Written question asked by Lord Blencathra (Conservative) on Thursday, 4 March 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 March 1999. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Monday, 15 March 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment his Department has made from the research which it has funded of the effects on (i) crops and (ii) young woodlands from a nearby rabbit population which is (a) light and (b) heavy. - Including ref to 15 March 1999, 327 c545-6W and research project: Predicting damage to crops by rabbits and Developing a rabbit management expert system.

Answer: Mr. Maclean: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made from the research which it has funded of the effects on (i) crops and (ii) young woodlands from a nearby rabbit population which is (a) light and (b) heavy. [75629] Mr. Rooker: (i) This topic was covered in the completed research project: "Predicting damage to crops by rabbits". The results are being refined in the project: "Developing a rabbit management expert system". Details of this project are contained in my answer to the right hon. Member's question, ref.75624. (ii) This completed research has been assessed as part of the Ministry's normal review process. Results from MAFF's research on farm woodlands is made available to farmers. The research was also publicised at a symposium in York on 8 October 1998 addressing MAFF R&D on farm woodlands since 1987. The symposium was attended by organisations with interests in farm woodlands as well as advisers and farmers.

Secondary information