Ban the Cruel Seal Trade | BanSealTrade.eu

WTO Compatibilily

2^nd April 2009

Comments on the Council's Legal Service's Paper on the WTO compatibility of measures regulating the seal products trade:

We have been asked to comment on the Council Legal Services (CLS) opinion dated 17^th March 2009 on the WTO compatibility of a ban on the European Community trade in seal products.

The CLS is wrong to suggest that a ban might not comply with the WTO agreements.

The CLS opinion discusses technical aspects of WTO law. In any legal challenge, the focus is likely to be on the exception to the free trade principle contained in Article XX(a) of GATT (public morality).

Our clear opinion is that a ban on the trade in seal products would comply with Article XX(a) (and the Article XX chapeau).

The document can be downloaded here: Seals_Council WTO

Today, the European Parliament made history when it voted overwhelmingly to ban trade in seal products.

We could not have won this victory without our supporters. Advocates in Europe and around the world sent letters, faxes, and emails showing the decision-makers in the EU that people care deeply about the seals. When we all work together, we can make a real difference for seals and other animals.

Europe has been a primary market for Canadian seal products, and many believe this ban spells the beginning of the end of the slaughter; however, the fight is not over yet. That is why we will continue maintaining economic pressure on Canada's fishing industry through our boycott of Canadian seafood products. We will continue pressing for a strong law in Canada to stop commercial sealing. And we will continue to lobby other nations to ban seal products.

Thank you for being a part of this historic campaign to save the seals. I know we can count on you to stay with us as we bring a final end to Canada's commercial seal slaughter.