Whaling (Hansard, 22 June 1992)

§ Mr. Simon Hughes
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent meetings he has had with representatives of groups regarding the forthcoming International Whaling Commission meeting; what was the outcome of the meetings; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Gummer
I had a very helpful meeting on 10 June with the cetacean group of Wildlife Link to discuss our approach to the next meeting of the IWC. I made it clear that we will not contemplate any lifting of the present moratorium on commercial whaling, of which we have been a leading advocate, because present evidence suggests that whales cannot be taken in an acceptable and humane manner; because we have to be assured that any revised management procedures include proper enforcement and monitoring; and because we must be sure that whale stocks are at healthy levels. I and my officials look forward to working closely with Wildlife Link on these and other points.

§ Dr. David Clark
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the international forums at which he has raised the issue of commercial whaling; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Gummer
I attended and opened the 39th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission in Bournemouth in 1987 and have also made clear the

1987 1988 1989 1990 ¹1991

(a)Total imports ('000 tonnes) 985.00 947.00 1,005.00 897.00 907.00

Percentage of United Kingdom total usage 13.39 12.40 13.38 12.52 12.65

Of which:

(b)Processed imports('000 tonnes raw equivalent) 394.00 488.00 543.00 521.00 557.00

Percentage of United Kingdom total usage 5.36 6.39 7.23 7.27 7.75

¹ Provisional.

	1987	1988	1989	1990	¹1991
(a)Total imports ('000 tonnes)	985.00	947.00	1,005.00	897.00	907.00
Percentage of United Kingdom total usage	13.39	12.40	13.38	12.52	12.65
Of which:
(b)Processed imports('000 tonnes raw equivalent)	394.00	488.00	543.00	521.00	557.00
Percentage of United Kingdom total usage	5.36	6.39	7.23	7.27	7.75
¹ Provisional.