Whilst sport might sometimes transcend politics, it cannot be a safe haven for the perpetrators of such brutal and unnecessary practices.

Words cannot express the cruelty displayed in a tradition known as the Grind, or Grindadrap in Faroese, the hunting of sea mammals, primarily whales and dolphins, is a tradition that has been practised for hundreds of years on the Faroe Islands.

The Faroe Islands are now highly prosperous. The slaughtering of whales and dolphins is not required for meat. In fact, the slaughtered animals are hard to get into the human food chain, as so few people, especially young people, want to eat them.

Records showed that the 2021 ‘Grind’ accounted for the largest number of whales and dolphins ever killed - over 1,400 on one day!

In these hunts every member of the pod is killed including pregnant mothers, juveniles and weaning calves. None are ever spared by the Faroese.

The massacre on that day was so excessive that many Faroe islanders were left in shock! 

The Faroe Islands continue to be globally condemned for this barbaric tradition but condemnation alone is not enough.  

This is why I am calling for a ban on the Faroe Islands participation in all international sporting events and competitions.

I urge all organising bodies of international sporting events to please carefully consider the involvement of the Faroe Islands while these practices continue.

In July of 2023 the island of Guernsey will be hosting the NatWest International Island Games

Once every two years, thousands of athletes from across the globe — from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic to the Caribbean — come together to compete in the NatWest International Island Games.

I ask petitioners to also lobby the International Island Games Association to lead the way and be the first to act.

I would also encourage sponsors and athletes to search their consciences when considering participating in sporting events that involve the Faroe Islands.

My name is Lyndon Farnham, I am a Deputy in the States of Jersey, the island of Jersey's elected Parliament.

Members of Parliaments all over the world are beginning to see these issues as a key part of their environmental agendas.

On June 13th 2023 the States of Jersey will debate a proposition to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the Faroe Island Government’s annual Grindadrap festival.

We must all very soon start backing our condemnation with action.

Thank you for your support.