Canadian Parliament to serve seal meat at lunch

TORONTO (AP) - The Canadian Parliament's restaurant will be serving seal meat this week as a gesture of support for hunters battling a European Union ban on seal products.

Liberal senator Celine Hervieux-Payette said Monday that Wednesday's lunch menu will offer seal meat hors-d'oeuvres and main courses.

Hervieux-Payette says the fare will allow politicians to demonstrate their backing for the hunt.

The EU ban on seal imports was imposed last July on the grounds that the annual hunt off Canada's east coast was cruel and inhumane.

Canada has requested consultations with the EU at the World Trade Organization, which is the first step before launching an official trade challenge to salvage a Canadian industry valued at $10 million Canadian dollars ($9.7 million) in exports last year.