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Conformém ent au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983 
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique 
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983, 
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003 
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règlem ent. 
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983 
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Econom ic 
Communit y and the European Atom ic Energy Communit y (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as 
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243, 
27.9.2003, p. 1), t his file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this 
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.  
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom  1. 
Februa r 1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen  
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgem einschaft (ABI. L 43 vom  15.2.1983,  
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. Septem ber 2003  
(ABI. L 243 v om 27.9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit  
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der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.  
COMMISSION  OF THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 
COM(83) 71 final 
Brussels,  11th February  1983 
COMMUNICATION  FROM THE COMMISS ION TO THE COUNCIL 
concernant  the prohibition  of importations  into the Community  of 
certain baby sealskins  and derivatery  products 
COM(83) 71 final 

1. INTRODUCTION 
a) In their Resolution  of 5  January  1983 (1)  with regard  to 
sealpups  the  Council  and the  representatives  of the  govern­
ments of the  Member  States called  upon the •commission  to 
examine  further,  in collaboration with  the authorities  of 
the countries  concerned,  the methods,  circumstances  and 
scientific  aspects  of the  killing  of pups of harp and 
hooded  seals as well as the  possibiIitiesof  identification 
by marking.  The Commission  was also called  upon to pursue 
exploratory talks with  the countries  concerned  in order to 
evaluate  the  possibilities  inherent  in the  proposals  put 
forward by Canada,  to evaluate national  measures  taken 
pending any decision  about  action  of Community  level and 
in the  light of the  foregoing,  to consider  the  possibility 
of proposing  the  additional action  to be  taken at Community 
level on the  basis of the  relevant provisions  of the  Treaty. 
The Council  undertook  to examine  the Commission's  communi­
cations and proposals  on the  subject, notably  the proposal 
for a Regulation  on an  import ban already submitted,  and to 
adopt not later than 1 March 1983, as  part of its review, all 
appropriate  measures  on the  basis of all the necessary  back­
ground  information, while  fulfilling  the Community's  obliga­
tions, in particular  in the  field of international trade. 
B) The present report  is based on the  results  of the  relevant 
examinations  and on  exploratory talks with  Canada  and Norway 
since the adoption  of the  Resolution  concerned.  Such meetings 
have taken place  bilaterally  with Canada  on 25 and 31  January, 
with Norway  on 18  January  and  trilaterally  with Canada  and 
Norway in Ottawa  from 31 January  to 1  February. 
2. THE METHODS AND  CIRCUMSTANCES  OF THE  ANNUAL  COMMERCIAL  HUNT OF  
HARP AND HOODED  SEALS 
It is clear that  it is not the  methods  and circumstances  of the 
hunt of baby seals that  is at the  root of Parliament  and public 
objection  - it is the  fact of the  hunt itself. 
Nevertheless  it is  also important  to consider  the methods  and 
circumstances  in some detail. 
(i) The  objections  to the  killing  of "baby  seals"  are a 
combination  of all of the  following aspects  : the  slaughter 
of (1) defenseless,  newborn,  (2) wild animals  (3) on a 
massive  scale (4)  under not sufficiently  controllable 
circumstances,  (5) with clubs  and hakapiks, that  can be  misused, 
(6) bleeding  and pelting  on the ice (7) in  many cases in the 
presence  of the  mother (8) for  trivial,  luxury  purposes. 
(ii) It is an  established fact that  the stunning  and exsangui-
nation method  used in the  killing  of sealpups  is technically 
humane and similar  to methods  used in slaughterhouses. 
(1) OJ C 14 of  18.1.83  p. 1 

2. 
(iii) As regards the way in  which the hunt is in practice carried out 
two main questions arise: 
(a) the extent to  which the method  is properly applied 
(b) whether  females  are indifferent to the  killing  of 
their pups. 
ad (a) 
The evidence, available  from reports by  members  and experts 
of the government  appointed  Committee  on Seals and Sealing  (COSS), 
clearly demonstrates  that it is  still not possible to guarantiee 
that the sealing operations can be carried out  humanely  and 
under effective supervision.  Indeed,  the possibilities  of effective 
supervision and  enforcement  have repeatedly  been questioned. 
Official  observers' reports  demonstrate  that in spite of the 
considerable efforts that  have undoubtedly  been made a number 
of inhumane  practices and violations of regulations in all categories 
of the hunt  still occur. 
ad (b) 
Sealing regulations  recommend  that no  pups which their mothers  defend 
should be taken. It has repeatedly  been confirmed that within a few 
days of whelping  and lactating the  maternal-pup  bond is undoubtedly 
well established.  Immediately  after the lactating period  which  lasts 
for about  10 days,  this, however,  ceases. 
(iv) Although  the development  and introduction of alternative 
visually  more acceptable stunning and  killing  instruments 
is one of the  aims of the  Canadian  government,  it must be 
seriously  doubted  whether  this would change  public opinion 
as it would not address  the objections to the  killing  of 
"baby seals" as  such. 
Apart from that it  must be noted that the long history of the 
development  of a sealing  pistol  is not very  encouraging. 
The use of the  pistol  is still fraught with  problems  such as cost, 
safety and efficiency  under  difficult  working  conditions. 
(v) The  moral  status of the sealhunt of  course  heavily  depends 
on its human benefits,  both economic  and sociological  compared 
to the non-human  costs involved. 
r 
Few would  object to the taking of  animals  where this formed 
part of an established subsistence pattern, large scale 
commercial  hunting for essentially luxury  purposes  is seen 
as altogether different. 

