§ Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the continuing damage to trees by grey squirrels; whether he will extend from Scotland to England and Wales the permitted use of Warfarin to deal with this pest; and what consideration he has given to charging rabbit clearance societies with the additional work of controlling grey squirrels.
§ Mr. John MackieRepresentations have recently been made by a rabbit clearance society and the National Trust. Before I could consider extending the use of warfarin against grey squirrels it would be necessary to conduct field experiments in England and Wales. Rabbit clearance societies may control grey squirrels on contract provided that this does not interfere with their primary task of dealing with rabbits.