§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of badger baiting there have been in Essex in each of the last three available years; and what action is being taken to enforce the laws against badger baiting in Essex.
§ Mr. Charles WardleI have been asked to reply.
In 1988 there were seven prosecutions and one conviction in Essex under the Badgers Act 1973, although it is not possible to say how many of these involved alleged cases of badger baiting. There were no prosecutions under the 1973 Act in Essex in 1989 or in 1990, the last year for which statistics are available.
The enforcement of the law in Essex is an operational matter for the chief constable.