Europe is not against commercial seal hunting in Canada but only wants to make sure the animals are killed humanely, the European Commission's ambassador to Canada said Thursday.
On Wednesday, the European Union proposed a ban on seal products from countries that "practice cruel hunting methods."
Dorian Prince told CTV's Canada AM on Thursday he believed Canada and the EU could find a resolution if the legislation is passed.
The ambassador said the goal of the legislation is not to ban legitimate commercial hunts in places such as Newfoundland and Iles-de-la-Madeleine.
"All we want to do is agree to proper management, proper methods, proper supervision so that we have the guarantee that no animal suffers unduly," said Prince.
He said the EU is perfectly happy to sit down with Canadian officials "to agree on correct methods" on how seal are hunted.
The legislation was based on a study by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an independent agency, said Prince.
"This body has produced a list of methods that we consider to be completely unacceptable and cruel and it also lays down methods that we consider to be acceptable," he said.
Methods such as trapping, suffocating or drowning seals are unacceptable, said Prince.
The EU also wants to curb the practice of killing a bunch of seals all at once.
"The real problem is while you're dealing with animal one, animals 18, 19 and 20 may be suffering excruciating pain," said Prince.
On CTV's Canada AM Thursday, Canadian fisheries ambassador Loyola Sullivan said the EU is acting unjustly and contravening their World Trade Organization obligations.
"Is every other wild animal under the same scrutiny?" asked Sullivan.
"They're bowing down to emotion and it's not based on fact... we'll continue to press on this issue."
On Wednesday, Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn issued a stern reproach to European lawmakers.
He vowed to stand up for Canadian hunters and warning the EU members they were on thin ice.
The 27-members of the EU and the European Parliament would have to back the proposal for it to take effect.
Hearn said the government, provinces and stakeholders will be reviewing in coming months how the proposed regulations, and any possible exemptions, would affect Canada.
