§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether staff employed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are instructed to report to the police any instance they come across of suspected illegal poisoning of birds or other animals by farmers, landowners or people employed by them, and whether they will remind such staff, particularly those who undertake advisory visits to farms, of their obligation immediately to report such cases to the police.
The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Ferrers)As I stated in my reply of 29th March, officers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are, like any other citizens, expected to report to the police any suspected criminal activity that they may come across in the course of their official duties but which is not the direct responsibility of the department. The appropriate staff will be reminded of their obligation in the particular circumstances to which the noble Lord refers.