Iceland: Hunting of whales suspended due to animal welfare concerns

Iceland’s government is suspending this year’s whale hunt due to animal welfare concerns until 31 August 2023 in a statement issued on 20 June 2023. The reason for this is doubt as to whether the whale hunt is compatible with current animal welfare legislation. Article 21 of the Icelandic Animal Welfare Act states that animals must be killed quickly and painlessly, and that unnecessary pain or suffering must be avoided. In contrast, a recent monitoring report by the Icelandic Food Safety and Veterinary Office (MAST) found that the killing of whales took too long when measured against the main objectives of the Animal Welfare Act. This year's suspension of whale hunting could be followed by a complete ban, Icelandic Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Svandis Svavarsdottir said in her statement.