Dutch Government moves to stop Icelandic whaling exports

Further to a campaign by the online campaign group Avaaz, the Dutch Government has agreed to block exports of whale meat through Dutch ports.

News of Iceland reports that ‘The global campaigning organisation, Avaaz today welcomed the announcement by the Dutch State Secretary for Economic Affairs Sharon Dijksma that she will take the lead and act fast to convince the Port of Rotterdam and other EU harbours to stop the transfer of whale meat. This announcement came as Avaaz delivered a petition signed by over 1 million citizens calling on the Netherlands to act before Icelandic summer whaling starts next week.

Pascal Vollenweider, Senior Campaigner at Avaaz said: “The Dutch government has listened to the urgent public appeal to help prevent a new whales massacre. The State Secretary’s announcement sends a clear message to the whalers that they cannot expect it to be business as usual in Europe. The Netherlands’ initiative to launch a code of conduct could be decisive in closing down Europe to the transfer of carcassess of these endangered majestic creatures.”

Yesterday in The Hague State Secretary Dijksma received the petition signed by 1,106,917 people in just one week. The online petition can be seen here:http://www.avaaz.org/en/days_to_stop_the_whale_slaughter_global/.

At the delivery of the petition the State Secretary made a public statement acknowledging the influence of this massive global campaign and committing to work with Rotterdam port authorities to help stop the whale meat trade, and with European counterparts to devise a comprehensive European Code of conduct

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