In March 2000, participants at the National Animal Interest Alliance Animal law Conference drafted and ratified a resolution urging the US Congress to bring the Marine Mammal Protection Act into compliance with world trade agreements so that the Inuit and other indigenous people can once again benefit from sustainable trade in abundant marine mammal species. At its May 2001 conference, the Alliance for America re-energized the effort by unanimous approval of the NAIA resolution.

Both resolutions note that seals are abundant in Canada and other regions, that indigenous people depend on seal meat and products for sustenance and trade, and that the US ban on the import of seal products severely harms native cultures. The joint effort of NAIA and the Alliance for America will help indigenous people regain their ecological relationship with their land and improve their lot through sustainable use of natural resources. NAIA congratulates the Alliance for America for adopting this resolution and urges other groups and individuals to climb on the bandwagon to fulfill the ideals expressed by participants at the NAIA March 2000 Animal Law Conference and the 2001 AfA meeting.

Resolution from the National Animal Interest Alliance Animal Law Conference
March 4-5, 2000, in Portland Oregon.

The key observation arising from the NAIA Animal Law Conference is that the promotion of animal-rights beliefs has produced unacceptable consequences that include ongoing violations of fundamental human rights.

The delegation of Inuit people from Arctic Canada have eloquently described how their culture, livelihoods and society are being devastated by the animal-rights inspired Marine Mammal Protection Act - a law which contradicts accepted principles of sustainable use and environmental conservation.

This outdated legislation arbitrarily bans the import of seal products from an abundant species and violates the American ideal of individual freedom and the rights of the people to self determination, including the right to use and trade abundant local resources.

We believe that the American people would be shocked and distressed to discover that the MMPA has so severely harmed so many people and cultures. This law disrupts the ecological relationship with which indigenous people have lived in harmony with the environment as active practitioners of sustainable use.

Seals are abundant in Arctic Canada and other regions and provide a vital source of food in Arctic communities, but provisions of the MMPA prevent Inuit and other people from fully utilizing animals upon which they depend for their survival, because trade is prohibited.

Therefore this assembly of the NAIA:

I) Calls for the amendment of the MMPA to allow for the import of seal products, to protect US commercial and recreational fisheries, and to bring the MMPA into accord with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as implemented by the Endangered Species Act and the Uruguay Round Agreements under the WTO; and,:

II) Resolves to work to inform the American public and legislators about the injustice which has been done by this law; and,

III) Calls upon all people and organizations that respect human rights to join us in our efforts to right the wrongs that have been done.

This resolution was unanimously approved by the NAIA Animal Law conference assembly in Portland, Oregon. March 5th, 2000 and ratified by the NAIA Board.

NAIA invites other groups and individuals to sign on as well by contacting president@naiaonline.org or calling (503) 761-1139. For more information, see "NAIA conference highlights human rights and animal welfare"; "US marine mammal law plays havoc with Inuit lives"; "Inuit people wait at civilization's edge for the world to notice their plight"; and "The strange politics of the Marine Mammal Protection Act steals puppets from native people".

The Alliance for America resolution

THE KEY OBSERVATION arising from the Alliance for America 11th Annual Fly-In for Freedom is that the promotion of animal-rights beliefs has produced unacceptable consequences that include ongoing violations of fundamental human rights.

The representative of the Inuit people from Arctic Canada has eloquently described how their culture, livelihoods and society are being devastated by the animal rights-inspired Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) - a law which contradicts accepted principles of sustainable use and environmental conservation.

This outdated legislation arbitrarily bans the import of seal products from an abundant species, and violates the American ideal of individual freedom and the rights of the people to self-determination, including the right to use and trade abundant local resources.

We believe that the American people would be shocked and distressed to discover that the MMPA has so severely harmed so many people and cultures. Indigenous people attempt to live in harmony with the environment as active practitioners of sustainable use. The MMPA disrupts this ecological relationship.

Seals are abundant in Arctic Canada and other regions and provide a vital source of food in Arctic communities, but provisions of the MMPA prevent Inuit and other people from fully utilizing animals upon which they depend for their survival, because trade is prohibited.

Therefore this assembly of the Alliance for America:

I) Calls for the amendment of the MMPA to allow for the import of seal products, to protect US commercial and recreational fisheries, and to bring the MMPA into accord with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as implemented by the Endangered Species Act and our agreements under the WTO; and,

II) Resolves to work to inform the American public and legislators about the injustice which has been done by this law; and,

III) Calls upon all people and organizations that respect human rights to join us in our efforts to right the wrongs that have been done.

Passed unanimously May 20, 2001, 12:30 p.m.
[Signed] Dale E. Anderson,
President, Alliance for America
(www.allianceforamerica.org)