European top court upholds EU ban on seal imports

A European Union ban on importsof seal products not derived from the traditional Inuit sealhunt is legal, the 28-nation bloc's top court ruled on Thursday.

The Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice rejected anappeal brought by an association representing the interests ofCanadian InuitInuit Tapiriit Kanatami and seal productmanufacturers against a ruling from a lower court in 2013.

"By today's judgment, the Court dismisses the appeal in itsentirety," the Court said in a statement.

The association of Canadian Inuithad disputed the legalityof the ban on the grounds that its objective the protection ofanimal welfare was not an exclusive competence of the EU.

The EU ban, which arose over concerns of brutality in theseal hunt, has been challenged by Canada and Norway in the past.

Canada's main seal hunt takes place in March and April onice floes off the Atlantic Coast, and in the Gulf of St.Lawrence.

The Human Society, an animal protection group, said it was"overjoyed" by the ruling.

"It is time for the sealing industry to finally realise thatthis landmark legislation, which enjoys the support of millionsof EU citizens, is here to stay," said Joanna Swabe, executivedirector of Humane Society International/Europe.

Seal products include fur for clothing, and oil that is usedin vitamin supplements.