§ 58. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will initiate action to control wood pigeons in areas where brassica crops predominate.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. John Mackie)I sympathise with growers whose brassica crops are suffering severe damage by wood pigeons and our officers are always ready to advise on control measures. But the responsibility for controlling pests lies with the occupier and not with the Ministry. Unfortunately, there is no simple solution to this problem.
§ Mr. HastingsWhile I am aware that there is no simple solution to this problem, may I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware that his Answer will give little comfort to growers in my constituency? Is he further aware that damage to these crops—particularly spring greens and Brussels sprouts—has averaged out at £30 an acre, and in some cases far more than that? Does he recognise that at this 421 time of year there is a particular threat to brassica crops and that something has got to be done to solve this problem?
§ Mr. MackieI have a great deal of sympathy with the problem raised by the hon. Gentleman and I assure him that we are doing a good deal of experimental work, particularly in the development of stupefying baits and so on. We are not doing that in his constituency at the moment, but we hope that something will come out of the work that is going on and that it will be of great help to farmers.