EU urges Iceland not to resume whale hunts

BRUSSELS, Oct 21 (Reuters) The European Union has condemned Iceland's plan to resume commercial whale hunts, urging the country to reconsider the decision.

''Whales are a fragile component in the biological equilibrium of marine fauna, already threatened by the unwarranted resumption of whaling, and by other human activity, mainly pollution,'' the 25-country bloc's executive Commission said in a statement yesterday.

''If it was simply a matter for the EU to decide, all commercial whaling would be abandoned once and for all,'' it added.

Iceland decided this week to resume commercial whaling for the first time in two decades, ignoring an international moratorium.

Norway also sanctions commercial hunts of whales, often eaten as steaks. Both countries argue that stocks have recovered since the International Whaling Commission banned commercial hunts in 1985.

Japan, the other main whaling nation, says its hunts are for scientific research.

Iceland will allow whalers to harpoon a small commercial quota of 39 whales -- 30 minke whales and nine fin whales -- in the year to the end of August 2007. Fin whales are on a Red List of endangered species.

Reuters AKJ DB0921