§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what advice he has given to private forestry companies to ensure against disturbance or destruction of active badger setts during forestry operations;
(2) what steps he has taken to protect active badger setts from disturbance or destruction by planting, timber harvesting or other operations on Forestry Commission land.
§ Mr. CurryBadger setts are not on the whole vulnerable to damage from forestry operations, since they are characteristically large, subterranean and in well-drained soils. The Forestry Commission nevertheless endeavours to locate all the badger setts on its land so that they can be protected from any possible damage. It has also published forest nature conservation guidelines, for use by its own forest managers and those in the private sector, which emphasise the importance of good management in protecting animal populations.