Abstract

The article deals with the main aspects of the "EC - Seal Products" case, concerning the WTO law consistency of a measure adopted by the EU in order to introduce a ban on the import and marketing of seal products. Prompted by mounting concerns on seal welfare, the measure also aims at accommodating the socio-economic interests of indigenous peoples practicing seal hunt through one of the exceptions to the general prohibition. Decisions on the violation of non-discrimination clauses are briefly illustrated. A comment on the relationship among public morals, animal welfare and indigenous peoples, as emerged from the case, is provided in the last section.