Canada files sealing action in WTO

SANDY PARKER REPORT, VOL. 31, ISSUE 31, OCT. 8, 2007
The following extract is reproduced with permission from Sandy Parker Reports, Weekly International Fur News. Sandy Parker has been covering the fur industry for more than four decades. For most of that time he has published a weekly newsletter, detailing results of international pelt auctions, wholesale price trends, business developments and movements in the trade, as well as economic and political activities that may impact on it.
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International Fur News
with Sandy Parker
Canada files sealing action in WTO
THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT HAS INITIATED A FORMAL DISPUTE with the European Union over the seal issue. This confirms earlier indications (SPR, Aug. 13) that Canada would seek procedures through the World Trade Organization (WTO) to address the recent ban by Belgium on the importation and marketing of seal products. In its complaint, Canada included The Netherlands, saying that bans on seal products by both countries are against the rules of the WTO. Earlier this year, Belgium became the first EU country to ban trade in seal pelts and The Netherlands indicated it was set to follow suit. Italy and Luxembourg have stopped granting licenses for trade in seal products, while Austria, France, Germany and the UK are all considering laws in that direction or would support EU-wide legislation.
Canada’s argument will be that the Belgian and Dutch policies are rooted in misinformation spread in large part by anti-sealing groups. According to International Trade Minister David Emerson, the bans violate the countries’ obligations under WTO rules and are not based on science. The annual seal hunt has long been condemned by animal activists who maintain the slaughter is cruel, impossible to monitor and hurts seal stocks. Emerson disputed those claims, saying research by the Fisheries Department shows the hunt is humane and follows responsible conservation practices.
SEPTEMBER PROVED TO BE OF LITTLE HELP TO FUR RETAILERS anxious to get an earlier start on their selling season than in recent years, largely for the same reason: the continuation of summer’s temperatures. Although a few cooler days earlier in the month provided a pickup in store traffic, the activity quickly quieted down when the mercury climbed back up. This was the report not only from most Americans surveyed last week, but also from the important markets in Europe and the Far East.
IN THIS ISSUE:
September Retail Proves Dull…
…but Retailers Are Confident
Wholesale Markets Are Quiet
Canada Files Action in WTO…
Sues Belgium, Holland on Seals
For extracts from back issues of Sandy Parker Reports see News Index. Subscribers can access an archive of complete issues at www.sandyparker.com.
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