According to the press communiqué of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, she welcome Norway’s request to the World Trade Organization (WTO) for the establishment of a dispute settlement panel in connection to the European Union’s ban on seal products: She said that Norway’s decision to join Canada in requesting the establishment of a dispute settlement panel by the WTO, encouraged her. Canada welcomes Norway’s support for our position that the European Union’s ban on seal products is groundless.
Shea further added that her government has consistently and firmly maintained that the Canadian seal hunt is safe, sustainable and economically legitimate. She also said that while the value of the seal harvest may appear negligible to the anti-sealing lobby, it provides important income for thousands of families every year in remote coastal and northern communities. We will continue to ensure that Canadians have the opportunity to harvest seals in a safe, sustainable and humane manner.
