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To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether animal welfare concerns relating to the Faroe Islands' grindadráp whale and dolphin hunt will be considered during the 2026 review of the UK–Faroe Islands trade agreement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether animal welfare concerns relating to the Faroe Islands' grindadráp whale and dolphin hunt will be considered during the 2026 review of the UK–Faroe Islands trade agreement.
By convening an annual Joint Committee, the UK-Faroes FTA provides an effective channel for UK officials from the Department for Business and Trade (in collaboration with other relevant government departments), to review a range of issues with the Faroe Islands. These include animal welfare, which was indeed raised by the UK at the latest Joint Committee, held on 3 June 2026 in London. The Government does and will continue to advocate for the end of all cetacean hunting in the Faroe Islands at every appropriate opportunity.
That this House condemns the grindadráp or Grind in the Faroe Islands, where pods of dolphins are driven into bays by small boats and slaughtered by hand; notes with concern that more than 1,000 cetaceans were killed in 2025, including juveniles and pregnant females; further notes that this practice is largely unregulated; recognises that cultural norms cannot justify the extreme suffering inflicted on highly sentient marine mammals; acknowledges the efforts of the Stop the Grind initiative in advocating to end to this practice; urges the Government to continue to raise this issue with the Faroese authorities, and call for an immediate end of the grindadráp; further urges the Government to review the terms of the free trade agreement with the Faroe Islands if swift action is not forthcoming; and calls for country-of-origin labelling of Faroese fish products to be mandated to enable consumers to make informed choices.
That this House condemns the grindadráp or Grind in the Faroe Islands, where pods of dolphins are driven into bays by small boats and slaughtered by hand; notes with concern that more than 1,000 cetaceans were killed in 2025, including juveniles and pregnant females; further notes that this practice is...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal welfare strategy for England, published on 22 December 2025, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of dolphin hunting in the Faroe Islands on marine mammals in UK waters.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal welfare strategy for England, published on 22 December 2025, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of dolphin hunting in the Faroe Islands on marine mammals in UK waters.
We remain committed to meeting our international obligations and continue to have concerns about the welfare and sustainability of these hunts.
In December 2025 we published the UK Cetacean Conservation Strategy with devolved governments. This includes species hunted in the Faroe Islands and aims to improve the conservation status of cetaceans in UK waters.
UK ministers and officials consistently call for an end to cetacean hunts in the Faroe Islands. As Chair of the International Whaling Commission’s Conservation Committee and Intersessional Working Group on Welfare, the UK promotes stronger protection and improved welfare for small cetaceans.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has conducted diplomatic discussions with (a) the Government of the Faroe Islands, (b) the Government of Denmark and (c) other international partners on the impact of Faroese dolphin hunting on North Atlantic cetacean populations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has conducted diplomatic discussions with (a) the Government of the Faroe Islands, (b) the Government of Denmark and (c) other international partners on the impact of Faroese dolphin hunting on North Atlantic cetacean populations.
The UK strongly opposes the hunting of cetaceans other than limited activities by indigenous people for defined subsistence needs. UK ministers and officials continue to advocate for the end of cetacean hunts in the Faroe Islands at every appropriate opportunity, most recently during formal UK-Faroes bilateral fisheries negotiations in November 2025, and I raised this with the Faroese Prime Minister Aksel V. Johannesen when I hosted him in London last year. We also use our role as Chair of the International Whaling Commission's Conservation Committee to raise the profile of small cetaceans, including encouraging more work to improve their protection and address welfare concerns.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of taking steps to help protect animals from the grindadrap.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of taking steps to help protect animals from the grindadrap.
The UK strongly opposes the hunting of all cetaceans other than some limited activities by indigenous people for clearly defined subsistence needs. Cessation of the grindadrap, or “The Grind” would be a positive step in improving the conservation and resilience of these cetacean populations.
The UK will maintain its strong support for the global moratorium on commercial whaling at this year’s International Whaling Commission (IWC70) meeting. UK Ministers and officials also continue to highlight our strong opposition to the practice at every appropriate opportunity, including during formal UK-Faroe Islands bilateral fisheries negotiations in November 2025, and through our diplomatic channels with the Faroese Representation in London.
The UK will continue to advocate for the end of cetacean hunts in the Faroe Islands at every appropriate opportunity. The Faroese Government is in no doubt as to the strength of feeling and opposition in the UK.
That this House condemns the grindadráp (Grind) in the Faroe Islands, where pods of dolphins are driven into bays by small boats and slaughtered by hand; notes with concern that more than 1,000 cetaceans were killed in 2025, including juveniles and pregnant females; further notes that this practice is largely unregulated; recognises that cultural norms cannot justify the extreme suffering inflicted on highly sentient marine mammals; acknowledges the efforts of the Stop the Grind initiative in advocating to end to this practice; urges the Government to continue to raise this issue with the Faroese authorities, and call for an immediate end of the grindadráp; further urges the Government to review the terms of the free trade agreement with the Faroe Islands if swift action is not forthcoming; and calls for country-of-origin labelling of Faroese fish products to be mandated to enable consumers to make informed choices.
