MP calls for whaling ban (From Wirral Globe)

MP calls for whaling ban

9:50am Monday 18th February 2013 in News By Geoff Barnes

MP calls for whaling ban

ANDREW Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, has called on Japan to end its cruel commercial whaling at the launch of a new report revealing the industry is dying in the water.

Japan's whaling is being propped up by millions of pounds a year in public money, research by the International Fund for Animal Welfaredemand shows.

Andrew Miller said: "I am already aware that the Japanese government subsidises the whaling industry to the tune of many millions of pounds every year but was appalled to learn, at IFAW’s briefing in Westminster this week, that the Japanese government even diverted tsunami relief funds to support the whaling industry.

"The IFAW report provides the clearest picture ever of the failing whaling industry and, while the findings demonstrate that whaling is unprofitable and catering to an increasingly shrinking and ageing market, whale watching is, by contrast, a growth industry.

Mr Miller added: “I oppose the cruelty of commercial whaling which has no place in the 21st Century, and call on the Japanese government to put an end to it now. 

"I stand beside IFAW in supporting whale watching as the sustainable alternative which can benefit coastal communities.”