§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will attend or be represented at the International Whaling Commission meeting in London between 9 and 13 July; if he supports an international moratorium on commercial whaling; and if he will state his policy on conservation of the world's remaining whale population.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithA United Kingdom delegation, led by an official of my Department, will attend the meeting. We are presently reviewing United Kingdom policy on whaling. I shall make the opening speech to the conference, in which I shall make clear the policy of the Government.
§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with EEC members on a common European policy for the conservation of whales.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithNone.
399W
§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the current world population of blue whales, bow-head whales, humpback and southern whales; how many of each category have been killed in each of the past 10 years; and if he is satisfied that the International Whaling Commission will be able to reduce the killing in the current year below the expected level of 20,000.
Blue Bowhead Humpback Southern Right 1969. … … 0 19 11 0 1970. … … 1 25 15 0 1971. … … 9 24 24 0 1972. … … 0 39 7 0 1973. … … 0 39 10 0 1974. … … 0 23 9 0 1975. … … 0 17 9 0 1976. … … 0 48 5 0 1977. … … 0 29 10 0 1978. … … 0 10 No information available 0 Total … 10 276* 100 0 * Total includes three killed in last six years but precise year unknown. Total does not include 196 bowheads struck but lost; it is not known whether these animals subsequently died. Source: International Whaling Statistics and International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee Reports. The International Whaling Commission currently recommends a moratorium on commercial whaling for these species.
§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been achieved in conserving the world population of whales since the United Kingdom signed the Convention for the Regulation of Whaling; whether he is satisfied with the workings of the International Whaling Commission; and if, for purposes of comparison, he will list the members of the EEC, the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development and the Commonwealth which have banned the import of whale products and those which have not.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithIn 1975 the International Whaling Commission adopted its new management policy. This affords automatic and complete protection from commercial whaling by member countries to all stocks and species which the IWC's scientific committee advises are below safe levels. Other stocks and species are subject to a strict system of quotas set in accordance with scientific advice.
My right hon. Friend is considering the effectiveness of the IWC in the con-
400W
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithScientists at the Sea Mammal Research Unit, Natural Environment Research Council, estimate that the current world population of the species mentioned is as follows:
Blue whales. 7,000 Bowhead whales. 3,000 Humpback whales 6,500 Southern Right whales 4,000 The recorded number of each of these species killed in each of last 10 years is as follows: —
text of his review of United Kingdom whaling policy.
I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade that, of the countries referred to, only Canada, New Zealand and the United States have banned the import of all whale products though in each case there is provision for the relevant authorities to authorise specific imports. Australia has stated the intention to ban imports of whales and whale products from 1 January 1981.