B3-0707, 0721, 0756, 0759, and 0773

Resolution on European Community initiatives against the announced resumption of whaling by Norway and Japan

The European Parliament,

-recalling its commitment to the moratorium on the hunting of whales,

-having regard to the adoption by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), at its meeting from 10 to 14 May 1993, of the principle of protecting the whale,

A.whereas whaling in this century has brought many species to the verge of extinction,

B.noting that whales are sentient mammals with a high level of intelligence and complex social and cultural activities, the killing of which involves cruelty and suffering and cannot be considered in terms of 'harvesting' for commercial profit,

C.having regard to the French proposal to establish a protected area for whales in seas below the fortieth parallel until the IWC's Scientific Committee determines the whale stocks in the southern hemisphere,

D.whereas the meeting of the International Whaling Commission has confirmed the moratorium on whaling and adopted a proposal to study the possibility of creating an international sanctuary to protect whales,

E.whereas Japan has expressed its intention to resume whaling despite the decisions of the International Whaling Commission,

F.mindful of the decision of the Norwegian Government on 15 May 1993 to resume commercial whaling unilaterally despite the IWC recommendations on the establishment of a moratorium,

G.whereas this decision has been made at a time when Norway is a candidate for accession to the European Union and at the very moment when it is involved in negotiations with the Twelve for that purpose,

H.having regard to the fact that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) bans commercial trade in all whale products,

I.having regard to the fact that the EC's habitats directive demands strict protection of cetaceans,

1.Supports the proposal for the creation of an international sanctuary to protect whales;

2.Calls on the Commission, the Council and all the Member States to endorse the continued global moratorium on commercial whaling and immediately communicate this policy to the Norwegian and Japanese Governments;

3.Condemns the action of the Government of Norway in resuming commercial whaling; in negotiations regarding new members joining the EC, Norway should be informed that she will have to adhere to CITES, the Habitats Directive and other EC legislation protecting the whale as an endangered species;

4.Calls on the Norwegian Government, at a time when it is involved in negotiations for accession to the European Union, to reverse its position and, in particular, to suspend its decision to authorize fishing for 296 rorquals despite the IWC ban;

5.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Council of Europe, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Norwegian and Japanese Governments and the Secretariat of the International Whaling Commission.