3. 
(vi) The  available  statistical i  nf orma t i on orrt heSocio-economi  c 
aspects of the sealhunt  in Canada,  most of which dates  back to 
1976 (the year  in which the most recent extensive survey  was 
carried out), shows that the  income from the hunt is very 
unevenly  distributed  in favour of the commercial sealers. 
Sealing makes only a minor marginal contribution  to Newfoundland 
(less than 0.5% of  the value added by goods-producing  industries. 
It was, however,  underlined during  the exploratory discussions, that 
for fishermen  in remote  coastal communities with  few or no  alternative  occupations 
and high  unemployment  rates during winter, sealing  makes an 
important contribution  to their annual  income and the maintenance 
of their way of  life. 
Although there  is litt leinformation  on the Norwegian  economics 
of the harp and hooded seal hunt,  it is  obvious that both its 
primary and secondary sector  depend  heavily  on whitecoats  and bluebacks 
for the hunt to be  economically  viable. 
(vii) There  is as yet no scientific  evidence  to support the claim 
that the hunt is necessary  to maintain or to  restore the balance 
ofthe ecosystems concerned  and therefore  the question  whether 
a government  supervised  scientific cull  is necessary  or not 
cannot yet be answered. 
(viii) The  prevailing  market  situation  has seriously  affected both 
the primary  and the secondary sector  of the sealing industry: 
large unsold stocks  and much lower prices.  It may therefore 
be expected that  the takes in the  coming sealing season  will 
be much lower than  in previous years. 
The recommandation  of the Norwegian  Sealing Council  not to take 
any whitecoats  and bluebacks  in 1983, although  not yet  confirmed 
by the Norwegian  Government,  clearly  illustrates  the present 
market situation. 
(ix) More  generally the"baby  seal" issue also appears  to be  adversely 
affecting  the fur industry  as a whole. 
The analysis  of the circumstances  of the annual commercial harp  and hooded 
seal hunt and in particular  the considerations  enumerated  above,  thus leads 
to the conclusion that it  is in  every respect  still fraught with problems. 
It also shows that the increasing public objection  to the killing of 
"baby" seals must be taken seriously. 
3. SCIENTIFIC  ASPECTS  AND CONSEQUENCES  FOR THE  MANAGEMENT  OF HARP AND HOODED  
SEAL StOCkS 
(i) Recent  scientific  evidence, provided  in 1982 successively  by the 
UK Nature Conservancy Council,  the Northwest  Atlantic  Fisheries 
Organization  and the International Council for  the Exploration  of 
the Sea, demonstrates  the present uncertainty about  the current 
status of the harp 

