§ Jeremy CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received concerning problems created by the urban fox population; and if she will make a statement. [71107]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 19 July 2002]: We have received a small number of representations concerning problems arising from the presence of urban foxes. The Department recognises that foxes can cause problems in urban areas and publishes advice to householders on managing fox problems. Responsibility for the control of foxes rests with those people who most benefit from such control, that is, individual property owners and occupiers, who may engage private pest control contractors to undertake this work. There is no statutory requirement for local authorities to control foxes in their areas.
§ Jeremy CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her latest estimate is of the total fox population of the United Kingdom, by region; and what the figures were in each of the past five years. [71114]
277W
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 19 July 2002]: The latest estimate of the fox population in the United Kingdom is taken from a CSL report published in 1997. In 1995 the total pre-breeding fox population in Britain was estimated to be 240,000, comprising:
Number England 195.000 Scotland 23.000 Wales 22,000 No more recent figures are available.