MP acts to save sealife (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

MP acts to save sealife

12:18pm Friday 10th March 2006 in News By Staff reporter

ST ALBANS MP Anne Main has started a parliamentary group to fight for the protection of whales, coral and other sealife.

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Marine Animal Welfare has been officially registered after obtaining the required total of 20 members from the Lords and Commons combined.

The inaugural meeting saw Mrs Main elected as the group's chairman and Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski as her deputy.

The St Albans MP has always been strongly opposed to whaling and is concerned that the Japanese will soon be pressing for extensions to the quotas of the animals they are allowed to kill for so-called scientific purposes.

She said: "The next meeting of the International Whaling Conference will be held in June this year.

"The first task of the group will be to present a submission to the UK's delegation as well as continually remind the Government there are very strong feelings within the UK, as well as in Parliament and that people want to see an end to this cruel and unnecessary practice. We also hope to see national celebrities taking up our cause which will further see the issue highlighted."

Other issues she hopes the group will address include protecting coral reefs and the impact of global warming on the Arctic.

Her group is linking up with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, which will provide advice and administrative back-up.