National Inuit Leader Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Acknowledges Canada's Actions at the WTO Regarding EU Seal Ban

 

On behalf of Inuit in Canada I acknowledge Canada’s actions against the European Union ban on the import of Canadian seal products by requesting World Trade Organization (WTO) consultations. Inuit have consistently spoken out against such a ban, and have encouraged Canada to take immediate action at the WTO.

 

I am pleased to see this formally taking place. I also take note of the press release issued by the Minister of International Trade Stockwell Day in which this action has been announced. I also want to confirm the comment in the press release from Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Strahl in which he has essentially repeated a message Inuit have stated directly to the European Union regarding the exemption for Inuit products. I have in fact stated that based on past experience the exemption for Inuit is useless because once the market is eliminated for seal products, it is eliminated for Inuit products as well.

 

I urge Canadians to reflect on who this  ban is really affecting and think twice before supporting animal rights groups who have consistently misinformed EU parliamentarians, and citizens in Europe regarding this issue.