Postmedia News
OTTAWA — Canada has launched a challenge at the World Trade Organization against the European Union ban on Canadian seal products.
Fisheries Minister Gail Shea made the announcement Friday in Ottawa.
Shea said the government was "deeply disappointed" the EU hadn't changed its position regarding the ban.
A report tabled this week from the House of Commons parliamentary committee on trade suggested the seal issue could hurt the chances that the Canada-European Union free trade agreement would be ratified.
MPs on a fact-finding mission to Europe reported hearing complaints on matters that had nothing to do with the proposed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, including Canada's seal hunt.
"The committee heard that Canada must develop a better communications strategy on sensitive issues like the seal hunt and the visa requirement for nationals of certain European countries," the all-party committee said in the report tabled Wednesday.
"Although these irritants are not part of the CETA negotiating agenda, they could affect ratification of any future agreement."
The European Parliament, which holds sessions in Brussels, Belgium and Strasbourg, France, gained veto powers over trade deals in the Lisbon Treaty that took effect in 2009.
Canada is hoping to announce later this year an agreement-in-principle that would slash tariff and non-tariff barriers that affect trade and investment.
Read more: http://www.canada.com/Canada+challenge+seal+World+Trade+Organization/4264918/story.html#ixzz1Df7oAaJj
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