§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he is considering any new method of destroying infected badgers following the recent meeting of the consultative panel on the subject;
(2) what methods are presently being used to catch badgers suspected of spreading tuberculoses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerFollowing the decision taken last year by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and myself to suspend the use of gassing as a means of badger control, the consultative panel on badgers and tuberculosis, after urgent consideration, advised that live trapping was a practicable and humane means of control. It emphasised that trapping would allow the collection of more scientific data. Its advice was accepted.
Organisations which have shown an interest in this problem were also invited to give their views on future methods of controlling tuberculosis in badgers. The consultative panel has now had the opportunity to consider the views submitted and have concluded that, provided it was kept under constant review, live trapping should continue to be the main method of badger control. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have considered this further advice and have also accepted it.