extend to the killing and skinning of seals as such, it is also necessary to take
action to reduce the demand leading to the marketing of seal products and,
hence, the economic demand driving the commercial hunting of seals. In
order to ensure effective enforcement, the harmonised rules should be
enforced at the time or point of import for imported products.
(11) Although it might be possible to kill and skin seals in such a way as to avoid
unnecessary pain, distress, fear or other forms of suffering, given the
conditions in which seal hunting occurs, consistent verification and control
of hunters’ compliance with animal welfare requirements is not feasible in
practice or, at least, is very difficult to achieve in an effective way, as
concluded by the European Food Safety Authority on 6 December 2007.
(12) It is also clear that other forms of harmonised rules, such as labelling
requirements, would not achieve the same result. Additionally, requiring
manufacturers, distributors or retailers to label products that derive wholly
or partially from seals would impose a significant burden on those economic
operators, and would also be disproportionately costly in cases where seal
products represent only a minor part of the product concerned. Conversely,
the measures contained in this Regulation will be easier to comply with,
whilst also reassuring consumers.
(13) In order to ensure that the harmonised rules provided for in this Regulation
are fully effective, those rules should apply not only to seal products
originating from the Community, but also to those introduced into the
Community from third countries.
(14) The fundamental economic and social interests of Inuit communities
engaged in the hunting of seals as a means to ensure their subsistence should
not be adversely affected. The hunt is an integral part of the culture and
identity of the members of the Inuit society, and as such is recognised by the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Therefore,
the placing on the market of seal products which result from hunts traditionally conducted by Inuit and other indigenous communities and which
contribute to their subsistence should be allowed.
(15) This Regulation establishes harmonised rules concerning the placing on the
market of seal products. It is therefore without prejudice to other Community or national rules regulating the hunting of seals.
(16) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be
adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999
laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers
conferred on the Commission.
(17) In particular, the Commission should be empowered to define the conditions
for the placing on the market of seal products which result from hunts
traditionally conducted by Inuit and other indigenous communities and
contribute to their subsistence; to define the conditions for the import of
seal products which is of an occasional nature and consists exclusively of
goods for the personal use of travellers or their families; and to define the
conditions for the placing on the market of seal products resulting from
Regulation 1007/2009 on Trade in Seal Products, 2009 (As amended by. . .
213
action to reduce the demand leading to the marketing of seal products and,
hence, the economic demand driving the commercial hunting of seals. In
order to ensure effective enforcement, the harmonised rules should be
enforced at the time or point of import for imported products.
(11) Although it might be possible to kill and skin seals in such a way as to avoid
unnecessary pain, distress, fear or other forms of suffering, given the
conditions in which seal hunting occurs, consistent verification and control
of hunters’ compliance with animal welfare requirements is not feasible in
practice or, at least, is very difficult to achieve in an effective way, as
concluded by the European Food Safety Authority on 6 December 2007.
(12) It is also clear that other forms of harmonised rules, such as labelling
requirements, would not achieve the same result. Additionally, requiring
manufacturers, distributors or retailers to label products that derive wholly
or partially from seals would impose a significant burden on those economic
operators, and would also be disproportionately costly in cases where seal
products represent only a minor part of the product concerned. Conversely,
the measures contained in this Regulation will be easier to comply with,
whilst also reassuring consumers.
(13) In order to ensure that the harmonised rules provided for in this Regulation
are fully effective, those rules should apply not only to seal products
originating from the Community, but also to those introduced into the
Community from third countries.
(14) The fundamental economic and social interests of Inuit communities
engaged in the hunting of seals as a means to ensure their subsistence should
not be adversely affected. The hunt is an integral part of the culture and
identity of the members of the Inuit society, and as such is recognised by the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Therefore,
the placing on the market of seal products which result from hunts traditionally conducted by Inuit and other indigenous communities and which
contribute to their subsistence should be allowed.
(15) This Regulation establishes harmonised rules concerning the placing on the
market of seal products. It is therefore without prejudice to other Community or national rules regulating the hunting of seals.
(16) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be
adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999
laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers
conferred on the Commission.
(17) In particular, the Commission should be empowered to define the conditions
for the placing on the market of seal products which result from hunts
traditionally conducted by Inuit and other indigenous communities and
contribute to their subsistence; to define the conditions for the import of
seal products which is of an occasional nature and consists exclusively of
goods for the personal use of travellers or their families; and to define the
conditions for the placing on the market of seal products resulting from
Regulation 1007/2009 on Trade in Seal Products, 2009 (As amended by. . .
213