The WTO concluded its hearings on Europe’s ban on seal products on Tuesday 30 April 2013. The challenge under GATT was initiated by Canada and Norway. No report by the WTO Panel is expected for some months. In addition, last Thursday 25 April 2013 the European General Court upheld Europe’s ban on commercial seal products.…

Sheep being transported. Photo courtesy of RSPCA Australia.  The Panel notes with deep concern how the Standards and Guidelines developing under the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy seem bound to perpetuate poor welfare standards for farm animals. The first Standards and Guidelines, Standards and Guidelines for Land Transport of Livestock, are a shameful first case in point. It…

Photo courtesy of ‘National Geographic Photo of the Day Collection 2001-2009? available from Phombo.com The ICJ has announced that the public hearing dates for the whaling case initiated by Australia, would be from 26 June 2013 to 16 July 2013 at The Hague. You can read the media coverage here. You can read the ICJ Press Release here.

JAPAN’s fisheries minister has blamed “sabotage” by the Sea Shepherd anti-whaling group for a record low catch of just over 100 whales from this season’s Antarctic hunt. You can read the full article here.