Fur Farms (Hansard, 20 July 1994)

§ 1994. Mr. Morley
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the number of licensed mink farms in(a) 1964, (b) 1974, (c) 1984 and (d)

§ Mr. Soames
Information is readily available only from 1989. At 31 March 1989 there were 52 mink farms in England; at 31 March 1994 there were 12.

§ 1994. Mr. Morley
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will show the estimated number of arctic fox fur farms in the United Kingdom in(a) 1964, (b) 1974, (c) 1984 and (d)

§ Mr. Soames
The keeping of arctic fox is not subject to control in England, Wales and Scotland and information is not collected on the number of farms keeping this animal. In Northern Ireland, the keeping of arctic foxes is subject to licensing under the Arctic Fox (Importation and Keeping) Regulations 1988. No licences have been issued in Northern Ireland to keep this animal since the regulations came into force and information on the number of farms was not collected prior to the legislation being introduced.

§ Mr. Morley
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to her answer of 13 July, when it became Ministry policy not to discuss details of licences of mink farms; why this decision was taken; and if she will make a statement.

§ Mr. Soames
It has been Ministry policy over a number of years not to disclose details of licences of individual mink farms; this is to protect mink fur farmers from the attentions of individuals or organisations who might seek to disrupt by unlawful means the activity of licensed fur farming.