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By Selena Masson, News Editor, Shooting Times
Monday, 05 November 2007
The rural rat population has exploded and could have a devastating effect on the countryside, pest experts and conservation groups have warned.
A survey by the National Pest Technician Association (NPTA) has revealed that the brown rat population has increased by 39% every year since 1999.
The influx has been caused by a succession of mild winters which has extended the rodent's breeding cycle and the torrential flooding earlier this year forced unprecedented numbers above ground.
The CLA's Dorothy Fairburn commented that rats were responsible for damaging grain stores and presented a real threat to wildlife: "Ground-nesting birds are particularly at risk, which means an increasing rat population will, in all likelihood, have a devastating effect in the spring."
It is feared government plans to introduce controversial 'pay as you throw' charges for domestic waste removal could further fuel the rat population.
"It seems ludicrous the government hasn't abandoned new legislation that might encourage people to illegally fly-tip waste or leave more rubbish on the streets," Miss Fairburn added.
The rest of this article will appear in 8 November issue of Shooting Times.
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