Whales (Hansard, 12 July 1979)

§ 15. Mr. Dubs
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has had in the International Whaling Commission with the Governments of countries involved in commercial whaling.

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
When I opened the International Whaling Commission meeting on Monday I announced the Government's decision to support a moratorium on commercial whaling and to obtain a ban on the import of sperm whale oil. The meeting of the Commission is still continuing but I am glad to report to the House that so far it has been agreed that commercial whaling, except for minke whales, by factory ships should cease.

§ Mr. Dubs
Is the Minister aware that some of his remarks will be most welcome but that a great deal of concern still exists about the senseless slaughter of whales? Will he explain why he is not willing to press for an immediate ban on the import of sperm whale oil into this country? Will he give an assurance that he is not giving way to pressure from other Ministers on this issue?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
On the hon. Gentleman's first point, we do not believe that the ban so far agreed goes far enough. We believe that minke whales should have been included in the moratorium. We shall continue pressing for that step to be adopted. On the question of the import of sperm whale oil, we believe that action must be effective on a wide basis. If we can get the agreement of our European partners for a ban on imports throughout the Community, that will obviously be more effective than a ban imposed only by ourselves. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade has already initiated proceedings in this direction in Brussels this week.
I can give the hon. Gentleman the assurance that if the discussions in Europe fail we shall not hesitate to take unilateral action. We are under no pressure from anyone. We have made up our own minds. We shall pursue our own course, in the best interests of proper conservation.

§ Sir John Langford-Holt
Is it not true that the United States has already banned imports of sperm whale oil and has found adequate alternatives?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
To be fair, substitutes have not yet been developed for all needs. Far more effective than banning imports, which we are proposing to do in any case, is to stop the hunting of sperm whales. It is that moratorium that has been agreed at the International Whaling Commission this week. That far transcends anything else. None the less, I give my hon. Friend and the House the assurance that we shall continue to pursue this question of the ban on imports of sperm whale oil.

§ Mr. Leighton
Is it not true that pirate whalers are one of the biggest problems? What are the Minister's plans to deal with them?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
The hon. Gentleman is right. About 10 per cent. of the whales caught are caught by ships of nations that are not members of the International Whaling Commission. This gives us great cause for concern. Whaling nations such as Japan are banning imports of whale derivatives from these. I have asked my advisers to examine the legalities to see what we can do to help.