Written question asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 22 November 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 December 1999. It was answered by Chris Mullin (Labour) on Monday, 6 December 1999 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many ruddy duck have been shot by the Central Science Laboratory this season. - Includes figure.

Answer: Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many ruddy duck have been shot by the Central Science Laboratory this season. [99598] Mr. Mullin: The control trial is being undertaken in three areas of the country: Western Midlands, Anglesey where the control is all year round, and Fife, where the control is post-season only. The control trial does not focus on the numbers of birds culled, it looks at the wider picture of how the control is progressing given the various conditions, such as habitat, numbers of birds at each site, migratory movements, access to land, and number of site visits. However, between March and end of September 1999, with control only taking place in two of the regions, over 12 per cent. of the total national ruddy duck population was culled. At the conclusion of the first year, the contractors will produce a detailed report one aspect of which will be the number of birds culled.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 99598; 340 c424W;340 c422-3W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Birds Pilot schemes Pest control West Midlands Ynys Môn Fife Wild ducks
Contains statistics: Yes