Brussels, 28/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - Canada is going to ask the WTO to open consultations with the EU on this latter's decision of 27 July to ban the trade in seal products (see EUROPE 9949). “We firmly believe that this breaks WTO rules. … Canadian hunting meets the conditions set by the EU itself. There is no justification for a trade decision not to be based on scientific facts and, for that reason, we are going to appeal against the decision,” said Canadian Trade Minister Stockwell Day. The main Canadian Inuit organisation, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, says that the EU decision is an “abomination” which directly attacks the cultures, communities and means of subsistence of many people. The ban will come into effect from the next hunting season, 2010. The EU will only allow the sale of seal products from traditional Inuit hunting methods for non-money-making ends. The regulation, which is neither protectionist nor discriminatory, was prepared very carefully to ensure that it complied with the EU's international commitments, said Lutz Güllner, Commissioner Ashton's spokesman, who said that the European Commission would “vigorously” fight its corner if the matter were referred to the WTO. Consultations will begin 60 days after submission of the request, which Ottowa intends to make in the next few weeks. (E.H./transl.rt)