OTTAWA - The federal government took the first step Monday in its fight against the European Union's ban on trade in seal products by requesting consultations with the World Trade Organization.
Minister of International Trade Stockwell Day said consultations are the first stage in the organization's dispute settlement process.
"Canada is standing up for its sealers," said Mr. Day. "The EU has adopted a regulation that bans the sale of Canadian seal products. We believe that this is a violation of the EU's trade obligations."
The government wants the EU to put a clause in the new bill allowing countries, such as Canada, to be exempt if their seal hunt meets international humanitarian, scientific and environmental guidelines established by the union in 2006.
The majority of the EU's 27-member states voted in July to approve the ban. The ban eliminates all trade of seal product imports such as pelts, oil and meat.
Canadian officials say a prohibition would mean a $2.4-million loss for the Canadian industry, which is the largest in the world.
The EU ban comes into effect in August, 2010.