4. 
seal  ana the hooded seal in particular. (A summary of the main 
scientific  conclusions is given in Annex I). 
(ii) There have been different interpretations of the ICES report 
and its degree of agreementwith the NCC study, 
the 
It is considered opinion of the Commission  that  both reports 
reach  virtually identical conclusions about hooded  seals: 
there are no reliable estimates of the size and status of the 
Northwest Atlantic stock. On harp seals the ICES report seems 
more hopeful but the opinions are not as different as.they first 
appear as both NCC and ICES (and also NAFO) conclude  that  a slight 
stock  decline cannot be ruled out. 
(iii) On the basis of the ICES study which is the latest available 
the Canadian Government has proposed a reduction ofthe  total  take 
of hooded seals in 1983 in the Northwest Atlantic by Canada, 
Greenland  and Norway from about  17,500  to 12,000. 
The Canadian authorities have indicated  that  in their view 
this wou4jd constitute a satisfactory safety margin.The  International 
Union  for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources  (IUCN), 
however, reiterated its previous position  that  the quotas should be 
significantly  reduced and  that  the hunt should perhaps even be 
ended. 
It did not consider a 20 % reduction of the New foundland 
take  an adequate response to the increased emphasis on the 
severity of the situation implied by the ICES findings. 
The Canadian authorities indicated  that  they would be ready 
to consider a further reduction based on scientific grounds and 
renewed their request  that  a meeting be held as  soon  as possible 
with  the Community and Norway on this subject and on a  joint 
research  program. 
(iv) The Canadian Government proposed a  joint  5 years research program 
on hooded seals as from 1983 (see Annex II) and invited both the 
Commmunity  and Norway to participate. 
(v) There seems  little  doubt  that  the status  ©''particularly  theliooded 
seal  requires intensified research to allow the data base to improve 
and it is likely  that  immediate action to reduce quotas would be.-
prcudent.  However, as the Commission has consistently pointed out in 
European  Parliament, in the Council and in talks  with  third countries 
the conservation issue should not be confuted  with  the objections to 
the killing of "baby  seals"  and should be dealt  with  separately. 
(vi) It must also be clear  that,  as conservation measures and research 
in that  field do not touch on the "baby  seal"  problem, even a substantial 
reduction of takes which would continue to involve "baby seals " 
would not contribute to the solution of  that  problem. 
On the other hand a reduction of the  take  resulting from import 
restrictions  will  of course contribute to the conservation of the 
species  concerned. 

5. 
4. EVALUATION  OF THE POSSIBILITIES  INHERENT  IN THE PROPOSALS  PUT FORWARD 
BY CANADA  (see Annex III) 
(i) International panel of experts to report on the seal 
hunt 
A similar proposal was already put to the  Commission  shortly 
after t he adoption of the  European  Parliament's resolution on 
seals and rejected at the time. As has  been pointed out 
earlier,  the hunting  methods  are not the central issue in 
the 'baby seal" question.  Moreover,  participation by the 
Community  in such an examination  would  imply condoning  a 
continuation of the  hunt of "baby seals»_For  these reasons 
the Commission  maintains its position that there should be 
no Community  participation in  such action.  However,  it is of 
the view that if the  Canadian  authorities  would take steps for 
an objective expert examination of  killing  methods  for the 
information of both sides this could  have merits. 
(i i) Research  programme  on hooded  seals 
This proposal has already  been considered in point 3 
(iv) to (vi) 
(i i i) Reduction of  hooded  seal catches 
In addition to point 3  (iii),  (v) and (vi) it  must be noted 
that the existing uncertainty  about the current status and 
future prospects of  harp seal stocks may also require a 
reduction of the present exploitation  level to ensure  future 
securing of the stocks.  IUCN  stresses the necessity to give 
new emphasis  to proper actions to attain conservation goals 
in the light of uncertainty  about population status and 
believes that actions should be  based  on deliberately pessimistic 
assumptions  and that catch  quotas  for harp seals should be set  more 
conservatively than heretoforeuntiI  such time as the status and 
trends in the population can be  more firmly established. 
(iv) International Sealing  Convention 
The Canadian  government  has proposed  that an international 
organization should be set up to deal with the  management 
of all seal stocks in the North Atlantic, in particular those 
in the 200 mile exclusive  economic  zone of the Parties 
(including  of course  Canada).  Such an organization could be 
established  on the  model  of existing fisheries organisations, 
namely with a  Scientific  Council delivering  recommendations 
to a Commission  in charge  of management.  This Commission 
would be responsible for  making  recommendations  to the Contracting 
Parties,  regarding  management  requirements, taking  account  of 
the scientific  advice received, ethical considerations and all 
other relevant matters. 
At present, two international organizations already deal with 
questions relating to seals :  ICES and NAFO,  respectively 
for the North East and North  west Atlantic. 
./. 

