§ Mr. Freudasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had regarding the removal from the list of protected birds of the collared dove.
§ Mr. StrangSome representations have been received to this effect. Additionally, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's Advisory Committee on the Protection of Birds has lately recommended that the collared dove should be placed on the Second Schedule to the Protection of Birds Act 1954, so as to assist owners and occupiers concerned to deal more effectively with collared doves that are causing damage. My right hon. Friend intends to advertise this proposal, and in the light of such representations as may then be made he will consider whether to lay the necessary order under the Act.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of annual crop damage occasioned by collared doves.
§ Mr. StrangReports by my Department's field staff indicate that collared doves have been causing local damage both to growing and harvested crops; but no realistic estimate can be made of national losses of this kind attributable to this particular bird.