§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her Written Ministerial Statement on 3 March 2003,Official Report, column 71WS, how much additional money she will be spending on future research work into the ruddy and white-headed duck populations. [101381]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 10 March 2003]The Department has completed the ruddy duck control trial and will spend an additional £100,000 this financial year on research work into refining control methods for the ruddy duck. Further research will be undertaken in 2003–04. Final decisions have not yet been taken on the allocation of the research budget, but the expected expenditure is around £250,000. We also propose to participate in a white-headed duck workshop to be held later this year in Morocco. The workshop will consider various control methods used on ruddy ducks throughout Europe and North Africa.