In Parliament

Whaling in Iceland 31 March 2007

Action over commercial whaling

Many constituents have written to me about the about the resumption of commercial whaling in Iceland.

This matter is of great concern to me. I am pleased to let you know of the actions taken by the UK Government following this decision by Iceland towards the end of 2006. Immediately following the announcement the Minister for Marine and Animal Welfare, Ben Bradshaw, issued a statement condemning the decision as ‘inexplicable and inexcusable' and expressing his concern that this was a ‘flagrant disregard of the internationally agreed moratorium on commercial whaling'.

He also summoned Iceland's ambassador to explain why the country has decided to start hunting endangered whales. In diplomatic circles, summoning an ambassador is regarded as a serious expression of displeasure. Following this, on the 1st November 2006 the British Ambassador to Iceland led a group of ambassadors from a number of countries, including the USA, Germany and France, to Iceland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to urge the government there to abandon the killing. They delivered a strongly worded protest condemning Iceland over its decision to resume commercial whaling which was signed by 25 nations and the European Commission. The Government is continuing to discuss with conservation minded countries what further action to take. The UK will continue efforts, in conjunction with these other countries, to urge Iceland to reconsider their position and reverse this decision.

The decision by Iceland is most concerning in light of information that there is now very little market for whale meat and there already exists a ‘glut' of unwanted whale meat in Iceland, Norway and Japan. A Gallup poll, commissioned by the International Fund for Animal Welfare found that only 1.1% of Icelanders eat whale meat once a week or more and revealed that 82.4% of 16-24 year olds in Iceland never eat whale meat.

I will continue to press Ministers on behalf of all the constituents who have contacted me and ask them to use every opportunity to influence Iceland to stop this unnecessary action.