asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that rabbits, which have increased enormously in numbers during the past few years, have caused immense damage to crops throughout the country, including rape and potatoes, crops not hitherto touched by this prolific pest; whether he is aware that farmers are powerless to cope with this evil; whether he would consider the advisability of using demobilised soldiers during the breeding months next season to shoot down the rabbits, killing thereby the unborn young, which method has proved most effective in Australia; whether he would consider the advisability of appointing Inspectors of the Department to investigate and report on the destruction done by this pest and on the loss to farmers resulting therefrom.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DESTRUCTION BY RABBITS.
SEAN O DUINNIN
Mr. HOGAN
I understand that during the last two years rabbits have become a serious pest and have done considerable damage to crops in some districts. I am informed that this was because rabbit warrens had not been systematically trapped, professional rabbit trappers being averse to carrying on their work in country districts owing to the disturbed conditions. For the same reason farmers have not been able to use guns, while farmers in many districts have reported that traps set by them have been stolen from their lands. In these circumstances, it can hardly be correctly said that traps, snares, and ferrets have not been effective in clearing away the rabbits. Enquiries have been made as to the methods used in other countries, more particularly in Australia, and those inquiries covered the use of poisons and of an apparatus for the fumigation of burrows, but the information obtained indicated that where the use of poison and fumigation had been successful the conditions were totally dissimilar to those obtaining in this country, and apart altogether from the dangers attending the use of poison, it was considered unlikely that good results would be obtained here from these methods. I have no information as to the value of guns as compared with poison but trapping, snaring, and ferreting are regarded in Ireland as the best means of destroying rabbits. It is not considered necessary to take steps to get cheap ammunition and to employ demobilised soldiers during the spring months of next season, because it is expected that, with the return of normal conditions, the trapping of rabbits on demesnes will be undertaken by owners or let to trappers as heretofore, that trapping by farmers will be again undertaken, and that as permits for the use of guns are being issued, farmers will be able to keep rabbits in check by shooting. It is felt that the putting into operation of all these measures will reduce the number of rabbits down to the point where the damage they will be able to do to crops will not be appreciable.
Where the circumstances warrant it, and the necessary information is given to the Department, the owners or occupiers of demesnes which are situated in proximity to cultivated lands will be approached with a view to making some arrangements for the systematic trapping of the rabbits thereon.
The suggestion in the last part of the question that proceedings for payment in lieu of rent, rates, etc., should not be taken against occupiers of holdings on which rabbits are numerous could not be considered.