LONDON (Kyodo) A Japanese research institute is disputing claims by British environmentalists that whale meat is being used in pet food.

Britain's Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society recently said the use of the meat in pet food shows Japan is having difficulty in shifting its "surplus" supplies.

However, Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research, a nonprofit research organization, said Thursday that only a "minuscule" amount of whale byproduct is used in pet foods.