Written question asked by Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative) on Tuesday, 4 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 November 2003. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 November 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will estimate the annual economic loss sustained by the agricultural sector from infestation by (a) rabbits, (b) voles, (c) rats and (d) mice. - Inc figures.

Answer: Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the annual economic loss sustained by the agricultural sector from infestation by (a) rabbits, (b) voles, (c) rats and (d) mice. [137253] Mr. Bradshaw: In the 1980s the Department estimated the total cost of rabbit damage to agricultural crops in Britain to be approximately £100 million per annum. The Central Science Laboratory has derived a current estimate, based on extrapolation from the 1980s, of approximately £115 million per annum with the total cost of rabbit control activity being approximately £5 million per annum. There are no figures available for economic losses to the agricultural sector caused by voles, rats or mice, as Defra does not collate these data.

Secondary information