§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they no longer consider it necessary to maintain electrified grids at each entrance to the Channel Tunnel to deter animals from entering the tunnel. [HL2532]
§ Lord WhittyThe Government have removed the requirement for electrified grids for two main reasons. First, the threat of rabies being introduced via animals entering the Channel Tunnel from France has substantially receded since 1993 due to the successful measures taken by the French, Belgian and German Governments to reduce the incidence of rabies in wild foxes. Secondly, the electrified grids installed did not function satisfactorily without creating human health and safety hazards.
The Government are satisfied that there are a number of other measures in place that would prevent the passage of animals through the tunnel.