§ 42. Sir J. Maitlandasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been further called to the increasingly deadly effects of some kinds of seed dressing on all types of bird life; if he will ask for an immediate interim report on this particular form of poisoning from his Research Study Group; and if he will now state the action he proposes to mitigate or prevent any further occurrence of the slaughter which has been evident this sowing season.
§ Mr. SoamesI am keeping closely in touch with the progress of the surveys, one of which we are doing ourselves, being carried out into the deaths of wild birds presumed to have been caused by certain seed dressings.
My Department, with the cooperation of manufacturers, merchants and farmers, has for some months been arranging widespread publicity to encourage care in the use of these dressings. All the interests concerned agree that this is the best way of reducing casualties. I have arranged for a meeting with all the interests to be convened after this spring in order to review the effect of this publicity campaign and the results of the surveys. In the meantime, I do not think it is necessary to call for any interim advice from the Research Study Group, whose report is expected this summer.
§ Sir J. MaitlandDoes my right hon. Friend realise that, while he is still considering the matter, all the good done by 787 the Protection of Birds Act, 1954, introduced by my noble Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Lady Tweedsmuir) is being completely wasted in one season by the poison damage to bird life which is taking place? Will he take the matter rather more seriously and act more quickly than he has hitherto?
§ Mr. SoamesI assure my hon. Friend that my Department and I myself take this matter extremely seriously. We have called for evidence throughout the country, particularly from those areas where these dressings are used, and not until we have that evidence shall we be able to assess it.