§ THE MARQUESS OF EXETERHer Majesty's Government whether they are aware that in each of a large number 480WA of dead pigeons found in the East Midlands there was enough nicotine to kill two men; that a number of animals have died thereby; that several human beings have had narrow escapes and that, because of their inedibility, shooting of pigeons will be greatly reduced.
EARL WALDEGRAVEI have seen reports about the circumstances to which my noble friend refers. I understand that two hounds of the Burghley Hunt pack died in circumstances that suggested that they had been poisoned. A post-mortem examination established that the hounds had died of nicotine poisoning and that the stomach of one contained pigeon remains. My right honourable friend is informed that the analyst who examined the hounds reported also that he found heavy traces of nicotine in some pigeons sent to him from the area. We have not been able to find out how the poisoned pigeons came to be there.
We have found no evidence of other pigeons having been poisoned with nicotine. I am sure my noble friend will realise how difficult it is to obtain precise information in happenings of this kind. If my noble friend has definite information that the deaths of pigeons from nicotine are, in fact, more widespread than we have so far been able to establish, and that other animals have died from eating them, I shall be most grateful if he can let me have it.
I have no reason to believe that the pigeons were accidently poisoned by picking up nicotine from agricultural crops; nicotine is seldom used nowadays, and in ordinary circumstances would not be used as early in the year as April.
I sincerely hope that the publicity this matter has received will not have had an adverse effect on pigeon-shooting as a measure of control, in view of the damage these birds can do to vulnerable crops.