§ 32. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to produce a satisfactory virus to wipe out as painlessly as possible the again increasing rabbit population.
Mr. AmoryI understand that, apart from myxomatosis, there are no prospects of a virus being produced that would be effective against rabbits only.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many persons have been prosecuted to date under the Pests Act for wilfully spreading myxomatosis; and how many fines have been imposed for first and second offences against this Act.
Mr. AmoryI am aware of only one case where proceedings were instituted under Section 12 of the Pests Act, 1954, against two persons for the deliberate spreading of myxomatosis. Both defendants were found not guilty.