§ 51. Mr. Maudlingasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the losses suffered by farmers in Hertfordshire as a result of the worrying of sheep by dogs; and what steps he proposes to take to mitigate this nuisance.
Mr. T. WilliamsCases of the worrying of sheep by dogs in several parts of the country have been brought to my notice recently. The whole question of sheep worrying is constantly before my Department, but I am afraid that it is not possible to formulate additions to existing arrangements that would have a material effect on the problem without bearing unduly heavily on the great majority of dog owners whose dogs do no damage.
§ Mr. MaudlingIn view of the fact that many farmers have been forced by this nuisance to give up keeping sheep, will the Minister consider whether any strengthening of existing legislation may not have the effect of mitigating the evil?
Mr. WilliamsI do not think it is quite so much a question of legislation as of the effective carrying out of existing legislation. I can assure the hon. Member that the county branches of the National Farmers' Union, and the N.F.U. itself, are in close contact with chief constables in all the various counties.
§ Major Sir Thomas DugdaleDoes not the Minister realise that this menace is becoming very serious indeed, and is a threat to increased production?
Mr. WilliamsI am fully aware that it is a very serious problem, but I am glad to see that, nasty as it is, it has been on the decline in the last year or two.