HL Deb 02 April 1980 vol 407 cc1456-7WA
Lord UNDERHILL

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any gassing of badgers has been carried out in the South West since the meeting with representatives of the Dartmoor Badgers' Protection League on 25th October 1979, and if so whether further gassing has been confined to setts previously gassed or whether there has been any gassing of setts not previously gassed.

The MINISTER of STATE, MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES and FOOD (Earl Ferrers)

In accordance with the undertaking which was given by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 25th October 1979 these operations have been conducted only to the extent which was considered necessary in order to maintain freedom from bovine tuberculosis in the areas of South West England which had been cleared previously. During the period 25th October 1979 to 21st March 1980, 139 setts were re-gassed and II setts, all of which were associated with previous operations, were gassed for the first time.