THE actor Jude Law is calling for the European Union-wide ban on seal fur to be upheld in a move he said would be "in line with the wishes of compassionate people all around the world".

The film star sent the letter to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on behalf of US animal rights group Peta prior to the WTO's final hearing on the issue in Geneva before the start of Canada's annual baby seal cull.

All major markets have banned seal fur imports, including the EU, Mexico, Taiwan, the US and Russia. The latter previously imported 95% of Canada's seal fur.

The Canadian government is challenging the EU ban as a last-ditch effort to revive the trade, but the actor hopes its efforts will be blocked.

Law said the Canadian government should pursue a buy-out of the commercial sealing industry instead of "using the WTO to prop up a dying industry".