Canada flaunts seal products at Beijing show
Last Updated: Monday, January 11, 2010 | 3:31 PM NT
CBC News
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A Canadian delegation is pitching seal products to Chinese buyers this week, hoping to expand the controversial animal's appeal in Asian markets.
Gail Shea, federal minister of fisheries and oceans, is part of the delegation that is showcasing made-in-Canada seal products at the 36th International Leather and Fur Show in Beijing.
The products include a clothing collection made from seal fur, seal oil, seal meat and even seal hearts. The delegation says the seal hearts could even replace pig heart valves currently used in some human surgeries.
Showing off a multitude of seal products will help Canadian producers diversify, and that "would be such a win-win situation for everyone involved in the industry," Shea said.
Canada is interested in expanding its reach with seal products, and China "serves as a huge potential market", she said.
The European Union ban on seal products compounded by the global recession have hit Canadian producers hard.
The EU ban exempts seal products from Inuit hunters.
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