Tag Archive: Norway

An interesting spat has broken out at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) wherein Canada and Norway have complained about the hunting of seals and the implications of the EU’s Regulations covering seal hunting and the import and sale of seal goods. The story is carried in the Norwegian edition of The Local and it would appear that Canada and Norway have been joined by Iceland in their appeal to the WTO.

Seal hunts around the world are governed by different rules and regulations. In some countries comprehensive systems are in place, while in others the seal hunt is regulated to a lesser degree. Within the EU, certain methods and means of capture and killing are prohibited in areas protected under EU nature law (the Habitats Directive). See Regulation (EC) No 1007/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on trade in seal products.

The European Union is concerned about the animal welfare aspects of the seal hunt. Doubts have been expressed about some of the methods used for hunting seals, such as shooting, netting and clubbing, that can cause avoidable pain and distress. Several EU Member States were considering, or had already introduced, national legislative measures to ban the import and use of seal skins and seal products. In the light of these concerns, on 16 September 2009 the European Parliament and the Council adopted a Regulation banning the trade in seal products in the European Union. It applies to seal products produced in the EU and to imported products. The aim of the Regulation is to ensure that products derived from seals are no longer found on the European market. The Regulation was published in the Official Journal on 31 October 2009, entering into force on 20 November 2009. The ban itself entered into force 9 months after the entry into force of the Regulation (i.e. 20 August 2010).

The Regulation foresees limited exemptions to respect the fundamental economic and social interests of Inuit and other indigenous communities. It also contains exceptions for goods derived from seals for personal and non-commercial use and for goods derived from seals hunted for the sole purpose of the sustainable management of marine resources on a not-for profit basis and for non-commercial reasons. See Commission Regulation (EU) No 737/2010 of 10 August 2010 which lays down detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1007/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on trade in seal products. .

The WTO’s procedure for resolving trade quarrels under the Dispute Settlement Understanding is vital for enforcing the rules and therefore for ensuring that trade flows smoothly. A dispute arises when a member government believes another member government is violating an agreement or a commitment that it has made in the WTO. The authors of these agreements are the member governments themselves — the agreements are the outcome of negotiations among members. Ultimate responsibility for settling disputes also lies with member governments, through the Dispute Settlement Body. Further detailed background can be obtained from the WTO website here.

Whether one agrees with culling seals, for whatever reason and by whatever method, or not, is not the point of this post. The reason I have highlighted this matter is to demonstrate the complexity of trade negotiations and the fact that elements of world government do exist – and that Norway and Iceland, not being a full members of the EU, can fight their own case whereas the United Kingdom cannot due to the EU claiming competence.