That this House condemns the grindadráp (Grind) in the Faroe Islands, where pods of dolphins are driven into bays by small boats and slaughtered by hand; notes with concern that more than 1,000 cetaceans were killed in 2025, including juveniles and pregnant females; further notes that this practice is largely...
That this House believes that travel companies should stop selling tickets to shows featuring captive orcas and dolphins; notes with concern that despite mounting evidence of the harm caused to these animals in captivity, over 3,600 cetaceans worldwide remain confined for human entertainment; recognises that captivity severely restricts cetaceans’ natural behaviours, leads to physical and psychological distress, and shortens life expectancy; further notes that leading travel companies, including EasyJet Holidays and Jet2holidays, have already ceased the sale of such attractions in response to public and scientific concern; expresses disappointment that some travel companies continue to sell tickets to captive animal attractions; welcomes the Born Free Foundation’s Tank Free campaign calling on travel operators to end their support for the captive cetacean industry; and urges the Government to work with the travel industry to phase out the promotion and sale of tickets to captive orca and dolphin shows.
That this House believes that travel companies should stop selling tickets to shows featuring captive orcas and dolphins; notes with concern that despite mounting evidence of the harm caused to these animals in captivity, over 3,600 cetaceans worldwide remain confined for human entertainment; recognises that captivity severely restricts cetaceans’ natural...
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions the Joint Committee established by the bilateral Free Trade Agreement between the Faroe Islands and the United Kingdom has had about whale and dolphin hunts.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions the Joint Committee established by the bilateral Free Trade Agreement between the Faroe Islands and the United Kingdom has had about whale and dolphin hunts.
The Government is strongly opposed to the hunting of whales and dolphins. The Department for Business and Trade utilises the opportunities provided by the UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement to engage the Faroese government on this important matter. The UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee meets annually, and UK officials highlight our strong opposition to the practice at every opportunity, including at the last meeting in February 2024.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Faroe Islands on (a) dolphin and (b) whale hunting.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Faroe Islands on (a) dolphin and (b) whale hunting.
The UK strongly opposes the hunting of all cetaceans other than some limited activities by indigenous people for clearly defined subsistence needs. We reaffirmed our strong support for the global moratorium on commercial whaling at the September International Whaling Commission meeting with Danish government in attendance, where we co-sponsored a resolution on International Legal Obligations in Commercial Whaling. Ministers and senior officials will continue to raise the issue with the Faroese at every appropriate opportunity.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to introduce a ban on the (a) display and (b) importation of (i) dolphins, (ii) whales, (iii) porpoises and (iv) other cetaceans.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to introduce a ban on the (a) display and (b) importation of (i) dolphins, (ii) whales, (iii) porpoises and (iv) other cetaceans.
The UK Government considers cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) to be highly intelligent, social animals, with complex needs that are unlikely to be met when removed from their natural marine habitat and kept in captivity.
The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006 require high standards for the welfare of kept animals. We consider these protections sufficient to ensure cetaceans are not displayed or otherwise kept in captivity in this country.
We are not aware of any cetaceans being kept in captivity or being displayed but if there was any indication that cetaceans were to be displayed or kept in captivity here again then we would of course consider further actions.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions she has had with her counterpart in the Faroe Islands on the hunting of whales and dolphins; and whether she plans to take steps through the UK's trade relationship with the Faroe Islands to discourage that practice.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions she has had with her counterpart in the Faroe Islands on the hunting of whales and dolphins; and whether she plans to take steps through the UK's trade relationship with the Faroe Islands to discourage that practice.
The Government is strongly opposed to the hunting of whales and dolphins. UK Officials have raised concerns about this through many engagement channels including at the International Whaling Commission and through the Faroese Embassy in London. My Department continues to utilise the opportunities provided by our Trade Agreement to engage the Faroese government on this important matter, including through specifically raising our serious concerns with the practice at the Joint Committee of the agreement that took place in February 2023.
We continue to use our diplomatic relationship to lobby the Faroes to stop this practice altogether.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing licences for (a) capturing and (b) keeping in captivity (i) whales and (ii) dolphins.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing licences for (a) capturing and (b) keeping in captivity (i) whales and (ii) dolphins.
The UK Government considers cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) to be highly intelligent, social animals, with complex needs that are unlikely to be met when removed from their natural marine habitat and kept in captivity. The Government does not see merit in licensing either the capture or the private keepership of whales and dolphins.
In addition, under the EU Habitats Directive and the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to deliberately disturb, harm, capture, or kill wild cetaceans. This provides strong legal protection preventing the taking of cetaceans for captivity from EU and UK waters.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to regulate the pelagic supertrawler fishing fleet to stop the bycatch of (a) dolphins and (b) other non-target species.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to regulate the pelagic supertrawler fishing fleet to stop the bycatch of (a) dolphins and (b) other non-target species.
