§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps will be taken to compensate land owners for damage done by unidentified people in connection with field trials involving badger testing.[73358]
§ Mr. MorleyAs part of its voluntary agreement with farmers participating in the randomised badger culling trial, DEFRA has a signed commitment to pay reasonable compensation for damage to crops and property directly caused by operations carried out, and measures taken under the agreement. Claims arising out of damage caused by third parties are considered on a case by case basis and any payment is made on an ex-gratia basis.
In practice the principal target of anti-trial protest has been Departmental property, including traps and vehicles, and field staff. Police support for trial operations is extensive and acts as a deterrent against damage to landowners' property.
§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what precautions badger field trials testers are taking to avoid being followed on to test sites. [73359]
§ Mr. MorleyAll field staff receive instruction on procedures designed to reduce the personal risk associated with carrying out work on the badger culling field trial. This covers the risk of being followed by field trial protestors to field locations, to the office or to their homes.