§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the(a) State Veterinary Service and (b) Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals about the re-homing of captured foxes. [138378]
§ Mr. Bradshaw[holding answer 13 November 2003]The release of foxes and other wild animals from animal rehabilitation centres is an issue that is being considered as part of our consideration of the proposed Animal Welfare Bill. We hope to be able to propose that animal rehabilitation centres should be licensed and required to operate to a code of practice, including provisions for a code for the release of wild animals. Discussions on the rehabilitation of wild animals have included representatives of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the State Veterinary Service.