The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has continued to meet with European Union (EU) representatives in Ottawa on the proposed EU ban on Canadian seal products. The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs, just returned from meetings in Ottawa with a number of EU Ambassadors and senior diplomatic staff. The ministers met with representatives of Portugal, Latvia, Austria, Ireland, Greece, Netherlands, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, United Kingdom, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Romania, Germany, Poland and the European Union delegation to Ottawa. These meetings follow up on letters that the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, wrote to EU Ambassadors regarding the province�s position on the proposed ban.

"The European ambassadors and representatives that we met with were very receptive to the information that we shared with them," said Minister Hedderson. "The discussions were open and candid and I believe they now have a better understanding that our seal harvest is very well-regulated and plays an important role in the Canadian marine ecosystem. We have every confidence that they will return this information to their member states and EU parliamentarians. As well, we have been asking that the member states support us in requesting that the EU delay the vote on the proposed legislation to ban Canadian seal products."

The European Parliament is expected to vote on the amended seal ban legislation in early May 2009. The Council of Ministers, comprised of a representative from each of the 27 member states, is currently reviewing the legislation. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is asking that this vote be delayed on the basis that the proposed legislation is inconsistent with agreements negotiated by Canada and the EU through the World Trade Organization (WTO). In addition, there is an upcoming Canada-EU Summit planned to take place on May 6. This summit is planned to take place around the same time as the vote is scheduled at present. As well, the legislation is inconsistent with conclusions that were drawn at the recent G-20 Summit in London.

At the G-20 summit, global leaders agreed that now is not the time for protectionism in light of the global economic crisis. Canada�s own Prime Minister and EU representatives have all supported this view. Global leaders have signed a declaration stating that no new trade barriers should be imposed at this time of crisis. This proposed ban on Canadian seal products would certainly be a serious barrier to trade.

"The meetings with the ambassadors and representatives of the various embassies were productive and provided us the opportunity to deliver important, factual information, regarding the seal hunt," said Minister Denine. "Newfoundland and Labrador has long enjoyed very productive trading relationships with many EU member states and we hope to see this continue into the future. The Government of Canada should work with the EU to implement a regulatory regime for the Canadian sealing industry that is agreeable to all parties. As well, our government continues to call on the Federal Government to take trade action against the EU through the WTO, at the appropriate time, as the ban proceeds."

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will continue providing information on the sealing industry to European decision makers. Information on the province�s sealing industry can be found at: www.fishaq.gov.nl.ca/sealfactsheet

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