HC Deb 08 June 1993 vol 226 cc217-8W
Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 30 March,Official Report, columns 140–41, on licences for the entry of dogs into badger setts, what other methods of fox control were tried; and how successful they were.

Mr. Redwood

Before submitting the application for a licence, the applicant had attempted to deal with the problem by other means including the use of snares and night shooting but with only limited success. This was taken into account in determining the application.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 30 March,Official Report, columns 140–41, on entry of dogs into badger setts, whether ADAS visited the site prior to the licence being issued.

Mr. John Redwood

Yes. ADAS was also present when the licensed activity took place and has made two subsequent visits to the site which indicate that there has been no adverse effect on the local badger population.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 30 March,Official Report, columns 140–41, on entry of dogs into badger setts, what were the permitted methods of interference under the conditions of the licence; how many dogs were permitted to be used; and what precautions were taken to ensure that there were no badgers present before dogs were entered.

Mr. Redwood

The licence conditions enabled one dog to be entered into a part of the sett considered by ADAS wildlife experts to have been previously abandoned by badgers.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 30 March,Official Report, columns 140–41, on licences for the entry of dogs into badger setts, what was the nature of the alleged problem with foxes in the area; how many foxes were involved; what claims the licence applicant made about lamb losses; and what evidence is available concerning the responsibil-ity of foxes for lamb losses.

Mr. Redwood

Thirteen lambs had been killed over a period of 10 days. Although it was clear from description of the damage that foxes were responsible, it was not possible to determine how many foxes were involved.