§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department has 149W responsibility for co-ordinating government responsibility for big cats. [17871]
§ Mr. MorleyA number of Departments have responsibilities in relation to "big cats". This Department is concerned with the safety of livestock, the Home Office for the safety of people and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions for the legal keeping of such animals by, for example, zoos and circuses. These Departments co-ordinate their actions according to the circumstances of the case.
§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many sightings of big cats in Norfolk have been reported to his Department since 1993. [17872]
§ Mr. MorleyI am aware that, in common with several other areas, there have been a number of alleged sightings of "big cats" in the Norfolk area. However, I am not aware of any attacks on farm livestock attributed to "big cats" in the Norfolk area being reported to this Department.
§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what compensation is available to farmers in the event of livestock being killed or injured by "big cats". [17873]
§ Mr. MorleyThere are no funds available to pay compensation to farmers in the event of livestock being killed or injured by "big cats".