EU takes aim at Canada, bans seal products

[The Straight Story]

EU takes aim at Canada, bans seal products

By CONSTANT BRAND – 34 minutes ago

STRASBOURG, France (AP) — The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to ban imports of seal products, including fur coats and even some omega-3 pills, in an effort to force Canada to end its annual seal hunt, the world's largest.

The Canadian government reacted sharply to the move, with Trade Minister Stockwell Day promising that Ottawa will challenge the ban and take the 27-nation bloc to the world trade body if the new law does not exempt Canada.

The strain in relations came on the eve of a key summit between Canada and the European Union in Prague where they are expected to launch negotiations on a wide-ranging free trade agreement.

The European Parliament voted to endorse a bill that said commercial seal hunting, notably in Canada, is "inherently inhumane." EU governments still need to back the law, but officials called that a formality and said the ban is expected to take effect in October.

The EU ban will apply to all products and processed goods derived from seals, including their skins — which are used to make fur coats, bags and adorn clothing — as well as meat, oil blubber, organs and seal oil, which is used in some omega-3 pills.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gmyGqfWSNhmBma6m8RguatiPzfMQD980C4TO4

[LakeSamish706]

1. This is awesome and long overdue.... It's about time this happened....

Canada was just thumbing it's nose at the world by continuing this barbaric hunt.