§ Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food if he will introduce licensing, inspections, a code of practice and any other restrictions necessary to control the use under Section 19 of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1972 of the poison warfarin in the areas of Yorkshire where the grey and red squirrels overlap.
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§ Mrs. FennerMy right hon. Friend hopes soon to lay a draft order before Parliament permitting the controlled use of warfarin against grey squirrels in counties where there are no viable populations of red squirrels which might be put at risk. A recent survey showed that grey squirrels are now found throughout Yorkshire while red squirrels have disappeared except in one or two isolated places. It is not proposed to introduce a licensing system but there will be a strict code of practice designed to prevent risks to other wildlife where warfarin is used.