Government caught napping after 10,000 whales killed in past 20 years - Williams

8.55.39pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th Jun 2006

Roger Williams, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Food and Rural Affairs

As the annual general meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in St Kitts enters its vital decision-making stage, Roger Williams, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Food and Rural Affairs has released Liberal Democrat analysis of new figures showing that almost 10,000 whales were killed for 'scientific purposes' in the past 20 years, of which Japan was responsible for over 8,000.

Mr Williams said "Japan's extensive and expensive lobbying has caught the UK Government napping.

"90% of whales recorded killed in the last 20 years have been caught by the Japanese. Unless our Government now lives up to its strong historic record against whaling, many more could die in the next 20 years.

"We need concerted effort across Government - not just from the Environment Secretary - to help preserve this majestic giant of the sea.

"The Foreign Office must exert its diplomatic influence. I have written to the Prime Minister pressing him to make urgent representations to his counterparts in voting countries.

"The current threat to progress against this barbaric practice highlights the need for radical reform of the anti-democratic whaling commission."