The Faroese government is being accused of ignoring scientific evidence over safety of whale meat as record number of pilot whales are slaughtered. Despite repeated scientific warnings over the foodstuff's high levels of contamination from mercury and other chemicals, the government is putting the health of consumers at risk by allowing the sale and consumption of the highly controversial whale meat. The hunt which is carried out annually is opposed by environmental and animal welfare campaigners who say the whale killing is cruel and unnecessary. The Faroese authorities maintain the hunt is sustainable and an important food source for the islands. Due to their position near the top of the marine food chain, pilot whales accumulate higher levels of mercury contaminants and organochlorines that are potentially harmful to human health. In 2008 the Faroe Island's chief medical officer recommended that pilot whale meat should no longer be used for human consumption because of the significant threat it poses. The Faroese government acknowledges that pilot whale meat and blubber can have high levels of contamination, but recommends consumers be guided by advice it issued in 1998 stating that one or two pilot whale meals per month are safe to consume. Part of me feels horrified by the slaughter of these whales but another part of me feels that we slaughter chickens and cows for our consumption and not as many people are writing articles on it or protesting how horrific the conditions they live in are, so I'd be a hypocrite if I say it disgusts me that people want to eat whale meat but I enjoy eating beef and chicken and don't care much how they are killed as long as I get to eat it. I guess it is a matter of taste and what kind of meat do people prefer to eat.
Link to site: http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_round_up/687202/warning_over_contaminated_whale_meat_as_faroe_islands_killing_continues.html
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