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Is whale meat illegal in the Netherlands?

Yes. Whale meat is banned in the Netherlands. 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

• The Netherlands is one of 35 countries where whale meat is banned, and 7 more restrict it.
• Its neighbours: banned in 2 of 2 (Belgium and Germany).
• In Europe: banned in 26 of 39 countries.

Other countries that ban whale meat

AustriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCyprusCzechiaEstoniaFranceGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyLatviaLithuaniaAll 35 on the map ›

What else is banned in the Netherlands