Whales: Icelandic Policy (Hansard, 18 June 1991)

§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)
My Lords, our understanding is that the Icelandic Government have not yet taken a decision to leave the International Whaling Commission. The UK Government will continue to maintain their strong position on the conservation of whales and other cetaceans.

§ Lord Nugent of Guildford
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer, which hardly covers the facts. Is it not a fact that the Icelandic Government applied for permission to resume commercial whaling last year and on that being refused announced their intention of leaving the International Whaling Commission? Does not that precedent indicate the danger that exists to the conservation of the whale in that in Norway the Norwegian Minke Whalers' Association announced at its annual general meeting this week its intention to resume commercial whaling next year? Will my noble friend take this matter very seriously? Is he aware that the tremendous work in setting up the International Whaling Commission, which has conserved the whale from extinction, is about to be destroyed unless really effective action is taken by our country and every other civilised country in the world?

§ Baroness Trumpington
My Lords, I first pay tribute to my noble friend Lord Nugent who I know has a very long association with the IWC and who shares Her Majesty's Government's very strong feelings on the preservation of the whale. Having said that, Iceland has given notice of an intention and, obviously, Iceland takes its own decisions; but it would be regrettable to leave the only forum 39 concerned with all cetaceans. Iceland must also recognise that the IWC is the only forum in which to argue its case. My right honourable friend the Minister stated in another place that he would do his best to ensure that Iceland does not leave the IWC.
I have seen the report that Norwegian whalers intend to start their activities again in July. I understand that the Norwegian Government do not envisage any whaling this year and will take action against such whaling. Such a move by whalers would, of course, be in contravention of the IWC moratorium on commercial whaling and as such would need to be viewed very seriously.

§ Baroness Nicol
My Lords, is it not the case that the United States has legislation in the shape of an amendment to the Fishermen's Protection Act which makes it possible to embargo all fish and wildlife products from any nation that, diminishes the effectiveness of an international fishery or wildlife conservation agreement". There is a further amendment to the International Fishery Conservation and Management Act which rules that any nation violating the IWC's rulings would be banned from fishing within the United States 200-mile limit. Would it not be a good scheme for the United Kingdom to take on board that kind of legislation? I understand that it works very well.

§ Baroness Trumpington
My Lords, the position of the United Kingdom is that the Government are not prepared even to contemplate a lifting of the moratorium on commercial whaling until it is clear that stocks are at healthy and sustainable levels, that a satisfactory management procedure is in place and that the methods used to take the whales are humane. We are particularly concerned on this latter point and have secured a specialist group to study present killing methods.

§ Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone
My Lords, arising out of that last answer, does my noble friend agree that the only methods at present in use for killing whales are inherently and horribly cruel and that no other method is at present contemplated?

§ Baroness Trumpington
My Lords, I agree that whaling is cruel. At our suggestion it was agreed that next year a group of experts will undertake a thorough review on the humaneness of whale-killing methods. On the basis of present evidence we are not convinced that commercial whaling can be undertaken as humanely as it should be to make it acceptable.

§ Baroness Nicol
My Lords, although I appreciate the very helpful reply given by the noble Baroness, will she answer my question? Will the United Kingdom contemplate the kind of legislation that exists in the United States, which seems to be effective?

§ Baroness Trumpington
My Lords, first, there is in any case a ban in the EC on all whale products. With regard to future action by the United Kingdom, I cannot pre-empt any action that may be taken to address a situation that has not yet arisen. However, 40 I shall make sure that my right honourable friend the Minister reads the exchanges we are having in this House today.

§ Lord Nugent of Guildford
My Lords, rather than the calming words the Minister has given to us today will she consider taking some action? Do I not understand that Iceland has applied to join the European Community? Should not Iceland be told that on no account is it to be allowed to join a civilised community if it intends to recommence whaling? If that is not effective, could not Iceland also be told that we shall appeal to the United Nations and ask for sanctions to be applied? Iceland is proposing a monstrously uncivilised act. We expect our Government to take effective action to check it.

§ Baroness Trumpington
My Lords, I repeat that the Government of Iceland have not taken any decision.

§ Lord Gallacher
My Lords, the special workshop on methods of killing whales was decided on in May by the International Whaling Commission at its meeting in Reykjavik. That was on a British initiative, and we congratulate the Government on that. However, can the noble Baroness say whether that inquiry will report within the next 12 months?

§ Baroness Trumpington
Yes, my Lords. Perhaps I may elaborate as I know the House is interested in this whole subject. Experts, including veterinarians, weapons explosive experts, physiologists, forensic pathologists, and others, will meet to consider all methods currently in use in whaling or known to be in development. They will assess and compare methods and the data on their killing efficiency and evaluate progress since the last major review in 1980. A report will then be presented to the IWC for its consideration next year.