Whale meat the topic of Iceland-Japan talks

Icelandic whaleDiscussions between Iceland and Japan on the exportation of Icelandic whale meat to Japan are continuing, despite protests against Iceland’s decision last year to resume commercial whaling. Negotiators on the team are hoping that an agreement will be reached by next spring.

Iceland is eager to conclude the negotiations as soon as possible so that they can start planning next year’s whaling season which starts next June.

If an agreement is signed, Icelandic whalers may be able to sell some of their catch to Japan, most likely the meat from fin whales.

Although Iceland’s government recently suspended all whaling operations, Gudfinnsson said this was a purely market-driven decision. The government, he said, will most likely set whale-hunting quotas once again provided that “we can sell our products.”

According to Gudfinnsson, Iceland’s policy of continuing whaling is “unchanged”. Since the demand for while meat exists in Japan, whaling is likely to begin if an agreement between the two countries can be reached.

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