products are sold commercially on different markets, including the European Community market. Given the nature of those products, it is difficult or impossible for consumers to distinguish them from similar products not derived from seals.
There are differences between national provisions of the EU Member States governing the trade, import, production and marketing of seal products. Those differences adversely affect the operation of the internal market in products which contain or may contain seal products, and constitute barriers to trade in such products.
A new Regulation harmonises the rules across the European Community from 20 August 2010 as regards commercial activities concerning seal products, and thereby prevent the disturbance of the internal market in the products concerned, including products equivalent to, or substitutable, for seal products.
In order to ensure that the harmonised rules provided for in that Regulation are fully effective, those rules apply not only to seal products originating from the European Community, but also to those introduced into the European Community from third countries.
Vetimpleg explains the consequences.
Subscribe now!
to newsoverview
|
