Ottawa: December 22, 2011. – The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today issued the following statement on the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia’s proposed trade restrictions on seal products:
“Our government remains committed to defending Canada’s sealing industry. The Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia has proposed trade restrictions on seal products. I have instructed Canadian officials to actively engage with their international counterparts to convey Canada’s concerns over these proposed restrictions and to examine options for ensuring continued market access for Canada’s sealing industry. The Atlantic and northern seal hunts in Canada are humane, sustainable and well-regulated activities that provide an important source of food and income for thousands of sealers and their families.”