§ 31. Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps were taken at the International Whaling Commission to prevent the continued slaughter of whales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BishopThe 30th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission was held in London from 26th to 30th June. The Commission agreed to recommend a reduction in all the existing catch quotas, except that for the North Pacific sperm whale stock, which will be considered again at a special meeting later this year. There is already a ban on catching the less abundant whale species, and controls based on stock levels regulate the taking of the other species. No whales may be taken within the United Kingdom's 200-mile fishing limit.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the outcome of the International Whaling Conference; and whether he will initiate talks with other nations who import sperm whale oil for industrial purposes about the need to ban its use in order to conserve the species.
§ Mr. BishopI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Ross) earlier today. The Government consider the IWC to be the best forum for the international discussion of all whaling matters.
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§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the International Whaling Conference, in the light of the representations on the use of the jojoba plant oil as a substitute for sperm whale oil.
§ Mr. BishopI refer my hon. Friend to the reply given earlier today to the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Ross). There was no discussion on the use of substitutes for sperm whale oil at the thirtieth annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission.