asked the Minister for Lands if he will make arrangements whereby the Forestry Division of his Department will destroy all foxes in plantations adjacent to sheep farms.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fox Destruction.
55.
(Cavan): The Forest and Wildlife Service of my Department will co-operate as far as possible in any locally initiated scheme for the eradication of foxes and freely give facilities for entry on their lands to persons having a bona fide interest in the destruction of foxes. In addition, some experimental control measures are already being exercised at a number of State forests.
Would the Minister like to give details of the experimental control measures being operated by his Department?
(Cavan): I am sorry, I have not got the exact details of the experiments being carried out on this site at the moment, but I shall make inquiries and give the Deputy such information as is available.
Would the Minister also ask the Forestry Division to co-operate in every way possible with the county committees of agriculture with a view to the eradication of foxes adjacent to sheep farms?
(Cavan): I made a tour of quite a few of the forests last summer and I am satisfied that there is good co-operation between my Department and local interests, which, I presume, include the committees of agriculture, with regard to the distruction of foxes. The Forestry Division welcome people on their lands in the pursuit and destruction of foxes.
Would the Minister circularise the county committees of agriculture with proposals to eradicate foxes from these plantations?
(Cavan): I did not say that we initiate measures to destroy foxes, but we co-operate with local interests. I am sure that if the committees in question contact the local foresters in charge they will get all the information and co-operation they require.