§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the level of illegal seal culling in fish farming areas.
§ Mr. LangAny evidence of a suspected offence under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 in Scotland should be reported to the police or procurator fiscal. The outcome of any subsequent proceedings is a matter for the courts.
The Scottish Salmon Growers Association has developed, in collaboration with various wildlife conservation interests, including the Nature Conservancy Council, a code of practice on salmon farming and predatory wildlife. This was published in February this year and lays down the general policy, which my right hon. and learned Friend welcomes, that shooting or other methods of destructive control must be considered only as a last resort. In relation to seals, the code of practice emphasises that the killing of a particular animal may be considered only after reasonable measures have been taken to exclude seals from salmon farms.