European Union Agrees United Stance Against Whaling

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European Union Agrees United Stance Against Whaling

 

 

 

 

 

 

LUXEMBOURG: June 6, 2008

 

LUXEMBOURG - The European Union agreed on Thursday to take a unified stand against whaling ahead of a International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting this month.

 

 

"With this decision the European Union can now take a strong role at the International Whaling Commission and use all its political, moral and economic weight to ensure a more effective protection of whales worldwide," said EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. The European Commission has been spearheading efforts to find a joint position but as the 27-nation bloc is not yet a party to the IWC, it cannot negotiate on behalf of member states. Environment ministers meeting in Luxembourg adopted a common position based on support for the current moratorium on commercial whaling, the setting up of whale sanctuaries and encouraging the use of non-lethal methods to collect scientific data. "There is no need to kill whales to obtain scientific information about whales," the EU's executive Commission said in a statement. "Adequate data for management purposes can be obtained using non-lethal techniques," it added.

 

 

Story by Reporting by Pete Harrison; Editing by Jon Boyle

 

REUTERS NEWS SERVICE