The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has been formally requested by Norway to intervene in settling dispute consultations with the EU regarding their ban on the trading of seal products, which Norway claims contravene rules laid down by the WTO itself.

“In our view, the EU decision is contrary to WTO rules on a number of key points. We will not let this go uncontested. We have therefore requested formal WTO dispute settlement consultations,” said Jonas Gahr Store, the Norwegian Foreign Minister.

Canada and Norway have both asked for WTO dispute settlement consultations in the wake of the September 16th decision by the EU to introduce a ban on the trade in seal products. On October 31, 2009, the decision was formally published enabling the consultation requests. The ban is set to come into effect on the 20th of August 2010 says the Norway Post.

“This is an important matter of principle for the Government. Seal hunting is an integral part of the Norwegian marine mammal policy and fisheries management regime. The ban undermines our possibilities of carrying out sound, ecosystem-based management of natural resources, and it sets a dangerous precedent for trade in products that are harvested in a sustainable manner,” said Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs State Secretary Vidar Ulriksen.

The requests for consultation are the first step in any formal dispute settlements. The consultations are designed to investigate whether a mutually agreed upon solution is possible in regards to trade disputes. If no agreement is reached, a request for a WTO panel to act as an arbitrator can be made.