§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many different species of whales currently exist; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the measures available to protect them.
§ Mr. JackThere are at least 78 species of cetaceans currently in existence, of which 12 are commonly referred to as "great" whales. Under European Community legislation there is a de facto ban on commercial whaling within the Community. Globally, responsibility for the conservation of whales rests with the International Whaling Commission where the United Kingdom works actively to secure effective measures for the conservation and protection of all whale species and strongly supports the current moratorium on commercial whaling.