IQALUIT - Nunavut hunters will be able to export seal meat and oil to China after the federal government signed an exclusive deal with the Asian country on Jan. 12.

Canadian and Chinese officials signed the agreement in Beijing on Jan. 13. It has been a year in the making.

"This is a great opportunity to promote exchange and the selling of products in China," said Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq in Iqaluit while in town on other business.

Present to witness the signing of the agreement was Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea, Nunavut's Minister of Environment Daniel Shewchuk and his counterpart from Newfoundland and Labrador.

As of Jan. 13 Canada is the only country permitted to export edible seal products to China under the new agreement. Products eligible for export include smoked and cured meats, terrine and omega 3-rich oil supplements.

This is good news for Nunavummiut especially after the European Union imposed a ban on imports of Canadian seal products in 2009.

"I think it is particularly good news because of the size of the Chinese market and the rapid growth of the Chinese economy," said Mary Simon, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

She said this could open the door up to other markets in Asia.

"China seems to see through the myths and distortions that have been widely disseminated by animal rights groups," Simon said.

Simon and Aglukkaq both said they still support fighting against the European Union ban. They also said there is an abundance of seals in the territory.

Excited too about the news were members of Qikiqtarjuaq's Nattivik Hunters and Trappers Organization. It was scheduled to have a meeting the evening of Jan. 13 to discuss how this deal with China would affect its members.

Sealers will not need new certifications and DFO has stated it will run information sessions which sealers need to attend each year in order to renew their licences.

China is the third largest export market for Canadian seafood products with an average of over more than million in exports annually. According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, in 2008 more than $3 million worth of edible seal products was exported from Canada worldwide.

In a press release, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Cathy Towtongie said NTI hopes the agreement would replace some of the lost income by the ban imposed by the European Union.

"We have to continue to fight groups to fight on the ban of such products that put animals before human health," said Aglukkaq.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.