Badgers (Hansard, 25 March 2004)

§ Mr. Paterson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how badger fecundity changes where food supplies are freely available, irrespective of population density. [158361]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
Badger fecundity is positively correlated with autumn body condition. In environments where food is plentiful, such as south and south-west England, a badger social group may produce several litters each year. Alternatively, in poorer environments, such as upland areas of Scotland, only one litter may be produced per social group per year.

§ Mr. Paterson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether population stress in specific badger social groups triggers migration. [158365]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
Movements of badgers between social groups is a natural phenomenon. However, rates of movement may differ relative to population density, among other factors. It is generally believed that badgers move between social groups more frequently in lower density and disturbed populations.

§ Mr. Paterson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the effects are on badger populations when changes in habitat occur which reduce the carrying capacity of the environment to a level below that of the existing population levels. [158377]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
No studies have been conducted that address this question.