It will start with a debate in the Parliament this Thursday before the Minister of Fisheries, Otto Gregussen, is to meet the State Secretary Matzouka from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The parties concerned believe that the government is fishing for support from these large organizations in case the permission to export whale products leads to sanctions against Norwegian products. A week later, on the 23rd of January, the Parliament is arranging a hearing on a private proposal by Fremskrittspartiet which demands an end to the ban on whale exports. On the 13th and 14th of March, Steinar Bastesen's court case against the State is to tackle the export of whale products. Bastesen has a contract with Icelandic buyers for 100 tons of whale blubber, and he claims the ban on whale exports is not legally justified.
Japan has yet to issue an import permit, fearing interntional reprisals.
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