KEEPING OF CETACEANS IN CAPTIVITY

Early day motion 63, tabled 6 November 2007 by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 51 members.

That this House welcomes the fact that no whales, dolphins and porpoises have been kept in captivity in the United Kingdom since 1993 but is concerned that there is no legislation to prevent these animals being housed in captive facilities within the United Kingdom in the future; notes that cetaceans are intelligent, social animals with complex needs which cannot be met in captivity and that there is evidence to suggest that captivity causes serious physical and behavioural welfare problems, and that many cetaceans are still taken from the wild to supply captive facilities; furthermore, notes with concern the involvement of companies in the United Kingdom with overseas establishments which keep cetaceans in captivity; and calls on the Government to introduce legislation specifically prohibiting the keeping of cetaceans in captivity other than in cases which involve short-term rehabilitation with a view to a release back to the wild in the cases of injured cetaceans.

Signatures by party: Labour 31, Liberal Democrat 15, Conservative 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.