Sealskin ban in Scotland?

[beloitpiper]

Why are seal skin sporrans so important? It's not like a sporran HAS to be made from seal. Use another fur and move on...not that big of a deal.

[McClef]

Having seen some of the "fake fur" alternatives...

But I guess it's what you are used to - as I remember seal fur sporrans may not be imported into the USA.

[robthehiker]

Why are seal skin sporrans so important? It's not like a sporran HAS to be made from seal. Use another fur and move on...not that big of a deal.

I think you miss the mark on both counts. The proposed ban is not against sealskin, it's against using sealskin that has been harvested in a cruel way. Second, many opponents to using sealskin are against using any fur harvested using any methods.

[ccga3359]

"I think most people aren't aware that sporrans in this country were made from seals clubbed in Canadian seal hunts."

Under the Brussels plan, trade in seal products would be allowed from countries that can guarantee their hunting techniques follow high welfare standards.

David Martin, a Scottish Labour MEP and animal rights campaigner, is worried the proposals do not go far enough. He said: "Having first called for this ban over 23 years ago when I visited the ice floes in Canada and witnessed the inhumane carnage which takes place during the annual cull, I am pleased the commission has at long last come forward with proposals for a ban in the trade in seal products.

"However, the proposals are open to abuse – much of the killing takes place in remote areas where effective monitoring of humane killing would be impractical."

Indeed the hakapik is the most effective and humane way of killing a seal. Afterall a a hakapik has to be used to ensure that a seal that has been taken down by a bullet is indeed dead. It's a shame that it seem's only Canada (at least to me) is singled out as inhumane and not russia, Norway, Greenland or Nambia (!).
I am actually perplexed by the above (highlighted) statement as I feel that there is no humane way of killing an animal, there are crueler ways of doing it but nothing humane in the killing of an otherwise healty and docile animal. I'll continue to eat my beef, chicken or fish and although I personally won't wear seal products but until Canadian laws change I'll continue to stand by our sealers and thier methods.

[McClef]

The pictures we get shown are usually of a baby seal with its all white fur about to be clubbed. Naturally such images are designed to create a maximum revulsion.

I personally have never seen a seal fur sporran made from a baby seal, they have all had the adult spot markings.

I personally won't eat veal because of how it is produced, but I will happily tuck into a steak.

Perhaps there is a need to differentiate the difference between infant and adult seal products.

[ccga3359]

Perhaps there is a need to differentiate the difference between infant and adult seal products.

Unfortunately there is no distinction. Hunting whitecoats was banned in Canada in 1987, seals cannot be taken until they start moulting which is between 12 and 15 days old. It would seem that so many "protesters" found other things to hold their interests when baby seals were no longer photogenic! As in everything it's buyer beware, seal products aren't necessarily of adult origin.

[Fedgunner]

Unfortunately there is no distinction. Hunting whitecoats was banned in Canada in 1987, seals cannot be taken until they start moulting which is between 12 and 15 days old. It would seem that so many "protesters" found other things to hold their interests when baby seals were no longer photogenic! As in everything it's buyer beware, seal products aren't necessarily of adult origin.

One of my favorite jokes is a threat to get a white rabbit sporran and to tell one and all that it is "baby harp seal".