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Is whale meat illegal in Ireland?

Yes. Whale meat is banned in Ireland. EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.

Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.

Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12

• Ireland is one of 35 countries where whale meat is banned, and 7 more restrict it.
• Its neighbours: banned in 1 of 1 (United Kingdom).
• In Europe: banned in 26 of 39 countries.

Other countries that ban whale meat

AustriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCyprusCzechiaEstoniaFranceGreeceHungaryItalyLatviaLithuaniaLuxembourgAll 35 on the map ›

What else is banned in Ireland