6. 
ICES is a scientific  organization and the  Community  is not a 
member of it.  NAFO,  in which  the Community  participates as 
a member,  is competent  for the  management  of species that are 
in the Convention's  regulatory area.  However,  in the 200 mile 
2one, NAFO can only deliver an opinion as the  management  of 
stocks is the exclusive  competence  of the coastal State that 
exercises  jurisdiction  in that  zone (or of the coastal States 
in case of joint stocks). 
Creating a new organization  would therefore raise on the one  hand 
the problem  of its  competences  in relation to existing organizations, 
and on the other  hand the problem  of the policy of the  Community 
as regards sealing. 
If the competence  of the organization cover only the  scientific 
aspects, then the organization  will overlap with  ICES or NAFO. 
The exploratory talks on this issue  showed  that the  Canadian 
authorities  are open to negotiate all relevant aspects of a 
Convention  and are  ready to submit  their exploitation of seal 
stocks in their 200 mile  zone to management  involving  third 
parties.  They stressed the  desirability  of joint management  of 
joint seal stocks and of  commitments  of the parties involved 
to coordinated research,  which would therefore  have to be amongst 
the central objectives of the  proposed  convention. In their opinion 
the Convention  would solve the  problem  that management  decisions 
taken by  Canada  on its own right are claimed to be biassed  because 
of the commercial  interests involved. 
In the trilateral  discussions in  Ottawa,  the Norwegian  delegation 
indicated  that, whilst considering that existing  arrangements 
were perfectly satisfactory, they could consider participation 
in such organization - but only if it dealt solely with seal 
stocks in the North  West Atlantic, and not in the North East 
At lantic. 
The Commission  for its part is extremely reserved  about  the 
Canadian  proposal since it considers that to create a new 
organization in  charge  of the management  of the seal stocks 
would not help solve the ethical  problems  raised by the  baby 
seal problem,  even if a Management  Commission  were required 
to take account  of ethical considerations.  Moreover,  it would 
involve direct  Community  responsibilities  for the  commercial  hunt 
in all its aspects. 
Moreover  since the only hunting of seals in  Community  countries 
is subsistence hunting in Greeland (which  does not in any  event 
involve baby seals) it  seems inappropriate for the  Community 
to be involved in a  Management  Commission  dealing with  what is 
essentially  a Canadian  problem  relating to their exploitation of 
a natural resource. 

5. EVALUATION  OF NATIONAL  MEASURES TAKEN TO PREVENT THE IMPORTATION  
OF SEALSKIN  PRODUCTS  LISTED  IN THE  ANNEX TO THE COUNCIL  
RESOLUTION  (A summary of  Legislative  national  measures  is given 
in Annex  V) 
(i) Six Member  States  (DK, FRG, F, IT, NL, UK)  have informed 
the Commission  of measures  already  existing  or envisaged 
concerning  the importation  of seal pup skins and products 
derived  therefrom.  One Member  State (B) has  informed  the 
Commission  that such  measures  do not yet  exist within  its 
territory  but does not exclude that they  might  still be 
taken. 
The remaining three  Member  States  (GR, IRL, LUX)  have not 
informed  the Commission  since  the adoption  of the  Council 
Resolution.  As far as the  Commission  is aware,  no measures 
exist in these Member  States. 
(ii) The  measures  taken (or envisaged)  can be  summarised  as 
follows  : 
- in three Member  States  (F, FRG and UK)  agreements have 
been reached  by the Fur  Trade,  either  with or without 
participation  on behalf  of public  authorities,  to 
voluntarily  ban imports  of the  products concerned 
(UK : for 1  year from 1 March 1983) 
- one Member  State  (IT) has  taken measures  to prohibit 
imports  of seal pup skins 
- one other Member  State  (NL) has  taken measures  to 
prohibit  imports  of all seal skins 
- three Member  States  (F, UK and FRG)  have taken 
surveillance  measures 
- one Member  State  (UK) has  required  all seal products 
to be labelled  as such,  including  where  the seals were 
taken 
- one Member  State  (DK) has  just announced  that its 
authorities  are taking steps  to prevent imports  of the 
products concerned without  giving  any indication  as to 
the nature  of such measures. 
(iii) The  information  available  to the  Commission  at the 
moment does not yet  allow a definitive  evaluation  of all 
aspects  of these measures.  However,  it should already  be 
noted that, since  not all Member  States  have taken mea­
sures, imports  can  still take place  in some Member  States. 
This clearly  risks  creating  artificial  barriers  within  the 
Community,  as products  which  are in  free circulation  can 
not enter  into Member  States  where  measures have been  taken 
Such measures would  therefore  in principle  be contrary  to 
Article  30 of the  Treaty. 

