§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what improvements his Department is considering for the extermination by gassing of badgers which he has now authorised; what are the totals of the first quota of badgers to be exterminated; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WigginFollowing my right hon. Friend's acceptance on 30 October of Lord Zuckerman's recommendations in his report on badgers, cattle and tuberculosis, agreement in principle has been reached with the Chemical Defence Establshment, Porton Down, for work to be carried out on the comparative toxicity of hydrocyanic acid gas in relation to badgers underground.
A total of 27 cases have been identified within the affected areas in the South-West where there is evidence of the disease in badgers linked with outbreaks in cattle. Preparations are being made for an early start to gassing sets where surveys have confirmed their continuing occupation. It is not possible to forecast how many animals will be in the sets when they are gassed.