§ Mr. Peter GriffithsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department is taking to identify the owners of mink which have escaped from licensed fur farms into the wild.
§ Mr. SoamesIf a mink that is believed to have come from a mink farm is captured, inquiries are made to establish its origin. Should evidence be presented that mink are escaping from a particular farm, Agricultural Development Advisory Service officers will be asked to visit the site to ensure security arrangements are satisfactory.
§ Mr. Peter GriffithsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given, following the approval of the Mink Keeping Order 1992, to bring forward proposals requiring animals farmed under licence to be identified by a tattoo or the implanting of a microchip to aid in the identification of animals caught in the wild.
§ Mr. SoamesNone. I have no plans to introduce such a requirement.