Iceland suspends fin whale hunting over animal rights concerns

Copenhagen, June 21 (BNA) Iceland’s government said on Tuesday it has suspended hunting fin whales until August 31, after a report by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority concluded that killing whales took longer than allowed by the country’s animal law. Care.

Hunting of fin whales, which can reach lengths of more than 20 metres, resumed in Iceland in 2006 after a 1986 ban. Iceland, along with Norway and Japan, is one of the few countries that still allows commercial whaling, according to Reuters reported.

“I have decided to suspend all whaling operations,” Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Svandis Svavarsdottir said in a statement.

“This activity cannot continue in the future if the authorities and license holders cannot ensure that the welfare requirements are met,” she said.

Svavarsdottir said it would seek the opinions of experts and whaling license holders to explore further restrictions on whaling in the future, the government said.

MI