§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they propose to take in response to Professor Dunnet's recommendation that the current practice of releasing lactating female badgers taken in control operations should be discontinued.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)My right honourable friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Wales fully understand the reasons which led Professor Dunnet to make his recommendation. Having taken the views of the Consultative Panel, we know that they accept that on disease control grounds there is a strong case for its adoption. However, many panel members have expressed over-riding reservations on ethical and humanitarian grounds about any change to existing policy. We know too that there is widespread public concern on this issue.
Having taken full account of these views and after very careful consideration, we believe that, on balance, the existing policy is right and have decided that it should be continued. Thus any lactating females taken between 1 st January and 30th April will continue to be released as will any females taken after the end of April which are likely to have entirely dependent cubs.