§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action his Department will take to implement the Dunnet report on badger control.
§ Mrs. Fenner[pursuant to her reply, 28 April 1986, c. 314]: The Government have already modified their badger control operations in response to Professor Dunnet's report. Action against badgers is now being confined to that part of the breakdown farm where it is believed that tuberculosis was transmitted to cattle, or to the whole farm if it is not possible to be more precise. It may still be necessary to go on to neighbouring land to find setts so as to assist the identification of badger runs leading to the breakdown farm. A consequence of this change should be that fewer badgers will be killed.
We are considering the other detailed recommendations in Professor Dunnet's report and seeking the advice of the Consultative Panel on Badgers and Bovine Tuberculosis.