HC Deb 27 June 1957 vol 572 cc56-7W
Captain Kerby

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that more than 50 birds have recently been picked up dead on two farms in south-eastern England and that a postmortem examination of some of these showed that they had been poisoned by seed corn dressed with toxic chemicals; and whether, in view of these facts, and bearing in mind the findings of the Zuckerman Committee and previous reports of other birds and animals dying as a result of eating food dressed with toxic farm chemicals, he will take steps to render illegal the sale of all such chemicals.

Mr.Godber

Several reports that dead birds have been picked up on farms in south-east England have been received this year but post-mortem examinations have failed to establish the cause of these deaths and it has not been possible to determine conclusively whether dressed seed corn was responsible.

As recommended by the Zuckerman Working Party, the possible harmful effects of toxic chemicals on birds, animals, and wild life generally are being kept under close review.