EU ban on all seal imports set to raise trade tensions

Article reports that the European Parliament took the club to seal hunters on the 5 May 2009, voting in favour of proposed legislation to ban imports of all seal products in a move set to raise trade tensions with Canada and Norway.

ESO: Background information: Environment: Commission proposes trade ban in products from seals to improve animal welfare http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-environment-commission-proposes-trade-ban-in-products-from-seals-to-improve-animal-welfare/

ESO: Background information: Animal welfare aspects of the killing and skinning of seals: Scientific opinion of the Panel on Animal Health and Welfare http://www.europeansources.info/record/animal-welfare-aspects-of-the-killing-and-skinning-of-seals-scientific-opinion-of-the-panel-on-animal-health-and-welfare/

ESO: Background information: Brussels plans to ban seal trading http://www.europeansources.info/record/brussels-plans-to-ban-seal-trading/

Canada: Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans: Press release, 5.5.09: Harper Government Will Defend Canada’s Humane and Sustainable Seal Hunt on the World Stage http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/npress-communique/2009/hq-ac13-eng.htm

Eurogroup for Animals: Policy areas: Trade: Seals http://www.eurogroupanimalwelfare.org/policy/seals.htm

CBC.CA5.5.09: Canada threatens WTO complaint over European seal product ban http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2009/05/05/eu-seal-ban-505.html

European Parliament: Press Release, 5.5.09: Almost total ban on seal products in the EU http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/063-54953-124-05-19-911-20090504IPR54952-04-05-2009-2009-true/default_en.htm

Norway: Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs: Marine stocks: Norwegian coastal seals http://www.fisheries.no/marine_stocks/mammals/seals/Marine+stocks_mammals_seals.htm

Norway Post, 6.5.09: The EU adopts trade ban on seal products http://www.norwaypost.no/content/view/21981/1/

BBC News, 5.5.09: EU ban looms over seal products http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8033498.stm

EurActiv, 28.7.09: Canada vows to challenge EU seal products ban http://www.euractiv.com/trade/canada-vows-challenge-eu-seal-pr-news-222348

Canada: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Press Release, 27.7.09: Canada to Pursue WTO Consultations in Response to European Union’s Seal Products Ban http://w01.international.gc.ca/minpub/publication.aspx?publication_id=387428&lang=eng&docnum=208

EUObserver, 13.5.11: Little support for EU seal ban up north http://euobserver.com/9/32332

---