THE traditional sporran, which has been part of Highland dress for centuries, could be under threat because of proposals to ban the trade in seal pelts.
Stavros Dimas, the European environment commissioner, yesterday announced plans to bring in a total import ban on products derived from seals that have been killed in a cruel way.
The move was welcomed by animal rights groups and the government, which say it is the only way to put a stop to the inhumane slaughter of seals.
However, manufacturers of traditional Highland dress believe it could spell disaster for the sporran – the vast majority of which are made from seal skin.
Ian Chisholm, who owns a Highland dress business in Inverness, estimates 70 per cent of the dress sporrans it sells are made from seal pelts, and believes a ban would put an end to part of Scotland's heritage. "I think it would be very sad," he said. "Seal skin has been a traditional skin used by the Highlanders for many years. It would be a sad day for the Scotsman if we lost the use of seal skin."
He said the ban would lead to the production of all-leather or synthetic sporrans. "They never have the same appearance or feel to them," he said. "Seal skin suits the look of the Highland dress because of its coloration."
However, Ross Minett, the campaigns director at campaign group Advocates for Animals, believes it is high time the use of seal skin was stopped.
"The wearing of fur generally in Scotland is seen as unacceptable by the majority of the public," he said. "Sporrans are one of the few things where it's still seen as publicly acceptable to wear fur.
"I think most people aren't aware that sporrans in this country were made from seals clubbed in Canadian seal hunts."
Under the Brussels plan, trade in seal products would be allowed from countries that can guarantee their hunting techniques follow high welfare standards.
David Martin, a Scottish Labour MEP and animal rights campaigner, is worried the proposals do not go far enough. He said: "Having first called for this ban over 23 years ago when I visited the ice floes in Canada and witnessed the inhumane carnage which takes place during the annual cull, I am pleased the commission has at long last come forward with proposals for a ban in the trade in seal products.
"However, the proposals are open to abuse – much of the killing takes place in remote areas where effective monitoring of humane killing would be impractical."
A ban would need the backing of the EU's 27 governments and the European Parliament before it could take effect.
It could be the end for traditional sealskin sporrans
BANNED sporran products include:
Badger heads: These were very popular in the military. The whole head was used, giving the sporran a ferocious look.
Wild cat heads: Wild cats were once common in the Highlands and their heads made popular sporrans. Now the animals are rare and protected.
Otter skin: Otters were popular for their silky pelt, which gave the sporran a beautiful sheen.
Arctic fox: The long fur made it a popular choice for taller men.
The full article contains 533 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
