ID :
30809
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 16:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/30809
The shortlink copeid
Icelandic minister calls for active whale meat imports by Japan+
REYKJAVIK, Nov. 17 Kyodo - Iceland is eager to see Japan actively import whale meat from it by resolving a pending procedural problem, the Icelandic agriculture and fisheries minister says.
''I do hope'' the problem will be resolved so as to facilitate Japan's imports
of whale meat from Iceland, Einar Gudfinnsson said during a recent interview
with Kyodo News in the nation's capital.
Gudfinnsson was referring to an Icelandic company's export of whale meat to
Japan allegedly in June which met procedural difficulties for import approval
by the Japanese authorities.
The problem raised the question of whether Iceland can bring whale meat into
the Japanese market, Gudfinnsson said.
But the Icelandic fisheries industry and the Japanese authorities are working
on the matter and are expected to find a solution, he added.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan
authorized the import of whale meat in September.
Iceland resumed commercial whaling in 2006 after a hiatus of 20 years and
caught only seven minke whales and as many fin whales due to weak domestic
demand. The country was thus forced to discontinue commercial whaling the
following year.
But as domestic demand for whale meat is growing especially among young people
who are ''keen on'' food high in protein and low in fat, Iceland has already
used up its catch quota of 40 minke whales for 2008, Gudfinnsson said, adding
that whale meat is winning greater support for use in barbecuing and sushi as
well.
Recent polls showed that a majority of respondents support Iceland's accession
to the European Union as the northern European country will receive financial
support from the European Union in the wake of the global financial crisis.
But Gudfinnsson voiced a cautious view on Iceland's possible EU membership,
saying, ''We would have to cease our whaling'' in light of the European Union's
anti-whaling stance.
Iceland and Norway are the only countries engaged in commercial whaling at
present.
''I do hope'' the problem will be resolved so as to facilitate Japan's imports
of whale meat from Iceland, Einar Gudfinnsson said during a recent interview
with Kyodo News in the nation's capital.
Gudfinnsson was referring to an Icelandic company's export of whale meat to
Japan allegedly in June which met procedural difficulties for import approval
by the Japanese authorities.
The problem raised the question of whether Iceland can bring whale meat into
the Japanese market, Gudfinnsson said.
But the Icelandic fisheries industry and the Japanese authorities are working
on the matter and are expected to find a solution, he added.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan
authorized the import of whale meat in September.
Iceland resumed commercial whaling in 2006 after a hiatus of 20 years and
caught only seven minke whales and as many fin whales due to weak domestic
demand. The country was thus forced to discontinue commercial whaling the
following year.
But as domestic demand for whale meat is growing especially among young people
who are ''keen on'' food high in protein and low in fat, Iceland has already
used up its catch quota of 40 minke whales for 2008, Gudfinnsson said, adding
that whale meat is winning greater support for use in barbecuing and sushi as
well.
Recent polls showed that a majority of respondents support Iceland's accession
to the European Union as the northern European country will receive financial
support from the European Union in the wake of the global financial crisis.
But Gudfinnsson voiced a cautious view on Iceland's possible EU membership,
saying, ''We would have to cease our whaling'' in light of the European Union's
anti-whaling stance.
Iceland and Norway are the only countries engaged in commercial whaling at
present.
