Seal skin sporrans?

**Andrew M. Stewart** · 24th March 10, 09:06 PM

Does anyone know when the ban takes effect? I'm wondering if L&M are going to keep making them since they are based in Canada.

**McMurdo** · 25th March 10, 03:44 AM

A quick google search tells me it's in effect, perhaps you should contact L&M regarding this.

**OC Richard** · 25th March 10, 05:00 AM

I guess you're talking about a Canadian ban? They've been banned in the USA for decades. What about Scotland?

It was interesting when, in the 1980's, I visited a sporranmaker in Scotland who had a closet full of badger pelts which he could not use because they were banned in Scotland, though sealskin was perfectly fine (and still is, as far as I know).

Even the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders began getting their badger sporrans from North America (I could tell because the faces of British badgers and North American badgers look quite different.)

**auld argonian** · 25th March 10, 05:30 AM

Just as an aside, I remember a lot of references to sealskin coats being popular back in the early part of the twentieth century...I'm trying to find some references that will give me a more specific timeline but they're just not popping out. Just thought that it would help date the point at which the fur became popular.

Best

AA

**Canuck of NI** · 25th March 10, 06:13 AM

Based on simple observation, sealskin has indeed been banned in the US for some time now. The EU supposedly has agreed to allow the import of sealskin from native bands in Canada, on the stated 'moral' basis that they are practically the sole source of earned income possible for said bands, but the same native bands are now starting to ban the import of European wine, and also scotch whiskey, into their areas, as a real but also symbolic protest against the EU's real-world boycott of the sealskin product- allegedly the EU countries are not actually allowing imports as they agreed. Perhaps if native children had as big brown eyes as the seals do....

Since we do like to see our own people live in dignity, it is highly unlikely that sealskin products will ever be banned in Canada.

**Andrew M. Stewart** · 25th March 10, 09:11 AM

The ban hasn't taken effect yet as all of the Scottish companies selling sporrans that I've looked are still selling them. The ban includes existing stock. Seals are about the most un-endangered species out there.

**Canuck of NI** · 25th March 10, 09:51 AM

Now I'm wondering if there is some new ban I haven't hear of in effect- or looming or something. Can you share any such info, AMS?

**Semiomniscient** · 25th March 10, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Andrew M. Stewart

....Seals are about the most un-endangered species out there.

Not doubting you, but then why are they protected so fiercly in the U.S.?

**azwildcat96** · 25th March 10, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Semiomniscient

Not doubting you, but then why are they protected so fiercly in the U.S.?

3 words...animal rights activists.

Too much publicity of "bad" men with clubs harvesting the animals! A very disturbing visual image to the American public!

Just my opinion.

**Canuck of NI** · 25th March 10, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by azwildcat96

3 words...animal rights activists.

Too much publicity of "bad" men with clubs harvesting the animals! A very disturbing visual image to the American public!

Just my opinion.

Three more words: Big Brown Eyes

and three more words: Cute Seal Pups

and four more words: Not Our Incomes Involved.