HC Deb 09 February 1993 vol 218 cc549-50W
Mr. Hanson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current estimate of the badger population in the United Kingdom; and what is the source of this estimate.

Mr. Soames

It is currently estimated that there are about 250,000 adult badgers in mainland Britain. The source of this information is "The History, Distribution, Status and Habitat Requirements of the Badger in Britain" by Cresswell, Harris and Jefferies (1990), commissioned by the Nature Conservancy Council.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will suspend the culling of badgers pending completion of his Department's review of controlling bovine tuberculosis.

Mr. Soames

I have no plans to do so.

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