Discuss this articleShare your views with other visitors, and read what they have to say
Canada is taking a strong stance against countries that have enacted or are planning to enact import bans with regard to Canadian seal products. The Canadian government issued a statement at the end of July on its intention to challenge Belgium at the WTO over a ban on the importation and marketing of seal products, in force since April this year.
Animal right groups worldwide strongly oppose the annual North-Eastern Canadian seal hunt, which they claim is cruel and unsustainable. Belgium is the first country to impose a full ban, soon to be followed by the Netherlands. Belgium itself does not import any seal products, while several other European countries do. The European Parliament has also called for a Europe-wide ban.
“Sealing is an important way of life for many Canadians, including Inuit and other Aboriginal peoples,” commented Loyola Hearn, Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. “It is important that we pursue these consultations to maintain access to markets for all those involved in the sealing industry.” The Belgian ban exempts seal products produced by Inuit and aboriginal people. These groups say, however, that the ban undermines the market as a whole, thus making the exception meaningless.
Livelihoods in the areas of Newfoundland and Labrador are suffering the consequences of the collapse of the cod fishery in the mid-nineties, which has never recovered. While seal products such as pelts bring in C$33 million in annual revenues, the Humane Society of Canada claims that the government subsidises the seal hunt to the tune of C$20 million each year. This year, 270,000 seals will be killed. According to Ottawa, the healthy seal population amounts to 5.5 million animals.
If the consultations initiated at the WTO between Canada and Belgium do not lead to a mutually-accepted solution, Canada has the right to request the establishment of a dispute settlement panel 60 days after the initial request for consultations.
“Seal appeal pits animal rights v. trade,” GLOBE AND MAIL, 1 August 2007; “Canada seeks WTO consultations on Belgium seal products ban,” AFP, 31 July 2007; “Canada Files Complaint at WTO Against Belgium Over Seal Ban,” BLOOMBERG, 31 July 2007; “Canada Fights Belgian Ban on Seal Trade at WTO,” REUTERS, 31 July 2007; “Canada To Request WTO Consultations On Belgium’s Ban On The Importation Of Seal Products,” FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE CANADA RELEASE, 31 July 2007.
Add a comment
Enter your details and a comment below, then click Submit Comment. We’ll review and publish the best comments.