Stop whaling, MEPs to tell Japan
MEPs are to press the European Commission and EU ministers to condemn Japan’s decision to resume whaling and hunt and kill 333 minke whales in the 2015-2016 season, in a resolution to be put to a vote on Wednesday. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Japan to halt its annual slaughter of whales in the Southern Ocean in 2014.
A debate will also be held place on Wednesday, on the basis of oral questions to Council and the Commission.
4,000 whales in 12 years
In November 2015, the Japanese Fisheries Agency notified the International Whaling Commission that it would resume whaling under a revised plan. This 12-year plan would allow the killing of 333 minke whales during the 2015-2016 season, and a total of nearly 4,000 whales over the whole 12-year period.
“Not for scientific research”
“By resuming whaling, Japan is clearly ignoring the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ordered, in its judgment of 31 March 2014, the halting of Japan’s annual slaughter of whales in the Southern Ocean. The ICJ concluded that the hunts are not, as Japan claims, conducted for scientific research”, say the oral questions.
Procedure: Oral question to Council and Commission (no resolution)
Debate: Wednesday, 8 June
Vote: Wednesday, 8 June
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