Mark has joined with other MPs in signing a motion in Parliament condemning the practices of illegal dolphin and whale hunting by Japan. To read it in full click here.

The Japanese government issues quotas for the slaughter of around 20,000 dolphins, porpoises and whales in its coastal waters each year despite the International Whaling Commission's ban on commercial whaling. The motion urges action to press the new Japanese government to halt all forms of whaling.

Mark said:

“This whaling threatens these beautiful mammals with extinction and the meat from these hunts contains high levels of mercury and other toxins that could endanger people’s health.

“The UK Government has actively opposed whaling off the shores of Japan, Norway and Iceland.  The Japanese Government must follow other nations around the world in putting a stop to this cruel and unjustifiable practice.

“We need to continue to make it clear that when it comes to whaling, animal conservation and human health come first.”