§ Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress is being made with regard to the banning of whale imports and products derived from whales into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MonroThe importation of the primary products of all cetaceans is already controlled under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976. For baleen whales no licences are issued, but for sperm whales imports of oil are at present allowed under licence. The United Kingdom wrote to the European Community suggesting a ban on the import into the Community of the primary products of all whales from 1 January 1982 to allow commercial users time to convert to substitutes. The Commission of the European Community has published a draft regulation which lists primary products commonly in trade and also includes whale oil treated leathers. It is intended that this regulation should be submitted for agreement by the Council of Ministers before the end of October.