Japanese whale meat 'being sold in US and Korea'

Wednesday, 14 April 2010 05:11 UK
Scientists say they have found clear proof that meat from whales captured under Japan's whaling programme is being sold in US and Korean eateries.

The researchers say they used genetic fingerprinting to identify meat taken from a Los Angeles restaurant as coming from a sei whale sold in Japan.
They say the discovery proves that an illegal trade in protected species still exists.
Whale meat was also allegedly found at an unnamed Seoul sushi restaurant...
But a controversial exemption allows Japan to kill several hundred whales each year for what is termed scientific research.
The meat from these whales is then sold to the public in shops and restaurants...