HC Deb 13 March 1970 vol 797 cc407-8W
Mr. Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the farming community about Warfarin-resistant rats; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. George Thomas

I have received no such representations but there has been correspondence during the past four years between the National Farmers' Union and officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on this subject. In December, 1968, the union's county branches directly involved asked the Ministry to continue its holding operations in Montgomery and Shrop-shire designed to slow down the outward spread of Warfarin-resistant rats while research continued to find alternative poisons, and they were informed that their views had been noted. The operations have, in fact, been continued but a reappraisal of the situation is currently being made.