HL Deb 17 February 1971 vol 315 cc584-7
THE EARL OF DUNDEE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of their decision to withdraw grants from rabbit clearance societies while continuing the legal obligation on individual farmers to destroy rabbits, they will agree to an amendment of the Pests Act, removing the clause which makes it a criminal offence to spread myxomatosis.]

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, myxomatosis is still thought to be the biggest single factor contributing to the control of the rabbit population, killing between 70 and 95 per cent. of the rabbits which contract it, and as it continues to occur at irregular intervals in areas wherever large colonies of rabbits are building up, there is no justification to spread it deliberately. Nothing would, in fact, be gained by doing so. It should not be overlooked that the deliberate use of myxomatosis might well give rise to a relaxation of the more traditional methods of control which still have an important part to play. These, my Lords, are the logical reasons for not making any change in the law as it now stands, but there are also humanitarian reasons. Her Majesty's Government believe that it would be as repugnant to the vast majority of the people of this country to allow this unpleasant disease to be spread artificially as it was in 1954 when the legislation prohibiting it was enacted.

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

My Lords, I should like to thank my noble friend for his considerate reply, which I think is a very acceptable one. Since he has raised the question of humanitarianism, I wonder whether the Agricultural Departments could be asked to publish an authoritative veterinary report showing how much pain is inflicted by nature on the animal which suffers from this disease and which appears to go on feeding happily till it dies. Also, is my noble friend aware that the main objection appears to be to the animal's disgusting appearance, but that rabbits do not have any looking-glasses?

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, it is very difficult to issue an authoritative report on this matter, because there must be a lot of conjecture. There are a great many thoughts about this disease but nothing is 100 per cent. known. For instance, a rabbit which has the disease will carry on eating and, in certain circumstances, will carry on mating. But, on the other hand, a rabbit which has the disease will definitely flinch when it goes through undergrowth. It is thought that there is certainly a great deal of discomfort, but to what extent there is pain nobody can quite say. It is very difficult to tell in an animal. If my noble friend were, say, to put down a question for Written Answer one might be able to expand on this matter a little. But I do not think anyone can give any categorical rules as to how much pain there is.

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend.

LORD VIVIAN

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether he is quite sure that myxomatosis is not introduced into certain areas in Scotland, mainly in Sutherland?

LORD DENHAM

No, my Lords, I am not quite sure; but we have no reason to assume that it is being introduced. If my noble friend thinks that he knows of any cases, I shall be very glad to hear of them.

LORD GLADWYN

My Lords, can the noble Lord say how much money has been saved by the withdrawal of grants from rabbit clearance societies?

LORD DENHAM

Half a million pounds, my Lords.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he is aware that in some parts of the country, including Epping Forest, rabbits seem to have been immune to myxomatosis? Can the noble Lord say why?

LORD DENHAM

Yes, my Lords. To a certain extent I can say why; but again we do not know very much for certain. There are certain strains of this disease which are not very virulent and these, if they do not kill the rabbit, will give it immunity for a certain length of time. There is some thought at the moment that it may be that immune strains of rabbits are being produced, though here again we are not quite certain, and research is being done on it.

BARONESS PLUMMER

My Lords, can the noble Lord tell us whether we can get any guidance from the Ministry to help us eliminate rabbits, because they are corning back in full strength?

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, I can give the noble Baroness quite a lot of guidance myself on this subject, but I do not think this is quite the time or the place to do so.

BARONESS PLUMMER

My Lords, would not the noble Lord agree that although we are doing our share in this matter it is not improving the situation at all? The rabbits are still coming back in full strength, and we need further research and guidance on this matter.

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, if the noble Baroness applies to the appropriate authority, I think she will find that she will get all the guidance that is available.

LORD RAGLAN

My Lords, could the noble Lord say whether any prosecutions have been brought for spreading myxomatosis; and, if so, how many, and when?

LORD DENHAM

Yes, my Lords, I could say, and the answer is, No.