8. 
They might be justified  on the b.-;sis of Art. 36 or for reasons 
of consider protection but it is observed thet the question  whether 
such measures  are proportionate to the objective  pursued  inevitably 
arises. 
As far cS voluntary  measures  are concerned it should furthermore 
be stressed that they can all be  changed  at any moment  and, in  fact, 
that the agreement  reached in the United  Kingdom  only applies to 
one hunting season. 
For all these reasons the only way to arrive at a quick and 
effective  solution,  which will not lead to  artificial  barriers 
within the Community  appears  to be a binding instrument laying 
down a uniform rule for the  whole  of the Community. 
(iv) The  Commission  has given further thought to the  possibility  inherent 
in marking  systems  for seal skins and products derived therefrom. 
This has also  briefly  been discussed with the  Canadian  and Norwegian 
authorities,  which reacted  more favourably to the idea of such a 
system than to that of an import ban. According to the available 
experience such  systems  are technically feasible although there 
would be considerable  difficulties  regarding  certificates  of 
origir,  identification,  control and  scope  of application.  Moreover, 
even the adoption of  harmonised  system  at Community  level would 
do little  to remove  the uncertainties of the  market  and clearly  would 
only respond in part to the concern of Parliamentary and public opinion. 
For these reasons the  Commission  has been forced to conclude that 
the introduction in the  Community  of a compulsory  labelling  system 
would not in practice allow to solve the  problem. 

6. Cone L us i ons 
i. The Commission  considers that recent conversations with 
Canada and Norway  have not introduced  elements  which  would 
enable the doubts  expressed  by public opinion  on the 
baby seal hunt to be  dissipated. 
ii. The Commission  shares  the  opinion that  it is  necessary 
to intensify  the scientific  efforts  on conservation 
problems  for the  species  concerned  and has the  intention 
of pursuing with  Canada  and Norway  discussions leading  to 
a substantial reduction  in the  take of hooded  seals. 
iii. On the  other hand the Commission  would  underline that  the 
reinforcement  of scientific  work and of  measures  leading 
to an improved  management  of the  stocks (in particular  by 
a reduction  of the  quotas of hooded  seals)  are not  such as 
to deal with the  problems  which are the  object of the 
preoccupations expressed  by public opinion.  But the 
Commission  considers that  measures  tending  to reduce 
substantially  the baby seal hunt  will also contribute 
to improving  the  conservation status  of the  species 
concerned. 
iv. Having  carefully  examined  the Canadian  proposals concerning 
the conclusion  of an  international convention relating  to 
the management  of the  seal populations  in the  whole  North 
Atlantic  (or  limited  to the  North West  Atlantic)  the : 
Commission  considers that  such a Convention  would  not solve 
thè problem  of the  baby seal hunt and that, on the  other 
hand, the conservation questions  can  appropriately  be dealt 
with in the  other existing international bodies  (NAF0,ICES, 
CITES).  Therefore  it does not recommend  to the  Council  to 
enter into negotiations with  a view to the  conclusion  of such 
a Convention. 
v. Moreover,  the Commission  does not believe that  it would be 
useful to participate  in a panel on hunting  methods  such 
as has been suggested  by the  Canadians  because  such a^panel 
would not address  itself  to the  Community's  main problem. 

- 10 -
vi. The  Coirmiss  ion has examined the rational neasures token or 
envisaged and is of the opinion  that  they can in the main be 
justified so far as concerns, the provisions of the Treaty. 
vii. However, the Commission is of the view  that: 
- these measures are very disparate and their conparative 
evaluation is for this reason very difficult; 
- the maintenance of the present situation risks 
provoking distortions and discriminations 
- this; unclear situation cannot overcome the uncertainties bearing 
upon the fur  trade  as a whole which have led it to come dewn in 
favour of a clear ban. 
viii.  The Commission accordingly considers  that  the^e  is an obvious need 
for har  r.ioni  sat ton. 
ix. In the light of the available experience the Commission does not 
consider  that  the introduction in the Community of a compulsory 
labeling system would be the appropriate solution for the problems 
raised by the hunting of baby seals. 
x. Taking account of the above observations the Commission is led to 
the conclusion  that  it should maintain as it stands the proposal 
transmitted to the Council on  19 October  1982. 

