§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much cyanide has so far been used in the present programme of extermination of 131W badgers in the counties of Avon, Gloucestershire, Dorset and Wiltshire.
§ Mr. StrangAbout 11 cwt. equivalent of active cyanide.
§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how long he expects the present programme of gassing badgers to continue; and how many of those killed have been found to be suffering from tuberculosis.
§ Mr. StrangWe expect that it will be necessary to continue the programme for some years, but on a declining scale as the incidence of tuberculosis among badgers is reduced. As sets are sealed during gassing, it is not possible to give the numbers of infected badgers killed.
§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that the larger quantities of cyanide at present being used to exterminate badgers in the West Country will have no long-term harmful effects on other animals and local residents.
§ Mr. StrangWe are satisfied that these operations will have no such effects. The procedures adopted are designed to eleminate all risks. Gassing is not undertaken until clearance has been obtained from local water authorities and environmental health departments.