Following the UK’s exit from the EU, Dr Neil Hudson MP has reinforced that the UK should use its reinvigorated foreign diplomacy powers to advocate for marine mammals in fisheries and trade negotiations with our international partners.
He again stressed this point during a session of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee where he quizzed the Fisheries Minister on Fisheries Negotiations between the UK and its coastal partners.
Quizzing the Minister on ending whaling, marine mammals that die unintentionally in commercial fishing nets and rolling out our highly protected marine areas (HMPAs), Dr Hudson reinforced his support for the UK’s significant global soft power capabilities in demanding our high-ecological and environmental standards be enacted by other nations.
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
“Our seas are brilliant bastions of wildlife, food and energy – and we rightly lead the world with our high ecological standards.
“Now with our reinvigorated diplomatic powers, I am confident we can push forward with our valued international partners and see not just UK, but global waters thrive.
“As a passionate advocate for marine mammals, I was keen to shining a spotlight on the whaling issue and marine mammal bycatch that still persists in the world’s waters and I look forward to resultant Government action.”
Dr Hudson has always maintained there is no humane way to kill whales and that the abhorrent practice of whaling which is sadly continued by a small number of countries should be stopped. He supports the introduction of HMPAs which he recommended to Government in the EFRA Committee’s recent marine mammal report which you can find here.
His most recent work alongside marine mammal charities and NGOs to end marine mammal bycatch deaths can be found here.
You can watch the full session back here.
