Faroese prosecution drops animal welfare case against pilot whale hunt officials

The Faroese public prosecutor has dropped a case against local officials accused of violating animal welfare laws during a pilot whale hunt in Hvannasund last summer, national broadcaster Kringvarp Føroya reports.

Prosecutor Michael Boolsen confirmed the decision but declined further comment. The case involved a district commissioner and whale hunt foremen allegedly breaching animal welfare regulations during the hunt.

Meanwhile, a parliamentary proposal to exclude traditional whale hunts from animal welfare legislation has resurfaced. Originally introduced in December by lawmakers from all parties, the amendment would ensure only the Faroese grindalógin (pilot whale hunt regulations) apply to such hunts—not general animal welfare laws.

The proposal, framed as protecting the right to hunt wild animals, was not advanced by the election committee despite a January 10 deadline for review. Lawmakers had urged the government to revise the legal framework accordingly.

The amendment specifically clarifies that animal welfare laws do not cover hunting, fishing, or pilot whale hunts, treating the issue as a legal technicality.