MEP Caroline Voaden has written to the Japanese Ambassador to the European Union to express her deep disappointment and revulsion at his Government’s decision to return to commercial whaling.

Voaden and her Liberal Democrat colleagues, who also signed the letter, demands a reversal of the decision, following the country’s departure from the International Whaling Commission at the end of June.

Under the recently signed EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, the EU and Japan both committed themselves to conserving and sustainably managing natural resources and addressing biodiversity.

In the context of this agreement, the strongly worded diplomatic letter calls on Japan to review its whaling policy.

Caroline said: “I was repulsed by the decision of the Government of Japan to return to commercial whaling, following their departure from the International Whaling Commission at the end of June.

“The harrowing scenes of bloodied whales being hauled ashore are haunting. In a changing international order, Japan and the European Union have rightly built a close relationship, but as close friends it is time to have a frank discussion about these worrying developments.

“I am determined to use my new role to leverage Britain’s influence as part of the world’s largest trading bloc to fight for positive environmental action.”

Caroline is MEP for south west England and Gibraltar after being elected in May.