The European Commission’s Fitness Check of the EU legislation on trade in seal products is ongoing, with the final report expected later than initially planned. This review is both timely and necessary, as the current framework — in force since 2009 — has led to unintended negative effects that go beyond its original purpose.

Across parts of northern Europe, seal populations have recovered thanks to decades of conservation efforts. However, this success has created growing conflicts with small-scale coastal fisheries, where seals increasingly cause substantial economic losses. Although seal management and hunting continue in several Member States, harvested animals cannot be placed on the market under current EU rules. In other words, you’re allowed to hunt seals, but you’re not allowed to sell them — a paradox that undermines both sustainable resource use and community benefit.

The Fitness Check therefore provides a vital opportunity for the European Union to reconsider whether its policy framework remains fit for purpose. It should ensure that the EU’s approach to wildlife management reflects its global commitments to the sustainable use of natural resources, as set out under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Some Members of the European Parliament are also questioning how the European Commission intends to address this problem, (e.g. link) underlining the need for the to consider socio-economic impacts on coastal communities and to ensure that EU policies are fully consistent with sustainable use principles.