Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper denounced the EU for imposing an import ban on seal products and said on Thursday the government would seek a special panel review of the ban at the WTO.
Harper said the ban discriminates against Canadian sealers, who are hardworking people of modest means.
“This is flagrant discrimination against the Canadian seal industry, against Canadian sealers ... people who are doing animal husbandry, no differently than many other industries,” he said.
PHOTO: AP/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Harper called the EU’s decision a disgrace, that was not based on rational facts.
The ban was to be implemented yesterday, but has been delayed because of a European General Court of Justice decision on a challenge launched by a Canadian Inuit group, which argues that the ban would threaten their livelihood.
Mary Simon, president of Tapiriit Kanatami, which represents Canada’s 53,000 Inuit, said the delay was to give the court time to review the Inuit appeal.
“I can only hope that the EU court will determine that the ban and its so-called Inuit exemption are illegal,” she said in a statement. “That would be a fitting conclusion to this totally unjustified action by the European Parliament.”
Animal welfare advocates called the court setback temporary and said it ultimately wouldn’t change the fate of the seal hunt.
“The EU court may wish to look more closely at the ban, but the court of public opinion around the world is clear — the seal slaughter is uniquely cruel and no market wants the pelts,” said Dan Mathews of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Canada has already filed a complaint with the WTO arguing the ban is a violation of the EU’s trade obligations.
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