WRITTEN QUESTION E-1237/01

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(26 April 2001)

Subject: Whaling on the Faeroe Islands (Denmark)

For some time now the Faeroe Islands' bloody tradition of hunting pilot whales has been the object of widespread public indignation.

That being so, I should like to ask the Commission the following questions:

1. Under S. 1 of the German Animal Protection Act, for example, it is illegal to do harm to an animal without a valid reason. The Faeroe Islanders' whale hunts subject whole schools of long-finned pilot whales to a bestial fight to the death. Even pregnant females and new-born calves are killed. How can this be reconciled with the European concept of animal protection?

2. Is it true that, when the slaughter of whole families of pilot whales is mentioned, Denmark refers to the Faeroe Islands' autonomy in internal matters (cultural affairs), but that these North Atlantic Islands receive funding support to the tune of some 140 million per year?

3. Public opinion polls show that the Danish population is opposed to the killing of whales on the Faeroe Islands. International health organisations have also warned against the consumption of pilot whale meat, which is contaminated with heavy metals. How can it be that all these facts are being ignored?

4. Is it true that a large proportion of the meat from these whales is not eaten but ends up on rubbish tips?

5. What reasons did Denmark have for being the only EU country at the last IWC conference to vote against the establishment of a whale protection zone between Australia and New Zealand, thus giving support to Norway and Japan, which are in favour of whaling?

6. Former whaling countries in the EU, such as Portugal, Spain and the UK, have long abandoned their whaling traditions and not suffered any cultural loss as a result. Does the Commission agree that the Faeroe Islands should do likewise?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(20 June 2001)

Cetaceans are strictly protected by the Habitats Directive(1), which requires Member States to take measures to ensure a favourable conservation status for them. However, the EC Treaty does not apply to the Faeroe Islands(2), which means that nature protection provisions based on the EC Treaty do not apply there either.

The Community does not support any form of cetacean hunting or of trade in products obtained through that activity. The Commission has no specific information on the presence of contaminants in the meat of cetaceans or on the final destination of such meat.

The Commission has long supported a definitive ban on commercial whaling(3). However, a difference of opinion among the Member States has prevented the Community from adopting a common position on its membership of the International Whaling Commission.

With regard to the other points, and particularly questions 2 and 5, it would be for the Danish authorities to answer the questions put by the Honourable Member, as the Commission is unable to do so.

(1) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992).

(2) Documents concerning the accession to the European Communities of the Kingdom of Denmark, Ireland, the Kingdom of Norway and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Act concerning the conditions of accession and the adjustments to the Treaties, Part Two Adjustments to the Treaties, Title II Other adjustments, Article 27 (OJ L 73, 27.3.1972). EC Treaty, Article 299(6)(a) (formerly Article 227).

(3) Commission communication to the Council concerning the conservation of whales within the framework of the International Whaling Commission, COM(92) 316 final.