§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many mink farmers have been prosecuted for allowing mink to escape into the wild since 1979 under(a) the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 and (b) the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
§ Mr. MacleanNo prosecutions have been taken by the Ministry under the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 since 1983, the first year for which records exist.
Enforcement of the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is the responsibility of the police. Details are not held centrally, but I am not aware of any recent prosecutions.
§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many mink farms in the United Kingdom have closed in 1988–89; and what measures his Department is taking to dicourage the breeding of mink.
§ Mr. MacleanThe number of licensed mink farms in the United Kingdom has varied in recent years, as follows:
The Government do not encourage or discourage mink farms, but seek to ensure that they keep mink securely and humanely.
Number 31 March 1988 54 31 March 1989 61 20 February 1990 50