§ 81. Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Agriculture what plans he has for wholly exterminating rabbits by humane means in areas badly affected by myxomatosis.
Mr. AmoryThe responsibility for exterminating rabbits rests with the occupier of the land. I would, however, refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Horncastle (Commander Maitland) on 27th January.
§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Minister of agriculture, as it is an offence to spread myxomatosis deliberately, if he will also take steps to make it an offence to immunise wild rabbits against the disease.
Mr. AmoryI have no evidence that the practice of inoculating wild rabbits against myxomatosis is widespread, but in any case I am advised that it provides only a temporory protection against the disease.