Agreement on Edible Seal Products an Achievement
for Newfoundland and Labrador Sealing Industry

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, says the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased that the Government of Canada has achieved an agreement with China for the sale of edible seal products. The Provincial Government has been working with the Canadian sealing industry to pursue options for development of edible seal products in the global marketplace. This has included initiatives to expand the sales of new products in developing markets such as China.

“Our government has approached this issue from a number of perspectives,” said Minister Jackman. “We have been actively pursuing the issue of gaining entry for edible seal products into the Asian marketplace by working with Federal Government officials who have been pursuing the agreement. I also met with trade officials from the Chinese embassy last October and raised the issue at that time.”

Minister Jackman has been in Beijing, participating in the China Fur and Leather Products Fair, as part of the Canadian delegation which is being led by the Honourable Gail Shea, federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

The key markets for Canadian seal skin products have been China and Russia for some time. However, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador supports full utilization of the seal and has been working with industry to build markets for other seal products.

The Canadian sealing industry participates in a humane, sustainable and economically important harvest. It is an essential aspect of managing seal herds which now stand at three to four times the population levels of the 1970s. It is estimated that eight to nine million harp seals consume the equivalent of approximately 10 per cent of the world’s harvest of wild fish.

“This is a crucial market option for the Canadian sealing industry,” said Minister Jackman. “They will now have better access to one of the world’s largest markets for seal products. China will have better access to high quality products that are derived from a sustainable industry and renewable resource. This agreement is a win for all parties. Our government looks forward to working with the sealing industry to pursue this tremendous opportunity.”

The China Fur and Leather Products Fair has attracted prominent international fur and leather auction houses and companies from Russia, Canada, Finland, Demark and Hong Kong. The fair attracted over 300 companies and 11,000 visitors in 2010.

While in China, the minister also had an opportunity to attend a cooking demonstration for Canadian seafood that included a taste testing by local retailers and invited guests. He also visited the fish and seafood market in Beijing.

“This year’s fair and additional events provide examples of the opportunities that exist within the Chinese marketplace,” said Minister Jackman. “It is critical that we continue to grow existing markets. I am very glad to have participated in the show and have the opportunity to endorse this agreement with China. It was also encouraging to see the opportunities for growth in the seafood market in China. Expanding Canadian seafood sales in the Chinese marketplace will also continue to be a priority for our government.”