Brussels, 29/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - Canada and Norway are clashing swords with the EU on 29-30 April at the WTO, arguing that the European ban constitutes trade discrimination.
On Monday, the WTO transmitted by video conference the second public hearing, after the one in February, as part of an examination by its dispute settlements panel of the complaint by Canada and Norway against the EU embargo on the import and marketing of seal derived products (DS400 and DS401 at the WTO, see EUROPE 10789). This ban was adopted by the EU in 2010 because of the inhumane and cruel nature of seal culling.
On Monday, the EU argued that scientific evidence demonstrates that the methods of slaughter are inhumane, such as the use of the hakapik, a wooden club with a metal hammerhead used for killing seals before they are skinned. The EU has also highlighted the broad public support in Europe for this ban. Canada and Norway have refuted these arguments and have underlined its discriminatory nature because it only affects seal products manufactured in Sweden and Finland. The EU contests this argument and argues that the Swedes and Finns do not use the same methods of slaughter.
The text that Ottawa and Oslo contest is Regulation 1007/2009/EC, which has been in force since 20 August 2010. This imposes a total ban on imports and the marketing of seal derived products. The only exemptions included in it are for the marketing of products derived from traditional hunting practices by indigenous communities, such as the Inuit for subsistence. The not-for-profit marketing of seal derived products, which come from hunting regulated by national legislation can also be authorised if this kind of hunting focuses exclusively on the sustainable management of fish stocks. Finally, the products used for medical research can also be authorised.
Canada and Norway initially submitted separate appeals to the WTO in November 2009, following the adoption of the regulation in September that same year. The WTO disputes settlement body set up a special panel to examine the two complaints in April 2011, the verdict on which is expected in the next few months. On 25 April, the EU General Court confirmed the European ban (see EUROPE 10836). (EH/transl.fl)