It appears Switzerland is heading toward a ban on imports of dolphins or whales, and not a ban on keeping the animals at all.

The National Council had approved a complete ban of dolphins and whales, though the Council of States would only approve an import ban.

Now MPs in the National Council will take up the issue in the summer session again.

A committee recommends accepting the import ban. It recommends rejecting a proposal to require parks to need a permit for keeping animals, granted after an expert approves the living conditions.

The issue of dolphins and whales in Switzerland came to the fore after two dolphins died at the Conny-Land amusement park last year.