EU ban on seal trade upheld on 'moral' grounds
ATTEMPTS to overturn an European Union ban on buying and selling seal products across the continent have failed.
In May 2009 MEPs voted to ban the trade of seal fur and products, a move which campaigners hoped would stop the massacre of the animals.
The Canadian and Norwegian governments appealed against the ban, saying seal hunting was necessary in their countries to help maintain fish stocks and the selling on of fur and other products contributed to their economies.
Today, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) dismissed the appeals despite ruling that the ban breached international trade agreements.
Instead, it upheld the EU's decision on the basis of a public morals clause.
The verdict was welcomed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
Robbie Marsland, UK Director of IFAW, said: “The report from the WTO panel is a victory for seals, animal welfare and Europeans.
“EU leaders can be proud that they have simultaneously protected seals, represented the needs of their citizens and respected EU obligations under the WTO – that is not a simple task.”
The WTO panel found the main portion of the EU ban is compatible with WTO law.
It ruled the EU can ban the trade in seal products on the basis of public moral concerns over animal welfare.
The panel also recognised that seal hunting inherently leads to poor animal welfare outcomes because of the circumstances and difficulties of the hunt.
Despite the ban, seal products from Inuit and indigenous hunts can be sold in the EU - something which the WTO argued broke trade agreements, although this was not deemed sufficient reason to turn over the ban.
A total of 34 countries now ban the trade in seal products, including the 28 countries of the EU, Russia and the US.
Canada and Norway have 60 days to appeal against the verdict.