ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - The Newfoundland and Labrador government is questioning Ottawa's commitment to defending the commercial seal hunt.
In a statement Friday, acting provincial Fisheries Minister Trevor Taylor called on the federal government to take a stronger role in protecting the sealing industry.
The European Union is expected next week to discuss legislation that would ban the import of products from seals killed inhumanely, a move that could harm Canada's commercial sealing industry.
Taylor says the federal government's response to European countries legislating seal product bans has been "muted" so far, and he's asking Ottawa to prepare a trade action against Europe if a broader ban is approved.
Canada's commercial seal hunt is the largest marine mammal slaughter in the world, and has stoked outrage among animal welfare groups.
But sealers say the hunt is humane and a viable source of their income.
