Whaling (Hansard, 8 December 2003)

§ Mr. Hancock
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to the Icelandic Government following the demarche in response to Iceland's plan to continue scientific whaling in 2004; and if she will make a statement. [140913]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
On 10 October the Icelandic Government responded to the UK-led demarche of 10 September. On 20 November the UK Ambassador to Iceland delivered a Note Verbale to the Icelandic Government regarding points raised in that response, and in particular their decision to undertake lethal scientific research. The Note Verbale restated the UK Government's opposition to the research, which it considers unjustified and unnecessary, and again called upon the Government of Iceland not to carry out any further lethal research on whale species.

§ Mr. Hancock
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to the Japanese Government since 7 November on its plans to kill Antarctic minke whales. [140914]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The Japanese programme of so-called 'scientific' whaling is an ongoing one. The UK Government, in common with those of a majority of IWC members, has regularly criticised the programme as being of little scientific value and urged Japan to end its scientific whaling activities.
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§ Mr. Hancock
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated designed to ensure a successful review of the Southern Ocean Sanctuary in 2004, in relation to the whaling in the area by Japan. [140915]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The UK Government have not specifically commissioned research on the Southern Ocean Sanctuary, but we do receive information from scientists and from the British Antarctic Survey. The UK chaired the Working Group on Reviewing Sanctuaries and Sanctuary Proposals at this year's International Whaling Commission meeting in Berlin. This Working Group evaluated criteria for the Sanctuaries and Sanctuary Proposals. The UK also has delegates on the Steering Group, which is responsible for designing the evaluation process for the Sanctuaries and Sanctuary Proposals. Hence, we have had considerable input into choosing experts and the terms of reference for the review.