Seal skin sporrans?

[sfb]

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Strasbourg backed the ban on the use of seal products by a majority of 550 to 49. Individual EU nations are endorsing the decision. The UK is scheduled to enact the ban in August this year. The implications for sporran makers, retailers and hire companies in Scotland are not yet clear. It is probable that making sporrans from sealskin will be completely banned. However, it seems likely that sporrans already made can be sold or hired. How this will be policed is not clear. Perhaps we will need to carry evidence that our sporrans predate the ban.

I'm sufficiently sad/bored/odd that I tried to find out if anybody knows what'll actually happen. Going by this excerpt from Scottish Parliamentary questions last year...it doesn't look like it.

"Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the concerns of the Highland dress and tartan sectors about the implications of the recent vote by MEPs to prevent the manufacture and sale of sealskin products.


Jim Mather: The proposal to ban trade in seal products across the EU is a reserved matter. There will not be a total ban on sealskins in sporrans under the proposals. Inuit products from seals, sourced using traditional methods could still be traded. Also, non-commercial seal products which are by-products of marine management could still be used. There has been widespread concern about the inhumane nature of many seal hunts and the Scottish Government supports the tightening of trade in seal products. However, it also supports measures allowing sporrans manufactured in Scotland to be made from seal skins in a traditional way.



Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what it envisages that the financial implications will be for the Highland dress and tartan industry of the recent vote by MEPs to prevent the manufacture and sale of sealskin products.

Jim Mather: We have indication that the industry will consider alternatives, such as using bovine hides, pony skins, rabbit furs or synthetic materials for the manufacture of sporrans. Our important export markets for sporrans in the United States will not be affected, as seal skins are already banned in the US. Therefore we envisage that the financial implications will be minimal."

I have to say I was under the impression that the intention was for the legislation to be retrospective, and would catch all seal products, not just "new ones", but I'm no' sure where I heard that.

Still, there'll clearly be plenty work for the Sporran Polis, whatever happens.