HC Deb 04 April 1989 vol 150 cc48-50W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his Department's guidance in the use of strychnine compounds includes reference to the use of such poisons for the control of wild rabbits.

Mr. Ryder

My Ministry's guidance makes it clear that strychnine may be used only for the control of moles. We take a very serious view of any abuse of strychnine to poison other creatures.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria have to be met by individuals wishing to obtain permission for the purchase of strychnine compounds for pest control purposes.

Mr. Ryder

Authorities to purchase strychnine are issued under the poisons rules only if the applicant demonstrates a need for strychnine for the destruction of moles, is a competent and suitable person, and does not occupy land on which moles are dealt with by a rabbit clearance society. The authority is limited to the amount of strychnine needed to deal with the infestation.

Company Subject
Management consultancy contracts awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 1988
Deloitte, Haskins and Sells Survey on fees to local veterinary inspectors
Deloitte, Haskins and Sells Relocation of work study
Agro—Economic Services Ltd. Study of impact of single market on agricultural research and development priorities
Computer consultancy contracts awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 1988
Kerridge Computer Company Ltd. Transfer of work to new computer
Wootton Jeffreys plc Transfer of project control system
Learmouth and Burchett Management Systems Farm survey system full study
Touche Ross Management Consultants
Deloitte, Haskins and Sells
Asterisk Computer Systems Ltd. Support to regional administrauve data flow pilot project
Quanta Learning Systems
Pergammon Infotech
Godfrey Durham
Logica UK Ltd. Support to national food survey project
Asterisk Computer Systems System development for Harpenden laboratory
Asterisk Computer Systems System development for legal branch
Spicer and Oppenheim Financial system study for National Institute of Agricultural Botany, Cambridge
Oracle UK Transfer of work to new computer
Keith London Associates
PA Consulting Services Ltd. Agricultural Development and Advisory Service IT sub-strategy study
Fisheries sub-strategy study
Deloitte, Haskins and Sells Cost awareness information system development
Deloitte, Haskins and Sells Technical consultancies
Nolan Norton and Co.
Software AG of UK
Deloitte, Haskins and Sells IT strategy review

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether strychnine alkaloid has any approved agricultural uses.

Mr. Ryder

Strychnine alkaloid is not approved for agricultural use under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986.