New York study into fox impacts
A study into the impact foxes have on agriculture is currently being carried out at York University.
Rebecca Moberly's "An economic analysis of foxes in Great Britain" will focus on the true economic impact of foxes and will include details of the major cost and benefit impacts of the species in Britain.
Research will be carried out to ascertain the facts about stock losses to foxes as well as preventative expenditure. Formal economic analyses will be carried out to assess the value of the fox to farmers and gamekeepers. Also to be investigated are the potential outcomes of changes in fox population, agricultural practices and hunting legislation.
Another issue which will be looked at is the effect which shooting of foxes has on the livelihood of sheep farmers.
According to a report in BBC Wildlife Magazine, when a fox is shot, the fox which takes over the territory may be so unfamiliar with the area that it may initially pose a threat to sheep. The suggestion is that if foxes were left alone and not shot, they would get to know their territory and find their natural food sources.
Rebecca Moberly's research is expected to be completed in December 2001.
