India follows more than 36 countries that have banned trade in commercial seal products for animal welfare and conservation reasons, including the twenty-eight European Union member states, the United States, Taiwan and Russia.
The notification was issued as a result of exhaustive campaigning for the ban by the Humane Society International, India and People for Animals who exhorted the Government of India to take a clear moral stand by closing its doors to the trade of seal products.
Lauding this policy stance that is compatible with the anti-cruelty laws of India, trustee of People for Animals and Humane Society International, India’s government liaison, Gauri Maulekhi, said, “We commend the Directorate General of Foreign Trade for its firm commitment in abolishing the import of seal skins.” Some time ago, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade had similarly prohibited the import of exotic skin and leather, and foie gras, an extract from the liver of ducks.
