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<p><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">July 31, 2007 <i>(2:30 p.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 102</span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">CANADA TO REQUEST WTO CONSULTATIONS ON </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">BELGIUM’S BAN ON THE IMPORTATION OF SEAL PRODUCTS</span></span></p>
<br>
<p>The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of International Trade, the Honourable
<span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency</span>, and the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and
Oceans, today announced that the Government of Canada will seek formal
consultations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement process to
address Belgium’s ban on the importation and marketing of seal products. </p>
<br>
<p>“This government believes that the Belgian ban on the importation and marketing of
seal products is a violation of Belgium’s international trade obligations under the WTO,”
said Minister Emerson. “We will work with the European Union and Belgium to seek a
positive resolution to this issue.”</p>
<br>
<p>“Sealing is an important way of life for many Canadians, including Inuit and other
Aboriginal peoples,” said Minister Hearn. “It is important that we pursue these
consultations to maintain access to markets for all those involved in the sealing
industry.”</p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">“We have continually conveyed our opposition to this ban through our embassy in
Brussels and at the highest levels</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">,” said Minister MacKay</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">. </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">“</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">It is regrettable that we have
had to come to this point, but Canada’s government will fight bans of this kind on all
fronts—people’s liv</span>elihoods are at stake.”<span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Belgian legislation banning the importation and marketing of seal products entered into
force in April 2007. WTO consultations would be a step toward encouraging Belgium to
comply with its international commitments. If consultations do not settle the dispute,
Canada could request the establishment of a WTO panel to adjudicate the case.</span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center">- 30 -</p>
<br>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
<p>Jennifer Chiu<br>
Press Secretary<br>
Office of the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and
the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics<br>
613-992-7332</p>
<br>
<p>Trade Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada<br>
613-996-2000<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071116045453/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Jennifer Kelly<br>
Media Relations<br>
Fisheries and Oceans Canada<br>
613-990-7537</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Natalie Cruikshank<br>
Office of the Minister<br>
Fisheries and Oceans Canada<br>
613-992-3474</span></p>
<br>
<p>Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada<br>
613-995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071116045453/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
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