asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated number of livestock killed by dogs for the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

During 1978, the last year for which figures are available, approximately 5,700 livestock were reported to have been killed by dogs in Great Britain. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 now imposes a specific requirement on owners to control their dogs when in the vicinity of sheep, and my Department continues to publicise the common sense preventive measures that can be taken by dog owners.