§ Mr. Portilloasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards applications to import dolphins or killer whales into the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy Department has not granted any permits to import dolphins or killer whales since 1983. I am aware of public concern, and it is clear that there are widely differing opinions about the value of dolphinaria. I have therefore decided to appoint an independent adviser to consider whether the educational, research and breeding benefits of dolphinaria and similar establishments in the United Kingdom are of sufficient value to justify the import and display of live cetaceans. Advice will also be sought on the standards that should be applied to dolphinaria if they can be justified on educational, research or breeding grounds. The review will also take account of recent EC CITES regulations which increased the conservation status of small cetaceans. The views of operators and conservation bodies will also be sought. I am currently arranging for a suitable adviser to be appointed, and I hope to make a further announcement shortly. Any applications to import further dolphins or killer whales from the wild to the United Kingdom will be determined in the light of this review, which I expect to complete within six months from the date of the appointment of my adviser.