Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR
22 May 2002
Serious Concerns Raised Over Sale Of Whale Meat In Some Japanese Shops
Fisheries Minister Elliot Morley today raised concerns about an apparent breach of IWC rules concerning the origin of
whale meat on sale in some Japanese shops.
During a debate on quota allowances for aboriginal subsistence whaling the Minister told the International Whaling
Commission (IWC) that a UK environmental group had drawn his attention to some worrying labelling on whale products
bought on a shopping trip in Nagasaki, Japan.
The Environmental Investigation Agency brought the two packages of whale products to the IWC's annual meeting in the
Japanese whaling port of Shimonoseki and told Mr Morley of their concerns.
The two packages of Minke Whale are labelled as having come from Greenland. Under IWC rules, some aboriginal subsistence
whaling is permitted off the coast of Greenland. But it would be a breach of IWC rules to sell and export products from
these catches.
If the meat has not been exported from Greenland, it would mean that the packages were mislabelled throwing into doubt
the ability of Japan to properly police any potential Revised Management Scheme (RMS) governing commercial whaling.
Mr Morley told IWC members:
"I have raised this issue with the IWC because I think it raises grave concerns both for the Commission and the Japanese
people. I do not have any answers at the moment, this is something which needs further investigation, but clearly
something is wrong here and we need to get to the bottom of it."
Commercial whaling is banned by an IWC moratorium but pro whaling nations want it lifted. The IWC has also been working
towards a RMS that would set in place the rules and regulations governing commercial whaling should the moratorium ever
be lifted. Anti whaling and pro whaling nations have yet to agree on the detail of a RMS.
Mr Morley said:
"The UK and like minded nations do not want to see a return to commercial whaling, but we have to be prepared for the
fact that this could happen in the future if the IWC voted to overturn the moratorium. It is therefore vital that a
robust RMS is put in place to protect whales from over exploitation.
"The packages I have shown to my IWC colleagues do appear to cast doubt on the ability of some nations to enforce the
rules. Clear labelling of origin forms an essential part of this. It is essential to distinguish between imported and
domestically produced meat. This confusion demonstrates the need to keep the moratorium in place."
Under IWC rules some aboriginal subsistence whaling is permitted where there are genuine nutritional and cultural needs
as determined by the Commission but the products of this whaling must be used exclusively by local people.
Notes for editors
1. The plenary session of the International Whaling Commission's 54th annual meeting is being held this week (May 20 -
24) in Shimonoseki, Japan. The UK delegation is represented by Fisheries Minister Elliot Morley.
2. For further information on the IWC and its votes this week refer to the DEFRA website and press releases 194/02
issued on 20 May, 185/02 issued on 15 May 2002, 121/02 issued on 26 March 2002 and the latest press release issued on 22
May 2002. All can be found under news releases.
Press Notices available via DEFRA website
http://www.defra.gov.uk
END