Canada loses World Trade Organization appeal as EU seal products ban upheld

GENEVA – Canada has lost its bid to overturn a World Trade Organization ruling that Europe’s ban on seal products is justifiable.

A WTO appeal panel has upheld a previous ruling that the EU ban is “necessary to protect public morals” but it agrees exemptions to the ban have not been fairly applied.

Canada appealed a November ruling that said while the EU seal ban undermines fair trade, those restrictions can be justified on “public moral concerns” for animal welfare.

At issue was a challenge by Canada and Norway of the 28-member EU’s 2010 ban on the import and sale of seal fur, meat and other products.

The WTO appeal panel agrees with the November ruling that exemptions do not give the same market access to Canadian and Norwegian seal products as those from Greenland.

The federal government says the appeal decision confirms the ban is “arbitrarily and unjustifiably applied” and violates Europe’s international trade obligations.

Ottawa says it’s still assessing the decision, but animal welfare groups are calling today’s ruling a victory.