The boss of Iceland’s last active whaling company told AFP on Tuesday that he would sue the government if it were to introduce a whaling ban.
Iceland is one of three countries in the world that still hunts whales, drawing fierce criticism from animal rights groups.
The island nation’s government has announced that it plans to put forward a bill in February 2027 that could see the practice banned in Iceland.
Kristjan Loftsson, CEO of whaling company Hvalur, said he would comply with a ban but take legal action if it were enacted.
“We will not whale of course,” 83-year-old Loftsson told AFP.
“We will sue the government… so I don’t think they will dare to do it.
“You know, it will cost them a lot of money and these ministers don’t care because they don’t pay it themselves. They send it all to the taxpayers.”
Two factors have prompted the government to consider a ban.
One is commercial interests, as the activity is barely profitable, and on the other, animal welfare, according to the Icelandic Ministry of Industries.
But despite plans of bill being put before parliament, Loftsson was not worried.
“I am not worried about this at all. I am quite confident this will never materialise,” he said, while noting other similar proposals had been floated in the past.
“But it all ended up in nothing,” Loftsson said.
Hvalur employs about 150 people during hunting season, which is usually from early June to early September, and between 40 and 50 the rest of the year.
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