HC Deb 27 March 1963 vol 674 c1295
8. Mr. Farr

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will discontinue the experimentation with and use of narcotic baits, now that the effects on wild life of the past winter have been assessed.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

The current experiments which were conducted after consultation with Wild Life interests are now coming to an end. As the ground this year was covered with snow for such an exceptionally long period, we have had no opportunity to assess properly the effectiveness of this means of control, or the degree of risk to wild life and game birds. A similar series of experiments may well be needed in 1963–64.

Mr. Farr

Is my hon. Friend aware that reliable authorities have estimated that up to 50 per cent. of our wild life was exterminated by the bad weather last winter? In view of that, would it not be better if Ministry employees were used elsewhere and on other tasks than spreading more poisons around the countryside?

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

These experiments are a valuable addition to our methods of attacking the problem of wood pigeons. As my hon. Friend knows well, they are a very serious problem to farmers and do a very great amount of damage to crops.

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