From The Globe and Mail:
Russia and two of its neighbours have informed the World Trade Organization that they are banning the import and export of harp seal pelts – a move that animal-rights activists are celebrating as the death knell of Canada’s commercial seal industry.
Russia has been the biggest market for the Canadian seal fur industry. And harp seals are the prime source of that fur.
So animal-rights groups were delighted on Monday to learn that Russian, Belarus and Kazakhstan had informed the WTO they would no longer import or export “raw, tanned and dressed fur skin of harp seals and their pups.” Documents filed with the global trade body suggest the prohibition was backdated to August.
The European Union has a similar ban, which the Canadian government is challenging.
I haven't seen the full details of the measure at issue, but after the Russian accession process is complete, will Canada challenge this measure?
