§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what exemptions from EC law governing whaling activities have been sought by the Norwegian Government in their submission to the Council of Ministers; and what has been the outcome of the Norwegian demands.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryI have been asked to reply.
The Norwegian Government have requested exemptions from the EC habitats directive annex IV(a) in respect of fin, minke and killer whales and from the EC convention on international trade in endangered species regulation in respect of fin and minke whales. The member states of the European Union have rejected these requests.