Investing.com - Financial Markets Worldwide
🚀 ProPicks AI Hits +34.9% Return!Read Now

European top court upholds EU ban on seal imports

Published 2015-09-03, 07:44 a/m
© Reuters. European top court upholds EU ban on seal imports

BRUSSELS, Sept 3 (Reuters) - A European Union ban on imports
of seal products not derived from the traditional Inuit seal
hunt is legal, the 28-nation bloc's top court ruled on Thursday.
The Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice rejected an
appeal brought by an association representing the interests of
Canadian Inuits - Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami - and seal product
manufacturers against a ruling from a lower court in 2013.
"By today's judgement, the Court dismisses the appeal in its
entirety," the Court said in a statement.
The association of Canadian Inuits had disputed the legality
of the ban on the grounds that its objective - the protection of
animal welfare - was not an exclusive competence of the EU.
The EU ban, which arose over concerns of brutality in the
seal hunt, has been challenged by Canada and Norway in the past.
Canada's main seal hunt takes place in March and April on
ice floes off the Atlantic Coast and in the Gulf of St.
Lawrence. The seals are usually shot or bludgeoned over the head
with a spiked club called a hakapik.
The Human Society, an animal protection group, said it was
"overjoyed" by the ruling.
"It is time for the sealing industry to finally realise that
this landmark legislation, which enjoys the support of millions
of EU citizens, is here to stay," said Joanna Swabe, executive
director of Humane Society International/Europe.
Seal products include fur for clothing and oil that is used
in vitamin supplements.

Latest comments

Install Our App
Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.