Faroese parliament rejects proposal to exempt pilot whale hunts from animal welfare law

A parliamentary proposal to remove pilot whale hunts from Faroese animal welfare regulations has been withdrawn by the government, national broadcaster Kringvarp Føroya reports.

The motion, introduced by lawmakers from all political parties last December, sought to amend legislation to ensure animal welfare laws would not apply to hunting and fishing—including the traditional grindadráp (pilot whale drive). The proposal argued that only the existing grindalóg (whaling law) should govern the hunts, not broader animal welfare statutes.

However, the government’s working committee declined to advance the motion after its first reading on January 10. The original proposal had aimed to “protect the right to hunt wild animals,” according to its supporters.

Last summer, district officials and whaling participants in Hvannasund were formally accused of violating animal welfare laws during a grindadráp. Police continue to investigate the case, and the charges remain in place.