Iceland whaling firm threatens lawsuit over ban plan

The head of Iceland's last active whaling company said Tuesday that he would sue the government if it introduces a whaling ban.

Kristjan Loftsson, chief executive of Hvalur, said the company would comply if a ban were enacted but would take legal action against the government.

"We will not whale of course," Loftsson said. "We will sue the government."

Iceland's government has announced plans to put forward a bill in February 2027 that could ban whaling in the country. The Icelandic Ministry of Industries said commercial interests, because the activity is barely profitable, and animal welfare were behind the move to consider a ban.

Loftsson said he was confident the plan would not become reality, pointing to earlier similar proposals that did not take effect.

Hvalur employs about 150 people during the hunting season, usually from early June to early September, and between 40 and 50 people during the rest of the year.

Iceland is one of three countries in the world that still hunts whales, a practice criticised by animal rights groups.