ANNEX  I 
SUMMARY  OF THE MAIN  SCIENTIFIC  CONCLUSIONS  CONCERNING  THE  STATUS  OF  HARP  AND  HOODED  SEALS 
NCC - May 1982  
HARP  SEAL 
In the NW Atlantic management has halted the previous dramatic decline to  less  than half 
the unexploited  size.  On the available evidence, it is uncertain whether this stock -
for which the range of current estimates is 1-2 million animals - is increasing or de- -
creasing  although any change in  size  can only be  small. 
HOODED  SEAL 
The position of the hooded  seal  is in every respect more serious. On the available 
evidence  management measures appear to have only reduced the rate of decline rather than 
halted it. Although it is apparent  that  major declines have occured, there is at present 
no reliable method for estimating the population  size  of for monitoring the status of 
stocks. 
NCC advice to the Commission concerning  both  species : 
Present  uncertainty about current status and  future  prospects : Commission to take all 
action  within  its competence to reduce level of exploitation and to ensure  future  securing 
of these populations. A particularly relevant measure would be to impose a ban on trade 
in hooded  seal  products  until  scientific evidence shows the ban to be no longer necessary. 
NAFO  - June 1982  
HARP  SEAL 
The rapid decline in population  size  prior to 1971 was halted,  with  the imposition of quo­
tas .in 1971. Although calculations of stock  size  and replacement yields could be taken 
as implying  that  the NW Atlantic stock can sustain a quota considerably in  excess  of 
the current one, this is likely not the  case. 
It is not possible to say  with  certainty  that  the population is increasing under recent 
catches. 
ICES,  October 1982  
HARP  SEAL 
Population  estimates : late 60's  1,2-1,6  million - 77-80  1,5-2,0  million. „„„ „„ 
1977-80  were 
The Working Group concluded  that  the pup production and'1 + population prior to whelping in/ 
likely to have been higher than in the late 1960's but  that  the possibility of no 
increase  or a slight decline is not negligible. 
HOODED  SEAL 
The Working Group concluded unanimously  that  the analyses of available data are insufficient 
to provide reliable estimates of current pup production, stock  size  and vital rates and 
hence  to determine population trends on  that  basis.  This conclusion also applies to the 
evaluation of the present management measures. 
IUCN,  December 1982  
HARP  SEAL 
Actions  should be based on deliberately pessimistic assumptions,with broad safety factors 
to allow for uncertainties. Catch quotas should be set more conservatively than heretofore, 
until  such  time  as the status and trends in the population can be more  firmly  established. 
HOODED  SEAL 
In recognition of the unique circumstances and the much more dangerous level of uncertainty 
surrounding the status of the hooded  seal  populations it is recommended to significantly 
reduce  quotas, perhaps even a cessation of the  hunt. 
It is noted  that  a 20% reduction proposed by the Canadian government cannot be considered an 
adequate response. i 

ANNEX II 
Research on  Hooded  fle&ls in 1983 
•'· Fisheries  Research. Branch 
Department  of Fisheries  and Oceans 
'. SU John'B, Newfoundland.  . 
Survey' of pup  prodnc iJori of hoOded  goals at the Front 
a) 'A systematic  aerial survey using black and white  vertical  photography 
villi be conducted to 'estimate the  number  of pups born -at the Front 
during March 1983. jThls survey  will bo conducted fiom  March 17 to 27. 
The strategy  will be |to  locate patches of breeding  seals (using  a 
^yfitematlc  search  pattern  and/or  information  from other  aircraft, 
research  activities,  a'nd sealing  vessels),  to delineate  these patches 
as to size and location,  and then to photograph  them from 1000 ft 
altitude*  Either  complete coverage or systematic sampling  will be 
carried Out, depending  upon the size of these patches and  Logistical 
constraints.  Each patch of whelping  seals  will be marked  both with 
colored dye and a  radio transmitter  to allow identification  and 
repeated  estimates of the earns yroupSa 
i 
b) [Concurrent  with the abov-s-survey, an  effort  will be made to collect 
I" ground-truth"  data which  will be used to  correct  photographic 
'estimates  of pup production. The e^cact  details have not yet  been 
[worked out but a  helicopter  will likely be used to  mark out areas on 
Ithe pack Ice  within which low  altitude  counts (by  helicopter)  will be 
Jm&de of pups and tsdultB.  These  marked  areas  will simultaneously be 
! photographed by the survey  aircraft  from 1000  ft. With  this approach 
jit may be  possible  to determine the  visibility  bias for pups as wall as 
I the fraction  of females which  have whelped; both  factors  are required 
| to satisfactorily  calibrate  the photographic survey. 
Incident*!  to this ground-truth data  collection  effort,  an attempt,  will 
be made to tag some hooded  sea! pups. It la  «xpeeled  that perhaps 
100 pups may be tagged. 

Possibilities  for joint research  between  Department of  Fisheries  and 
Oceans and the European Economic  Community  include: 
.1. Biological  studies on hooded  ..seals in the Davis  Strait,  March 1984. 
a. Ground-truthing of whelping patches to  complement  the DFO  aerial 
photographic  census of pup production. Correction  factors  for 
visibility  bias and proportion whelped are required. 
b. Tagging of bluebacks in the whelping  sites. 
c. Biological  sampling of 1+ animals at the whelping patches, to 
determine sex and age composition and maturity and  fertility  rates. 
Up to 1000 males and 500 females  will be taken in  this scientific 
sampling program. 
This propo*sed research  will require one large ice-strengthened vessel 
with helicopter  garage and one or two  helicopters.  The study  will last  about 
10 days with an  addition  perhaps of 10 days of  transit  time, and  will require 
6-8 scientific  personnel and a  total budget of about  $200,000.00. 
2. Biological  Sampling at Greenland 
It is proposed that 2-3  scientific  personnel  collect biological 
data and specimens from hooded seals taken by  local residents of 
southern  and southeastern Greenland, during the period Hay to September 
1984. Catch  statistics  and other information about the hunt could be 
collected.  Main bases of operation would be the Julianehab and 
Angmagssalik  districts  and a total budget of about  $75,000.00  would be 
needed. 

