§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will press for EU action to prohibit the import of seal products where these have been obtained through the clubbing to death of seals.[107680]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 7 April 2003]: EU Directive (83/129/EEC) prohibits imports of skins from seal pups and breeding mothers of certain species of seal. By protecting these sections of the seal population, the ban aims to protect overall numbers. The EU, with the strong support of the UK, continues to press for animal welfare concerns to be recognised as legitimate grounds for taking trade measures under WTO rules.