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For Immediate Release
Statement Regarding Japan's Pelly Amendment Certification
Statement by Mark Shaffer, Defenders of Wildlife Senior Vice President for Programs
"Defenders of Wildlife applauds the Clinton Administration’s decision today to certify Japan under the Pelly Amendment and the Packwood-Magnuson Amendment. We are confident that this move will help to conserve whale populations in the North Pacific and the Antarctic.
"We are strongly encouraged by the President’s decision to have his cabinet examine the possibility of sanctions against Japan to restrict imports of whale products. We also support the President’s decision to bar Japan from future fishing in United States waters.
"Earlier today, Defenders of Wildlife, as part of an international coalition, sent a 40-page petition to the Administration urging that sanctions be imposed on products that may contain whale meat or are otherwise related to Japanese whaling.
"Twice before, the United States has certified Japan under the Pelly Amendment but failed to follow through with actual trade sanctions, and each time, Japan resumed hunting whales. Actual sanctions are necessary this time to demonstrate that Japan’s subversion of international conservation efforts will no longer be tolerated. Japan’s history of recidivism on this issue must not be ignored.
"We urge the President to not give in to threats of WTO action from Japan or to pander to political maneuvering during this election season. The citizens of the United States and the international community are looking to this Administration to lead the way by letting Japan know that they can not continue to hunt whales in defiance of their international obligations."
Defenders of Wildlife is a leading nonprofit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation’s most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 400,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues.
