Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Jón Bjarnason has declared his support for Norway’s and Canada’s case against the European Union at the World Trade Organization regarding the ban on the import of seal products.

Seals at the Reykjavík Zoo. Photo by Páll Kjartansson. 

In a meeting with the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Board on Friday, Iceland requested to participate in the complaints committee’s case as a third party, Fréttabladid reports.

The dispute concerns an EU regulation barring that the import of seal products to EU market territories.

An announcement from the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture issued yesterday stated that Iceland’s support for Norway’s and Canada’s cause is consistent with Iceland’s earlier declarations to the international arena.

For example, statements made by Minister of Finance Steingrímur J. Sigfússon, who used to chair the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, to that regard to Joe Borg, the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, in 2009 were referenced.

The Norwegian news website ABC Nyheter claimed that the issue had caused an internal dispute within the Icelandic government.

Foreign Minister Össur Skarphédinsson is said to be against Iceland declaring support for Norway and Canada in their case against the EU.