We are considering our policies for large pelagic trawlers, commonly known as supertrawlers, and working to develop more robust management of the non-quota species which these vessels are targeting alongside quota stocks.
In 2022, the UK Government and Devolved Administrations published the UK Bycatch Mitigation Initiative. This sets out how we will work collaboratively with the fishing industry and other stakeholders to minimise and, where possible, eliminate the bycatch of sensitive marine species, such as dolphins.
Clauses 1 to 7 agreed to. Schedule agreed to. Bill reported without amendment.
Clauses 1 to 7 agreed to. Schedule agreed to. Bill reported without amendment.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the new licencing round for 898 blocks in the North Sea, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on whales and dolphins of new seismic surveys for oil and gas exploration; and if...
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the new licencing round for 898 blocks in the North Sea, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on whales and dolphins of new seismic surveys for oil and gas exploration; and if...
The Government has undertaken an Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment (OESEA4) of a draft plan for licensing and leasing areas for future offshore energy developments including offshore oil and gas, offshore gas and carbon dioxide storage, offshore renewables, and offshore hydrogen, in relevant waters of the UK Continental Shelf.
Public consultation on the OESEA4 Environmental Report took place between 17 March and 27 May 2022. The Government response to the OESEA4 was published in September 2022: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/uk-offshore-energy-strategic-environmental-assessment-4-oesea4.
A Written Ministerial Statement adopting the plan was made in September 2022: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2022-09-22/hcws295.
In advance of any licence award, as part of the 33rd Offshore Oil and gas Licensing Round, a further Habitats Regulations Assessment will be undertaken.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the debate on Dolphin and Whale Hunting: Faroe Islands on 11 July 2022, what diplomatic steps her Department has taken since July 2022 to encourage the Faroese Government to stop the practice of dolphin and whale hunting; and if...
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the debate on Dolphin and Whale Hunting: Faroe Islands on 11 July 2022, what diplomatic steps her Department has taken since July 2022 to encourage the Faroese Government to stop the practice of dolphin and whale hunting; and if...
The government is strongly opposed to the hunting of whales and dolphins. My colleagues and I will continue to raise this issue with the Faroe Islands, and we will raise it when the Joint Committee of our agreement meets in November. Our Trade agreement strengthens our ability to have these discussions and influence crucial issues like animal welfare.
We continue to use our diplomatic relationship to lobby the Faroes to stop this practice altogether. His Majesty’s Ambassador to Copenhagen is due to visit the Faroes Islands in the near future and this will be a key topic of her visit.
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of suspending the Trade Agreement with the Faroe Islands until she receives a legally binding commitment from the government of the Faroe Islands that it will cease all further whale and...
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of suspending the Trade Agreement with the Faroe Islands until she receives a legally binding commitment from the government of the Faroe Islands that it will cease all further whale and...
HM Government is strongly opposed to the hunting of whales and dolphins. Multiple government colleagues and I have raised this issue directly with the government of the Faroe Islands. The Faroes are reviewing the hunt and have recently proposed a catch limit for white-sided dolphins. The fact of our trade agreement strengthens our ability to have these full and frank discussions and influence on crucial issues like animal welfare. As these hunts are not illegal in local law, there are no provisions under the Free Trade Agreement for the UK to suspend it on this basis. We will continue to use our relationship to lobby the Faroes to stop this practice altogether.
A debate has been scheduled in Westminster Hall at 6.00pm on Monday 11 July 2022 on e-petition 597171, relating to the hunting of dolphins and whales in the Faroe Islands. The subject for the debate has been nominated by the Petitions Committee, and the debate will be opened by John Nicholson MP.
A debate has been scheduled in Westminster Hall at 6.00pm on Monday 11 July 2022 on e-petition 597171, relating to the hunting of dolphins and whales in the Faroe Islands. The subject for the debate has been nominated by the Petitions Committee, and the debate will be opened by John...
I beg to move,
That this House has considered e-petition 597171, relating to the hunting of dolphins and whales in the Faroe Islands.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. I thank the 104,664 petitioners who made this debate possible, and Dominic Dyer for his continued passion and...
I beg to move,
That this House has considered e-petition 597171, relating to the hunting of dolphins and whales in the Faroe Islands.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. I thank the 104,664 petitioners who made this debate possible, and Dominic Dyer for his continued passion and...
It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Sir Christopher. I congratulate the hon. Member for Ochil and South Perthshire (John Nicolson) on speaking with such horrific eloquence about what is going on with the—I think it is pronounced “grinned” rather than “grind”, but I am not sure....
It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Sir Christopher. I congratulate the hon. Member for Ochil and South Perthshire (John Nicolson) on speaking with such horrific eloquence about what is going on with the—I think it is pronounced “grinned” rather than “grind”, but I am not sure....