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Thursday, August 19, 2010
Harper denounced the European Union
4:11 PM | Posted by
Gary LeDrew |
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Prime Minister Stephen Harper denounced the European Union for imposing an import ban on seal products, saying the legislation – to be implemented Friday –is a “disgrace” because it is based on “no rational facts.”
Mr. Harper, in New Brunswick for a funding announcement, said Thursday the ban discriminates against Canadian sealers, who are hard-working people of modest means.
“This is flagrant discrimination against the Canadian seal industry, against Canadian sealers ... people who are doing animal husbandry, no differently than many other industries,” he said after the announcement.
“It is a disgrace that they're treated this way in some countries based on no rational facts or information whatsoever. We strongly object to the decision. We will continue to defend our sealers.”
The Prime Minister's blunt comments came minutes after federal officials held a technical briefing in Ottawa to announce the government's next move in its battle against the ban.
The senior officials confirmed Ottawa will ask the World Trade Organization this fall to establish a dispute settlement panel that would consider whether the EU ban complies with WTO rules.
The bureaucrats, who spoke on background, said even if Canada succeeded in persuading a panel that the ban breaks the rules, it could take more than three years for the WTO to take action.
Canada's East Coast sealing industry has steadily dwindled in recent years amid a global recession, vocal animal rights protests and the looming European ban.
Mr. Harper, in New Brunswick for a funding announcement, said Thursday the ban discriminates against Canadian sealers, who are hard-working people of modest means.
“This is flagrant discrimination against the Canadian seal industry, against Canadian sealers ... people who are doing animal husbandry, no differently than many other industries,” he said after the announcement.
“It is a disgrace that they're treated this way in some countries based on no rational facts or information whatsoever. We strongly object to the decision. We will continue to defend our sealers.”
The Prime Minister's blunt comments came minutes after federal officials held a technical briefing in Ottawa to announce the government's next move in its battle against the ban.
The senior officials confirmed Ottawa will ask the World Trade Organization this fall to establish a dispute settlement panel that would consider whether the EU ban complies with WTO rules.
The bureaucrats, who spoke on background, said even if Canada succeeded in persuading a panel that the ban breaks the rules, it could take more than three years for the WTO to take action.
Canada's East Coast sealing industry has steadily dwindled in recent years amid a global recession, vocal animal rights protests and the looming European ban.
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