§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what poison he intends to use against foxes in the event of an outbreak of rabies; what trials have been conducted to test the effectiveness of any particular poison; how many foxes were recovered dead from these trials; and what other species of animals or birds were poisoned.
§ Mr. Bidwellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department has issued advice for destroying foxes by leaving strychnine poisoned fowl heads around; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerRabies control legislation provides for the destruction of foxes in the event of a rabies outbreak. It permits the use of poison as a method of destruction, having regard to the internationally recognised fact that the fox could be a major transmitter of the disease.
The Government's eradication plans take account of the need to use strychnine in a rabies infected area. However the Chemical Defence Establishment has been commissioned to produce an alternative poison based upon carbamate which acts on the brain and degrades rapidly. Laboratory tests on this were promising and early this year an initial field trial was held at Kirkcudbright under rigorous controls. Interested organisations, including welfare and conservation groups were informed.
The results of the trial using buried bait are currently being assessed. Nine foxes were found dead after the trial and there was some evidence of small rodents taking the bait. Marks were made where baits were buried and baits not used were removed from the trial area. I confirm that 171W full advice has been prepared on all matters arising in relation to control measures which would be taken in the event of an outbreak.
§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what poisons have been or are currently being used for killing foxes.
§ Mrs. FennerThe Agriculture Act 1947 permits the gassing of foxes in their earths for pest control purposes. Hydrogen cyanide has occasionally been used in this way, but is no longer recommended by my Department.