INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION'S 62nd ANNUAL MEETING

Early day motion 173, tabled 8 June 2010 by Anne Main (Conservative). Signed by 55 members.

That this House recognises the global moratorium on commercial whaling as a conservation success; condemns continued whaling by Iceland, Japan and Norway; is deeply concerned that the Chairman's compromise proposal to be discussed at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Morocco in June could effectively see the end of the moratorium and legitimise commercial whaling for the first time in over 20 years; is further concerned that the proposal will also legitimise the killing of endangered species in the IWC-designated Southern Ocean whale sanctuary; is disturbed that the proposal sidelines the role of science by allowing catch limits to be decided on an arbitrary basis by political negotiation; believes that the proposal may encourage other nations to seek to recommence commercial whaling in the future; recommends that the IWC instead focuses its attention on becoming a modern, conservation-driven convention; and urges the Government to work with members of the IWC, both in the EU and elsewhere, to ensure that the proposal does not succeed at the IWC meeting in June.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Liberal Democrat 14, Conservative 5, DUP 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Green 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.