UK urges Japan to scrap its scientific whaling programme

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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Fisheries minister Ben Bradshaw has condemned Japan's decision to go ahead with its whaling programme in the Southern Ocean (...)

Under the programme, Japan plans to increase its minke whale kill from 440 to 935 annually. It will also kill 10 fin whales this year and 10 next. From 2007-08, Japan plans to increase the kill of fin whales to 50 and then include 50 humpback whales annually.

Mr Bradshaw said: "Japan is flying in the face of world opinion. This slaughter has little or no basis in science and I would urge Japan not to proceed."

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Notes for Editors

Fin and humpback whales remain on the World Conservation Union's (IUCN) List of Threatened Species. Past hunting by the world's whaling nations has pushed these species to the brink of extinction.

The majority of members of the International Whaling Commission's (IWC) Scientific Committee expressed serious concern about all aspects of the JARPA II proposal four months ago. IWC members then adopted a Resolution calling on Japan to withdraw its proposal for an increase in scientific whaling.

The UK is opposed to all forms of commercial whaling and will continue to fight for the protection and welfare of all whale species.

Source: UK urges Japan to scrap its scientific whaling programme
Author: DEFRA

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