§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what further plans he has for preventing the poisoning of animals by sodium fluoroacetate 1080 as occurred recently at Merthyr Tydfil;
(2) what consideration he has given to the representation from the British Veterinary Association urging a total ban on fluoroacetates; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsThese representations were addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who informed the Association that my right hon. Friend had asked the Advisory Committee on Poisonous Substances used in Agriculture to advise whether any further restriction should be placed on the use of fluoroacetamide as a rodenticide. The Committee, after considering all the available evidence and taking into account the views of the Association, has advised my right hon. Friend that the use of fluoroacetamide and sodium fluoroacetate as rodenticides should be restricted to ships and sewers. This recommendation has been accepted, and a circular is being issued to local authorities.