§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment she has made of whether the recent announcement by Norway to resume commercial whaling in the 1994 season is contrary to the agreement reached at the 1994 International Whaling Commission meeting, that no authorisation was given to any activity contrary to the moratorium on commercial whaling.
§ Mr. JackAs Norway lodged an objection to the original decision by the International Whaling Commission in 1982 to establish a moratorium on commercial whaling it is not, under IWC rules, bound by this decision. At this year's IWC meeting, the UK and a number of other countries again urged Norway to reconsider its decision to resume commercial whaling activity and to comply fully with the moratorium. Norway has chosen to ignore these requests. The UK will continue to press the Norwegian Government to think again.
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what agreement or settlement on the issue of whaling was contained in Norway's acquis communautaire to join the European Union.
§ Mr. David DavisI have been asked to reply.
All EC legislation on whales and trade in whale products will apply to Norway on its accession to the European Union.