Environment  Council 
December  17, 1982 ANNEX III 
Canada - EC Understanding on  
thé Seal Hunt 
1. Canada  and the EC decide to  establish  a Preparatory 
Commission  on the  seal hunt. Norway  is invited  to be a 
Member of the Preparatory  Commission. 
2. The Preparatory  Commission  is charged with the following 
mandate: 
(a) to establish  an international  panel of experts 
to report on the  seal hunt; to select its members; 
to determine  its terms of reference  which shall 
include a report on the harvesting  methods  employed 
and on such  ethical  considerations  which members  of 
the Preparatory eoinmi'Ss"loh bring ro  ires' -actenctoti 
or which are raised by expert  members  of the panel; 
to provide for its financing and the production of 
its report. 
(b) to report on the  economic  significance  of the hunt 
to communities  dependent  upon it. 
(c) to prepare the  draft of an International Sealing 
Convention  whose mandate  shall be to propose 
regulatory  measures  for seal stocks in the North 
Atlantic;  to provide a  forum for consultation and 
cooperation  between  parties  and to recommend 
programs  of scientific  research. All species of 
phocid seals in the Convention area  would be within 
the competence  of the Convention. 
(d) to establish  a new research  program  aimed at 
improving the  scientific  information on the stocks 
of hooded seals and to provide for its financing. 
(e) to consider a reduction of the catch of the  Northwest 
Atlantic  hooded  seal stock in order to permit  this 
reduction  to take  effect for the 1983  hunt. 
3. The Preparatory  Commission  shall take account of public and 
parliamentary opinion in the Parties to  this Understanding 
in all aspects of its  work. 
...12 

2 
4. 
5. The Preparatory  Commission  shall begin its  work at the 
earliest practical  date and in any  case before  ( Date ). 
The Preparatory  Commission  shall report to the  Parties 
to this Understanding  by ( Pate ) and thereafter  as the 
parties decide. 

DRAFT AMMEX IV 
lndepcndent  panpl_r.f experts  to assess the humane  aspects  of currently 
v · approv ed" technin•*es  fer the harvesting  of seals in the  Northwest  Atlantic 
'•'••'seal hunt. 
Objectives:  The  panel  will be charged  with the following-specific 
responsibilities:  _7 
1. To""  consider published reports  on and to  observe  current  methods  of 
slaughter  used in the  commercial  hunt for young seals on the  ice, 
from pre-slaughter stunning  until  death  occurs  and skinning  is 
completed,  and to  assess for humaneness. 
2. To provide  an opinion  on the  extent  to which methods  used in the 
commercial  hunt for young seals meet  recognized  criteria  for "pre-
slaughter stunning",  "humane  slaughter",  and "humane  death"  as 
defined  in a)  Federal  legislation  relating  to humane  slaughter 
of food  animals  in Canada;  b) recommendations,  of the  Federal-
Provincial  Wildlife  Conference  Committee  for 'Humane  Trapping; 
c) existing  legislation  relating  to humane  slaughter  of animals 
in Europe. 
Comcosition: 
2. Members of the  panel will have a background  in • veter inary' or 
human medicine and internationally  recognized  competence  in 
one or more of the  following fields: 
a) Euthanasia 
b) Neurology 
c) Slaughter-house  practice 
d) Ethology 
Conditions: 
1. The competence  and objectivity  of the nominees  must be recognized 
by each nominating  party. 
2. The panel will meet with and be  briefed by the Humane  Practices 
Committee  of the Canadian  Veterinary Medical Association  as well 
as the Committee  on Seals and Sealing,  to ensure familiarization 
with particulars  of marine mammal physiology. 
3. Representatives  of the  above"1 named Committee  of the CVMA will 
accompany  the panel in its travel to sealing operations  and will 
be available for consultation during  the deliberations  of the 
panel. " ' 
. . ./2 

-2-
4 . The entire  group iu to be  provided  with its own independent 
moans of transportation  from field operations  headquarters 
to the sealing operations. 

