PENRITH MP Dr Neil Hudson has raised the issue of 'cruel' Faroese and Norwegian whaling practices.

In a session with officials from the Environment Food and Rural Affairs and DEFRA officials Dr Hudson questioned what pressure the government can put on these countries to stop the 'cruel' practices.

Dr Hudson said: "What pressure can the UK Government put on the Faroes and Norway on changing their practices on things like whaling? Trying to get rid of that abhorrent practice.

"Is that something that Britain can have a role on in the world stage now?"

The Fisheries Minister responded: "It’s something we raise very regularly, particularly with the Faroe Islands and I think you’ll remember, as will the rest of the Committee, the incident that took place last year which I think was shocking to many of us and our constituents.

"I remember I raised it in my very first letter to the Faroese Minister and will continue to do so.

"They don’t appear to resent that engagement and they accept it as part of global engagement."

Commenting afterwards Dr Hudson said: "I am a supporter of the Government’s aims for Global Britain, but we need to ensure that our actions match our words.

"I am therefore pleased that the Government does raise the whaling issue with the countries like the Faroes and Norway."