Ottawa to argue against EU ban of seal products at international hearing

GENEVA, Switzerland – An international trade organization will hear arguments from Ottawa today in an appeal of a landmark ruling that upheld the European Union’s ban on imported seal products. Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq said she will argue at the three- day World Trade Organization hearing in Geneva what the Tories have steadfastly defended – the seal harvest is humane, sustainable and well- regulated. “Any views to the contrary are based on myths, misinformation and misguided emotion,” said Aglukkaq said in an opinion editorial released Sunday. “Canadian coastal and northern communities continue to depend upon the humane seal harvest as a vital economic activity and they should have every right to do so.” A WTO dispute settlement panel upheld the EU’s embargo on imported seal products in November, saying that while it undermines fair trade, those restrictions can be justified on “public moral concerns” for animal welfare. At issue was a challenge by Canada and Norway of the 28- member EU’s 2010 ban on the import and sale of seal fur, meat, blubber and other products. Aglukkaq said the ban undercuts the livelihood of sealers who rely on the industry to support their families. Animal rights advocates say the commercial hunt is a needless slaughter and have called the trade ruling a major victory that protects aboriginal hunts. But critics of the decision, including Inuit hunters, said the European ban and others like it all but wipe out major international markets. They also warned of a dangerous precedent that could be used against other commercial animal products such as beef, pork and poultry.