NEWS RELEASES
EGGLETON MEETS WITH SIR LEON BRITTANTO DISCUSS FUR REGULATION
December 11, 1996 No. 241
EGGLETON MEETS WITH SIR LEON BRITTAN
TO DISCUSS FUR REGULATION
The Honourable Art Eggleton, Minister for International Trade, met today in
Singapore with Sir Leon Brittan, Vice-President of the European Commission (EC),
to discuss the status of the European Union (EU) fur regulation and present the
concerns of the Canadian fur industry.
"I am pleased with the outcome of our meeting," said Mr. Eggleton. "Sir Leon
Brittan has assured me of his continued support on this issue and clearly stated
that a European Union-wide ban would not come into effect on January 1, 1997.
Canada was very disappointed with the position taken by a number of European
environment ministers when they met earlier this week," added the Minister.
During the meeting of EU environment ministers, some ministers opposed the
International Agreement on Humane Trapping Standards, which Canada had initialled
on December 6. The agreement would establish trapping standards and ensure the
humane treatment of fur-bearing animals in all countries party to the agreement,
including those of the EU -- which unlike Canada are not taking any independent
steps to establish trapping standards of their own.
The EU was to take measures to implement an import ban on January 1, 1997,
applying to the furs of 13 species, some of which are taken with certain forms of
leghold traps. On the basis of this agreement, Sir Leon confirmed that the ban
would not take effect January 1, 1997.
The fur industry in Canada employs up to 100 000 people, including approximately
80 000 trappers of whom close to half are Aboriginal people, and generates up to
$600 million worth of economic activity annually.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Nicole Bourget
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 996-6271
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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