MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Canada prepared to challenge EU ban on seal products in WTO

Canada pledged on Tuesday it would launch a World Trade Organization challenge of the European Union's planned ban on seal products, unless the EU agrees to exempt humane and sustainable sealing.

“If the EU imposes a trade ban on seal products it must contain an exemption for any country, like Canada, that has strict guidelines in place for humane and sustainable sealing practices,” Trade Minister Stockwell Day said. “If there is no such acceptable exemption, Canada will challenge the ban at the World Trade Organization.”

The European Parliament voted on Tuesday to ban imports of seal product. Day said EU member states still have a chance to reverse the parliamentary decision at the EU council of ministers. The bill when finally promulgated will apply when the next commercial seal-hunting season in 2010.

The decision has strong public opinion support in the EU and groups that promote the defence of animals against cruel actions.

“It will have an economic impact for Canada but should not have consequences for relations with the EU” said EU Labour MP Arlene McCarty.

“Economic relations between both regions represent 25 billion Euros and trading of seal related goods only 4.5 million Euros”, argued McCarty.

However the ban which has already been implemented by the United States and Canada will be extensive to such goods as caps, gloves made out of seal skin, but also to seal meat, oil, organs and grease, plus the pharmaceutical produce such as Omega 3 supplements.

Canada, Greenland and Namibia are responsible for 60% of the 900.000 seals slaughtered annually worldwide.