On March 25, 2011, the dispute settlement body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) granted Canada's request to hear its challenge of the EU's ban on the import of seal products. Canada had requested establishment of a panel to hear the dispute in January 2010. In its request, Canada alleged that the seal ban was inconsistent with the obligations of the EU under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 and the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. Specifically, Canada contended that the ban resulted in less favorable treatment of seal products from Canada when compared with seal products originating from the EU and created an unnecessary obstacle to international trade. The EU defended the law banning seal imports as consistent with its international obligations and a response to concerns by its citizens about seal products. The EU Court of Justice had reinstated the ban on import of seal products in October 2010.
Source: Jurist.org
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