HC Deb 16 April 1962 vol 658 cc14-5W
80. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the anxiety still felt by many bird lovers and others because of repeated reports of the widespread poisoning of birds resulting from the use of certain toxic compounds as dressings to protect seed grain, he will publish in some detail the reports he has received from his field officers in each of the main arable areas covering the 1961 autumn sowing period, when these toxic compounds were still recommended for use against wheat bulb fly, and the spring sowing period now ended.

Mr. Vane

My right hon. Friend intends to publish as soon as possible a report of the Ministry's survey of wild bird deaths covering the autumn 1961 and spring 1962 sowing seasons, which will summarise the information received from various areas. Few deaths from toxic chemicals were reported in those seasons.

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