HC Deb 25 July 1988 vol 138 cc61-2W
Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information his Department has on the number of badgers that are killed each year.

Mr. Moynihan

[holding answer 22 July 1988]: No records are kept of badger deaths. However, the Nature Conservancy Council estimates that several thousand are killed annually on the roads. This is the major cause of human-induced mortality of badgers.

Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the operation of the Wildlife and Countryside (Amendment) Act 1985 concerning the protection of badgers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Moynihan

[holding answer 22 July 1988]: Yes. The amendment Act strengthened the protection of badgers by reversing the burden of proof upon a defendant, who will be presumed to have committed an offence unless he can show otherwise in cases of the alleged unlawful taking, injuring or killing a badger and in cases of alleged digging for a badger. This remedied a significant weakness in the Badgers Act 1973 and was an important step forward.

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