WTO backs EU seal fur ban over 'moral concerns'

[pampango]

Source: EU Observer

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has confirmed the EU's controversial ban on seal products, ruling that the ban was a response to "moral concerns." The ruling is significant because it is the first time that the Swiss-based WTO, which governs and enforces trade between 194 countries across the world, has backed a trade restriction based on animal welfare grounds.


It is the first time the WTO has backed a trade
restriction based on animal welfare grounds.

“EU leaders can be proud that they have simultaneously protected seals, represented the needs of their citizens and respected EU obligations under the WTO – that is not a simple task,” she added

Canada and Norway challenged the European Union’s seal products trade ban at the World Trade Organization in early 2012. Russia is now the main destination for seal products.

A common but untested belief of many was that countries were not allowed to impose trade restrictions on the basis of how a product is produced.

Read more: http://euobserver.com/economic/122237

[madeline_con]

1. "A common but untested belief of many was that countries were not allowed to impose...

trade restrictions on the basis of how a product is produced."

Does that include slave (or low wage) labor? Just curious.

[pampango]

2. The article does not say, but that is a very, very interesting sentence.

[Omaha Steve]

3. I wish the seal lady of Omaha had lived to see this

K&R for Marie!