Mole-catcher sets sights on Europe

THE future of a Shaw mole-catcher will be decided by the European Parliament after a North-West Euro-MP vowed to “fight the EU juggernaut” and plead his case.

Peter Brown caught moles on 87 farms in Lancashire, Yorkshire and Derbyshire each year using strychnine — a common pesticide used by generations of mole-catchers spanning 70 years.

However, a controversial EU ruling means he has been banned from doing so.

Mr Brown has staged several protests outside the Stockport office of North-West Lib-Dem Euro-MP Chris Davies, who supports the ruling.

Now, the UK Independence Party’s Paul Nuttall — also a North-West Euro-MP — has agreed to address the issue with the European Union.

Mr Nuttall said: “I was appalled, but sadly not surprised, to learn about Mr Brown’s situation.

“This is how the EU juggernaut rolls on without thought for those flattened by it.

“Strychnine kills moles within 15 minutes — but alternatives such as trapping takes twice as long, while aluminium phosphide can take up to two days.

“The cost of aluminium phosphide is many times greater than strychnine — and is a two-man job.

“Mr Brown has been left high and dry by these rules, brought in under the Biocides Directive and has also drawn a blank in his claim for compensation.

“I intend to pursue this matter with the EU’s Petitions Committee which, under Article 194 of the EC Treaty, enables citizens to complain about EU matters which affect them directly.”

Mr Brown says he is angry at the way he has been treated. He highlighted a report showing that three children have died from aluminium phosphide poisoning.

He added: “I have been told so much contradictory information by various authorities and given misleading answers that I feel there is a cover-up going on.

“Moles are a pest because they push up soil which can then get into silage and cause potentially fatal listeriosis in cattle and sheep.

“Humans who eat infected meat can catch listeria.”