uglyelk
01-13-2010, 12:28 PM
Canwest News ServiceJanuary 13, 2010 11:03 AM
A young harp seal rests on the ice off the coast of Cape Breton island, Nova Scotia, Mar. 31, 2008.Photograph by: Paul Darrow, ReutersOTTAWA — Members of Canada's Inuit community have launched legal action against the European Union for banning the importation of seal products.
The lawsuit, filed in the European General Court Wednesday, seeks an "annulment" against the Sept. 16 decision, according to a news release by the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami — which promotes the interest of Canada's Inuit.
"Inuit have been hunting seals and sustaining themselves for food, clothing, and trade for many generations," said Mary Simon, the group's president. "It is bitterly ironic that the EU, which seems entirely at home with promoting massive levels of agri-business and the raising and slaughtering of animals in highly industrialized conditions, seeks to preach some kind of selective elevated morality to Inuit."
In July, the majority of the EU's 27 member states gave final approval to a ban on importing seal products.
The proposed law, which comes into effect this spring, essentially eliminates all trade of seal product imports.
It's estimated the prohibition will result in a $2.4-million loss for the Canadian industry.
Canada is fighting the decision, arguing that it is in direct violation of World Trade Organization guidelines.
© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service
A young harp seal rests on the ice off the coast of Cape Breton island, Nova Scotia, Mar. 31, 2008.Photograph by: Paul Darrow, ReutersOTTAWA — Members of Canada's Inuit community have launched legal action against the European Union for banning the importation of seal products.
The lawsuit, filed in the European General Court Wednesday, seeks an "annulment" against the Sept. 16 decision, according to a news release by the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami — which promotes the interest of Canada's Inuit.
"Inuit have been hunting seals and sustaining themselves for food, clothing, and trade for many generations," said Mary Simon, the group's president. "It is bitterly ironic that the EU, which seems entirely at home with promoting massive levels of agri-business and the raising and slaughtering of animals in highly industrialized conditions, seeks to preach some kind of selective elevated morality to Inuit."
In July, the majority of the EU's 27 member states gave final approval to a ban on importing seal products.
The proposed law, which comes into effect this spring, essentially eliminates all trade of seal product imports.
It's estimated the prohibition will result in a $2.4-million loss for the Canadian industry.
Canada is fighting the decision, arguing that it is in direct violation of World Trade Organization guidelines.
© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service