HC Deb 15 March 1999 vol 327 cc545-8W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in how many research projects, since research on this subject began,(a) ferrets and (b) shot guns have been considered as a method of rabbit control; and what general conclusions were reached. [75626]

Mr. Rooker

Since 1991–92, the Ministry has funded three research projects which have incorporated information on ferrets and shot guns as methods for rabbit control. The projects involve one research group whose contracts have been extended for fixed periods following reviews of their work. The information on ferrets and shot guns includes results from research funded by other organisations. This research found that, for ferrets, rabbit populations were reduced by no more than 35 per cent. and, for shot guns, by only 30 per cent. Details for MAFF research for the period prior to 1991–92 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much his Department has spent on research on rabbits in each year since 1969; and how many research projects have been funded in that period. [75630]

Mr. Rooker

Information on expenditure on rabbit research from 1991–92 to 1998–99 was provided by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on 18 June 1998,Official Report, column 324. The estimate provided in that answer for 1998–99 has been revised to £572,000. Details for the period prior to 1991–92 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the (i) cost, (ii) start date, (iii) planned completion date and (iv) objectives of the research studies(a) developing a visual scaring device to deter rabbits, (b) developing a rabbit management system, (c) developing a method for assessing the size of rabbit population and (d) rabbit behaviour and population dynamics at fenced hot spots; and in the case of (a) what devices have been considered to date. [75624]

Mr. Rooker

The information is as follows(a) Developing a visual scaring device to deter rabbits.

  1. (i) £114,000 (total).
  2. (ii) 1 April 1998.
  3. (iii) 31 March 2001.
  4. (iv) To produce and test a prototype scaring device based on a light beam and adapted to prevent the development of habituation by rabbits.

The research is at early stage. Research to date has involved assessing the response of rabbits to light beams to provide a baseline against which to measure the effectiveness of anti-habituation techniques.

  1. (b) Developing a rabbit management expert system.
    1. (i) £619,000 (total).
    2. (ii) 1 April 1998.
    3. (iii) 31 March 2002.
    4. (iv) To produce yield loss models to calculate the losses caused by rabbits to spring barley and grass and to obtain additional data on rabbit populations to incorporate into an expert system.
  2. (c) Developing a method for assessing the size of rabbit populations.
    1. (i) £154,000 (total).
    2. (ii) 1 April 1998.
    3. (iii) 31 March 2001.
    4. (iv) To develop a method under controlled conditions for assessing rabbit abundance.
  3. (d) Rabbit behaviour and population dynamics at fence hot-spots.
    1. (i) £217,000 (total).
    2. (ii) 1 April 1998.
    3. (iii) 31 March 2001.
    4. (iv) To determine the effects of erecting fencing on rabbit population dynamics and ranging behaviour.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many research projects have been undertaken by his Department, and at what total cost,(a) on the effects of rabbit fencing in preventing crop damage by rabbits, (b) to determine effective methods of rabbit control, (c) to investigate the breeding habits of rabbits and (d) to examine the effects on population levels of allowing rabbits to breed unchecked; and what conclusion they reached in each case. [75628]

Mr. Rooker

(a) Six since 1991–92 at a cost of £869,000. This figure relates to whole project costs rather than the proportions of projects specifically addressing fencing. The results of research completed to date have been summarised in an advisory leaflet for landowners and occupiers; a copy of the leaflet has been placed in the Library of the House.

(b) Ten since 1991–92 at a cost of £1.3 million. This figure includes research on fencing. Reports on the results from these projects, where not already covered by my answer of 3 March 1999, Official Report, column 792, have been placed in the Library of the House; their project numbers are:

  • VCO204
  • VCO207
  • VCO208

Where projects have been extended, only the latest report has been placed in the Library.

(c) & (d) Three since 1991–92 at a cost of £390,000. These projects cover the development of mathematical models to identify cost-effective rabbit control strategies; they are therefore also included in the cost given in (b). Information on breeding habits and population levels is included in the models to achieve the primary aim of the research relating to rabbit control strategies. The conclusions were given in my answer on 3 March 1999, Official Report, column 792.

Details for the period prior to 1991–92 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of the research project, developing humane, environmentally acceptable and cost-effective methods of rabbit control; and what assessment it made of the use of ferrets as a means of rabbit control. [75623]

Mr. Rooker

This project has now ended and the total cost was £479,000. An assessment of the use of ferrets for rabbit control was not included.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many research projects have been undertaken by his Department which have involved predicting the effects of various rabbit populations on crops. [75627]

Mr. Rooker

Since 1991–92, the Ministry has funded seven projects involving prediction of the effects of various rabbit populations on crops; these have now all ended. They consisted mainly of the work of one research group whose contracts have been extended for fixed periods following reviews of the research.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of the research project, irreversible immunocontraception for the control of wild rabbits; and what was the proposed delivery method of the contraceptive. [75625]

Mr. Rooker

The cost was £178,000. The delivery method under consideration for the species-specific immunocontraceptive was an oral bait. Work is continuing on this topic under the project: "Antigen delivery systems for the control of wild rabbits". If an immunocontraceptive is developed, it will have to be approved under the Medicines Act 1986 and careful consideration will need to be given to all the issues surrounding its use.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made from the research which it has funded of the effects on (i) crops and (ii) young woodlands from a nearby rabbit population which is(a) light and (b) heavy. [75629]

Mr. Rooker

(i) This topic was covered in the completed research project: "Predicting damage to crops by rabbits". The results are being refined in the project: "Developing a rabbit management expert system". Details of this project are contained in my answer to the right hon. Member's question, ref.75624.

(ii) This completed research has been assessed as part of the Ministry' s normal review process. Results from MAFF' s research on farm woodlands is made available to farmers. The research was also publicised at a symposium in York on 8 October 1998 addressing MAFF R&D on farm woodlands since 1987. The symposium was attended by organisations with interests in farm woodlands as well as advisers and farmers.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what synopsis his Department has prepared of the conclusions of the research into the(a) effectiveness and (b) cost of legal methods of rabbit control; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [75622]

Mr. Rooker

A single synopsis has not been produced. However, three advisory leaflets based on the results of the Ministry's research on fencing and other control techniques have been produced for landowners and occupiers. Copies have been placed in the Library of the Hosue.