MEPs back EU action on whaling
February 19, 2009 12:00 AM
A new report backed today by the European Parliament has called for the current moratorium on commercial whaling to be upheld by the international community. Along with the moratorium, the report by Scottish Liberal Democrat MEP Elspeth Attwooll supports a ban on international trade in whale products, the elimination of whaling for scientific purposes and the creation of marine sanctuaries where whales are specially protected.
At the same time it respects the needs of communities that have traditionally engaged in whaling for their sustenance but maintains that such whaling should only take place under scientifically based quotas and controls and that there should be more research into humane killing methods.
The report also calls on the European Commission to bring forward proposals to do more to protect whales from threats caused by ship strikes, fishing gear and anthropogenic noise in Community waters or from Community vessels.
The report also emphasises the need for international agreement to be reached if effective measures for the protection of whales are to be developed and implemented successfully.
Speaking after the vote Ms Attwooll, vice-chair of the Parliament's Fisheries Committee, said:
"It is clear that the issue of whaling and the protection of whales has to be addressed comprehensively and according to rules based on sufficiently broad agreement to be implemented effectively.
It is crucial, too, that the European Union plays a constructive role in negotiations that bring such an agreement, helping to establish a framework that will allow whale conservation to be maximised.
If this is not done, whale populations will continue to be at risk in the short and longer term".
ENDS
• The report was comprehensively backed with 626 votes for, 12 against and 19 abstentions.
• "Community action in relation to whaling" is available here http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&reference=A6-2009-0025&language=EN
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