Press release
24 June 2010
Ministry of the Environment
Andreas Carlgren on the IWC negotiations:"Deeply regrettable that uncontrolled whaling can continue"
"It is deeply regrettable that uncontrolled whaling, which is taking place due to loopholes in current regulations, can continue for at least another year." This comment was made by Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren after the negotiations in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) regarding a management plan were discontinued.
"Sweden´s line has been clear - to give the IWC full control over whaling and to dramatically reduce hunting. Sweden, like the rest of the EU, wanted to reach an agreement that would close the loopholes and entail a ban on commercial whaling in the IWC, a ban on scientific whaling and thus protect whales. This line was based on the proposal presented by Chile, which is currently the Chair of the IWC. The result now is that whaling nations can continue to hunt on their own terms without restriction, supervision or control. The current ban exists on paper, not in reality," says Mr Carlgren.
"The only way to reduce whaling is by putting external pressure on the whaling nations and through an agreement in the IWC that includes Japan, Norway and Iceland. The current situation is the worst possible for the whale population in the world´s oceans. Whaling will now continue uncontrolled," says Mr Carlgren.
Below are issues for which Sweden has worked:
- To close all loopholes in the regulations
- A ban on commercial whaling in the IWC
- Dramatically reduced quotas for whaling nations
- Preventing new nations from hunting whales
- A ban on scientific whaling
- To cease whaling in the Antarctic as soon as possible
- A whale sanctuary to protect whales in the South Atlantic.
In light of the fact that the right of NGOs to insight and information was strongly restricted at the IWC meeting, Sweden has also informed the IWC Chair and the EU that we consider that NGOs are to have insight into work in the IWC in accordance with their observer status.
Contact
Lennart BodénPress Secretary to Andreas Carlgren
