The hunting of dolphins and whales in the Faroe Islands to be debated by MPs

John Nicolson MP has been asked by the Petitions Committee to open the debate, and MPs from all parties can take part. Penny Mordaunt MP, Minister for Trade Policy, will respond for the Government.

Suspend trade agreement with Faroe Islands until all whale & dolphin hunts end

The petition, which has more than 104,000 signatures, states: “In 2019 UK Government finalised a free trade agreement (FTA) with Faroe Islands which allows for £100 million of exports of wild caught and farmed fish to Britain per annum (20% of the Faroe Islands global trade). This FTA should be suspended until all whale & dolphin hunts on Faroe Islands end.”

In its response to the petition, provided on 26 October 2021, the Government said: “The UK strongly opposes the hunting of cetaceans and is committed to upholding high animal welfare standards in its trade relationships. We continue to urge the Faroe Islands to stop cetacean hunts.”

What are petitions debates?

Petitions debates are 'general' debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.

Further information

• Find out more about the role of the Petitions Committee
• Find out more about select committees

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