Vol. 421 No. 8
215 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the number of licences granted so far this year to move and snare badgers; whether such licences are granted covering the badgers' breeding season; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
This year to date my Department has received from the Wildlife Service of the Office of Public Works 116 licences to snare badgers. Some 87 of these licences were potentially operable during the breeding season, January to April. Licences to snare badgers during the breeding season are issued only in extreme circumstances and where all other possible causes of TB disease have already been eliminated.
