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THE INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT
ON The International Agreement on Humane Trapping Standards was indoctrinated by Canada, Russia and the European Union (EU) in December 1996. In July of the same year, the General Affairs Council (GAC), composed of the European Union's Foreign and Trade Ministers, voted to accept the Agreement as negotiated. The Agreement achieves these primary objectives: · insuring the continuation of access to Canadian wild fur into the European Union market · creating a breakthrough for animal welfare as the
first international agreement that sets scientific measurements
for humane methods of trapping devices In fact, all animal rights
groups reject the concept for a standard that measures human
ways for trapping. · Last year in Canada, approximately one million wild fur-bearing animals were trapped for their fur and/or to provide food. In the European Union, approximately five million fur-bearing animals were trapped as pests, the carcasses thrown away. · prohibiting the use of conventional steel-jawed leg hold restraining traps within two full trapping seasons, plus one year · testing existing killing and restraining traps within five years · Making certain that the competent authorities establish a trap certification process; and using the best efforts to put in place appropriate licensing, regulations and trapper education. In the Northwest Territories, the conventional steel-jawed leg hold trap has already been banned. Whether the existing trapping systems that are to be tested over the next five years meet the standard is unknown. Consequently, both the necessity to replace these traps and the availability of traps that meet the standard are also currently unknown. The economic impact on the trapper will remain unknown until more trap testing is completed. This agreement has resulted from a successful partnership involving governments, aboriginal organizations and the fur industry. The successful implementation of the Agreement will require the same commitment. Effective communications on the implications of the Agreement will be critical. The Agreement now creates stability in the market and an opportunity to strengthen the industry for the benefit of aboriginal trappers and their communities. The fur industry, along with fishing/sealing, forestry and tourism, are seasonal activities closely associated with the social and economic welfare of many aboriginal communities.
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