Signed, Sealed, Delivered: An Analysis of the Communication Tactics Used in the Development of the European Union’s Ban on Seal Products

Abstract

This article examines how various stakeholders, including national governments, animal welfare organizations, and Indigenous groups, employed different communication tactics and methods to advocate for their positions regarding Regulation 1007/2009. Deconstructing the European Union’s ban on seal products and how it came into effect provides clarity on these communication tactics and their impact on the policy. This analysis focuses on the economic and cultural consequences of the ban in the Inuit Nunangat, and how Inuit communities have created responsive communication strategies to articulate their perspectives. The European Parliament ultimately limited its focus to animal rights and welfare, neglecting to sufficiently consider the evidence-based and scientific reporting provided by the European Commission, Norway, Canada, and Inuit communities.