EU Condemns Japanese Whaling

BRUSSELS, Belgium — The European Commission on Monday urged EU governments to take a united stand against whaling.

Referring to recent footage of Japanese whalers, EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said in a statement "the graphic images on our television screens bring home the reality of whale hunting. This shows that more than ever the EU needs to be united in opposing whaling."

Japan kills more than 1,000 whales each year under a scientific research program allowed by the International Whaling Commission, despite a 1986 moratorium on commercial whaling of many species. The meat is sold at market.

Japan defends the hunts as crucial for research purposes and as part of its food culture, though few Japanese eat whale regularly because the moratorium has limited supplies and other meats such as beef have gained popularity.

Whaling is banned in EU waters. The EU executive wants the 27 EU nations to adopt a common stance against whaling by June which it then can defend in negotiations through the International Whaling Commission.