Wild Mink (Hansard, 22 June 1995)

Mrs. Michie
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the damage done to marine birdlife by wild mink. [29624]

§ Sir Hector Monro
My right hon. Friend has received advice from Scottish Natural Heritage on the impact of mink on Scottish wildlife. The species is an active predator and established itself in the wild after escaping from mink farms as long ago as 1929. Research results indicate that the mink has generally not had a serious effect on our wildlife although there remains concern about its possible effect on some colonies of ground-nesting seabirds.

Mrs. Michie
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance his Department has issued to relevant authorities on the control of wild mink populations; what controls are already in place; and where they are being carried out. [29621]

§ Sir Hector Monro
Guidance on the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 was issued in 1991 in a circular to local authorities and other relevant organisations. Under that Act it is an offence to release mink or to allow mink to escape into the wild. The Mink (Keeping) Regulations 1975 also apply strict requirements to mink farming to prevent escapes from adding to the wild mink population. In addition there are voluntary efforts to trap mink by groups such as the Argyll bird club and the Harris and Lewis mink control group.

Mrs. Michie
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated population of wild mink in(a) Scotland (b) Argyll and Bute for the years (i) 1992, (ii) 1993 and (iii) 1994. [29623]

§ Sir Hector Monro
It was estimated recently that there are some 50,000 wild mink in Scotland. Further details requested are not available.