§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations have been made to the Danish Government in respect of the slaughter of pilot whales and white-sided dolphins by Faroe islanders; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make it his policy to prohibit the importation of produce from Denmark until the slaughter of pilot whales and white-sided dolphins is prohibited in the Faroe Islands; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonWe have expressed our concern to the Danish Government about the manner in which the Faroese hunting of pilot whales is conducted. In response to our raising this in the International Whaling Commission the Faroese authorities now exercise tighter control of the hunting and have take measures to improve its humaneness. I would caution against the hope of securing a complete stop to the hunting as there is no evidence that the pilot whale stock has been endangered by the Faroese catches.
343WI understand from the Danish authorities that the killing of dolphins last year was in contravention of Faroese law and the incident was investigated by the local police.
We are not taking trade sanctions. It is widely recognised that the Government have taken a positive lead on the conservation of whales. We consider that the appropriate way forward is to continue to work for this through the International Whaling Commission which we regard as the primary forum for all whaling matters.