by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (DEC 09/96) - Canada's fur trade hangs in the balance as the European Union decides if it will ban the industry from its markets.

The European Union has threatened to stop the import of furs for the last two years. It considers all leg hold traps inhumane, except for those set to kill in water.

The union's decision, expected today, comes at a time when the trade is beginning to gather momentum after a serious decline in revenue in the early 1980s.

Reports indicate that there are more active trappers participating in the fur harvesting this season than over the past half-decade.

"The industry is slowing picking up again," said Heidi Trautmann, manager of the Aklavik Fur Ltd.

A fourth-generation furrier, Trautmann has seen many ups and downs over the 25 years she's been involved in the industry. However, she feels confident about the state of the industry over the past year.

Beaver fur coats manufactured in Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk are now making their way to furriers around the world. These furs were featured in fashion shows held recently in Yellowknife.

The coats are made by students enroled in a fur garment program at Aurora College, said to be the first course of its kind in Canada.

The program is an effort to manufacture more Canadian furs within the confines of the nation.

To date, 70 to 80 per cent of Northern pelts have been sold to European markets after they go through one of three auction houses in Canada, located in Vancouver, Toronto and North Bay.

Fur harvest revenue dropped from nearly $6 million in 1986-87 down to under $1 million in 1992-93.

But revenues increased last year to more than $1 million.

Ian Ross of the Department of Resources is confident that revenue will be over the million dollar mark again this year.

He said there will likely be a guaranteed minimum price put in place for trappers.

"This will make it easier for harvesters to know what they will receive," he said.

Ross said that there is room for expansion for the fur trade into the Pacific Rim countries. This expanding market combined with the continuing trade market in Europe is believed by many in the industry to be setting the stage for its comeback.

"It's a good, solid resource," said Ross. "Trappers realize that it's in their best interest to be responsible trappers."

The strength of the industry also hinges on the type of traps used. To bill the industry as a humane one, the department has exchanged more than 100,000 leghold traps for quick-kill traps over the past six years. Ross, and many others, believe that the future looks bright for Canada's fur trade. And as one of the country's largest fur producer, this bright future indeed looks promising for the North.