§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will specify the circumstances in which he is prepared to grant licences to fox hunters to attack occupied badger setts with spades and dogs.
§ Mr. SoamesThere are no circumstances in which I would be prepared to grant a licence allowing fox hunters to attack an occupied badger sett with spades and dogs. However, the legislation provides that licences may be issued for interference with a badger sett for the purpose of controlling foxes in order to protect livestock, game or wildlife. I announced on 14 October that, in exceptional circumstances, a licence may be issued which would permit a dog to be entered into a badger sett to flush out a fox.