§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for licences under section 4 of the Badgers Act 1991 he has received; how many such applications he has approved; what procedures he has laid down for dealing with such applications; what criteria he uses in determining such applications; and if he will make a statement on the operation of the Act.
§ Mr. MacleanAs at 23 November, the Department had received 23 applications for licences under section 4 of the Badgers Act 1991, and one licence has been granted. The Government are currently considering the criteria to be laid down for the granting of licences by the agriculture departments. Until these criteria have been decided licences are being issued only where there is a serious risk to public safety or to animal health.