§ 32. Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that the steps he has taken to prohibit the use of certain types of spring seed dressings have proved effective; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Christopher Soames)Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that, following the agreement not to use certain cereal seed dressings on spring sown cereals, there has been a marked reduction this spring in the deaths of wild birds. A number of suspected incidents have been reported to my Department's Infestation Control Laboratory. Analysis of these has shown that some birds probably died from eating dressed grain, but in about half the bodies so far examined no trace of chemical seed dressing could be found. Investigations are continuing and I intend to publish a report on these as soon as possible. The whole position will then be reviewed with the interests concerned.
§ Mr. FarrIs my right hon. Friend aware of the warning which health officials had to give to members of the public in Norfolk last week, advising them not to touch the carcasses of many hundreds of dead birds which had been found? In view of that, does he think that a voluntary ban will be sufficient for future occasions?
§ Mr. SoamesThe situation has been infinitely better this year. Only 57 instances were reported this year compared with about 300, involving many thousands of birds, last year. We have had a much more satisfactory coverage this year and I am certain that there has been a great improvement. But I ask my hon. Friend to await the report after we have had full experience of the spring.