§ Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to take action to make illegal the use of gin traps in rabbit burrows.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe gin trap is the only practicable method of destroying rabbits in certain types of burrows. The Sawyer trap is too big for use in such burrows and the use of gas would be impracticable. Wild rabbits cause enormous damage to agriculture annually and, in the interests of food production, it is essential that these pests should be destroyed by every available legal means. The sawyer (humane) traps is not available in sufficient quantity to replace the gin trap to any appreciable extent and will not be so for some considerable time. Only one firm is producing this trap, which is still being subjected to field tests. New legislation would be necessary to make the use of gin traps illegal. In order to encourage a greater use of gas for destroying rabbits, an arrangement has been in operation for the past eight years whereby farmers are able to purchase gassing powder for destroying rabbits at one half the normal retail price.