MURDERING LIARS & THUGS PLEAD WITH, THEN THREATEN EU, OVER SEAL BAN

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Animal rights activists protest against Canada's seal hunt in front of the Canadian embassy in Madrid in this file picture. Photo: Reuters

 

 

 

July 27, 2009 - 4:49PM

 

 

Canada has appealed to

the European Union to "reconsider" the adoption of a ban on the sale of

seal products, and warned it would consider bringing up the issue with

the World Trade Organisation.

"We are calling on

the European Union to reconsider the proposed seal products trade ban,"

said a statement from International Trade Minister Stockwell Day and

Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea."Canada

has clearly lived up to its obligations, and our position remains that

any ban on a humanely conducted hunt such as Canada's is completely

without cause," the statement said.

The European

Parliament in May voted to endorse an EU ban on seal products in

protest against commercial hunting methods, but it will only become law

once it is adopted by the Council of the European Union.

The

statement on Sunday said the council could take up the proposed ban as

early as today. If approved, it would come into force by 2010's seal

hunting season.

Ottawa argues that the ban should

not target its seal products because it imposes regulations ensuring

humane hunting inside its borders.

"Should the EU

choose to adopt a seal products trade ban that does not contain an

acceptable derogation for humanely harvested seal products, Canada will

defend its rights and interests under the relevant World Trade

Organisation agreements," the statement said.

About 6000 Canadians take part in seal hunting each year along the Atlantic coast.

The

Canadian Government authorises the slaughter of 338,000 seals per

season, and says the survival of the species is not in danger. The

popularity of seal hunting has dropped along with a decline in demand

for seal products.

However, seal hunting is a

particular feature of Inuit communities in the country, and the

ministers' statement on Sunday made reference to the ban's impact on

that population.

"We are particularly concerned

that no one in the European Union has listened to the Inuit on this

matter. This misinformed and ill-considered regulation will strike at

some of Canada's most vulnerable communities," the statement said.[WARNING: BS Alert!] "However, seal hunting is a

particular feature of Inuit communities in the country, and the

ministers' statement on Sunday made reference to the ban's impact on

that population."TRUTH: This ban has no repercussions WHATSOEVER on the Inuit. They are exempt and can continue to kill their same allotted quota of 6,000 souls per year!~END~