f.aiid:J submits  the foTlowing  names for  consjderation 
»i p.j^er.tiaj  fr.c-mbevs  of the  independent panel  of experts, having 
takerj  L:-.-;e to suggest  candidateii  who are  unlikely  to be  biased 
w»eh rssr.er.t  to sealing.  Canada  invites  the EEC to cowment, or 
vis appropriate,  to make  "iternalive  suggestions  for mutual 
consjderation  . 
It is recommended  that, a list of at  least nine mutually 
acceptable  candidates  be compiled. Consequently,  the EEC  Commission 
i.houid submit  additional  names for  mutual  consideration.  Agreement 
.'iiould  tht-n be reached  as to the  priority  to be  assigned  to epch 
,n terms of the  final  list of six  panel members, as some of the 
individuals  proposed  may not be  available  to participate  in this 
assessment. 
Dr. T.M. Leach 
Agriculture  Research Council 
Meat Research  Institute,  University  of Bristol 
Lower Landford 
Bristol 
Prof. Dr. G. \ on Mickwitz 
Klinik fur Kleine Klauentiere 
und forensische Medizin 
Tierarztliche  Hochschule,  Kannover 
Leach and von  Mickwitz  are co-authors  of Report 
No. 50 of the  Directorate-General  for Agriculture 
of the Commission  of the  European  Communities, 
entitled  "Review  of pre-slaughter stunning  in 
the E.C." 
Dr. Roger  Eubank,  Scientific  Director 
Universities  Federation  for Animal Welfare 
8 Hamilton Close 
South Mimms 
Potters  Bar 
Herts, England  ENG 5QD 
Dr. Eubank  has wide experience with large animal 
behaviour . 
/ - 1 
. . . / -

Dr. W.T. Jackson 
(Secretary,  Veterinary Ethology Society) 
Min. Agriculture,  Fisheries  and Food, U.K. 
Medwyn House 
Mount Field Road „j 
Lewes, East Sussex 
England 
EN7 2XP 
Dr. Jackson  is familiar  with regulatory  programs 
and experienced  in large animal slaughter techniques. 
Temple Grandin 
Livestock  Handling Consultant 
Tempe, Arizona,  U.S.A. 
Ms. Grandin  has wide experience  in large animal handling 
and slaughter  house operations.  She is a  predate con­
sultant and has  designed several important abbatoirs. 
J.R. Geraci ,  V..M.D.  , Ph.D. , 
Professor  of Wildlife  Diseases, Department of Pathology 
Ontario  Veterinary College, 
University  of Guelph. 
Specialist  in Marine  animal patho-physiology  and diseases 
Member of the  Committee  of Science Advisors  of the U.S. 
Marine Mammal  Commission 
Past President,  IAAAM [International Association for 
Aquatic  Animal Medicine) 
Author of over 60 scientific papers on marine mar.r.al 
medicine  and physiology. 

ANNEX V 
LEGISLATIVE  NATIONAL MEASURES TAKEN TO 
PREVENT THE IMPORTATION OF  SEALSKIN  PRODUCTS 
- ".n the  Netherlands  a voluntary  ban by the  furtrade since  1970 
was ToTlofted"  by Genera  I Administrative  Order  ne 454 of 
4 Septembar  1980, which brought  Section  3 of the  Endangered  Exotic 
Animal Species  Act of 8  January  1975 into force for  amongst 
other things  d<°ad specimens  and recognizable parts (skins  ans 
parts of rkins) of all phocid seals, trade  in which is prohibited 
without a licence.  The Netherlands  Government  justified  this 
measure on species conservation  grounds. 
- By Ministerial  Decree of 8 June 1978 the  import of phocid 
sealskins  and products  thereof into  Italy was submitted 
to ministerial  authorization. Tradein skins  of adult seals 
which are not  considered  to be  threatened  under  international 
conventions,  will be authorized. Skins  under 50 cm in  length 
yith a hairlength  of more  than 2.5 cm,  however,  may not be 
imported.  Although  the Decree is based on conservation  grounds, 
the policy  of not  licensing  the import of skins of newborn  seals 
isbased on grounds  of public morality. 
- In the  United Kingdom  the Trade Descriptions (Sealskin  Goods) 
(Information)  Order 1980 requires that sealskin  goods  first 
imported  into,or  made in, the United Kingdom  on or after 
1st January  1981 shall be marked when advertized  or supplied  to 
retail customers.  The information  must be sufficient  to convey 
to persons  acquiring  the goods that they are sealskin  goods 
and in what country or geographical location  the relevant 
seals were taken.